TWO REPUBLICANS COMPETE FOR STATE SENATE SEAT; JUST ONE TO ADVANCE PAST JUNE 6 PRIMARY

Currently running for the District #16 Republican senatorial seat are Dave Duncklee, Waukon, and Mark Zieman, Postville. The two candidates seek to replace Lyle Zieman, due to retire pending the end of his present Senate term. As both are Republicans, just one of the candidates will progress past the June 6 primary. Below is a brief poll of questions asked both men in a written Waukon Standard interview.

1. With the aging of our school buildings and physical plants, and a lack of funding in many school districts to address needs for repair or replacement, what would you conclude as a feasible solution?

Duncklee:
The 2000 assembly passed a fifty million dollar, three year program to assist in school building/renovation/maintenance funding. These are matching funds (up to 80% of the cost) earmarked for schools in counties that do not have sales tax used for education. (This is a part of the “Vision Iowa” program funded from gambling revenue and includes $300 million for tourist attractions. I would have preferred these numbers be reversed since our children should have a greater allotment than our tourist attractions.) All schools in District #16 qualify. That is a start, but it does not address the need to build new schools. One option might be a state general fund incentive - say 20% of new building costs - to encourage local districts to pass school bond issues.

Zieman:
The state has offered some help through Vision 2000. Therefore, the school districts that have done a good job of keeping their physical plants and buildings in good shape will now have to support those who haven’t. I feel it is the responsibility of the local districts to keep their facilities up to date.

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2. How do you feel about term limits in state government and, if applicable, what limits should apply?

Duncklee:
I would oppose term limits for any office except President. If we have a quality representative, the local voters, not state or national government, should decide if they will be returned to office.

Zieman:
Term limits are in place every election. Term limits replace as many good public servants as poor ones.

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3. Some consideration has been afforded to the simplification of state income tax forms, as well as a decrease in taxes statewide to be competitive with neighboring states. What are your thoughts?

Duncklee:
Tax simplification should be implemented at all levels. As for lowering the state tax rate, this complex issue requires that one look at all taxes, including property, sales, fuel, livestock and auto license fees. An immediate way of lowering our tax rate would be to eliminate federal tax deductibility, but the taxpayers bottom line would remain the same - the 2000 Legislature considered this option but failed to pass it. The only way to truly cut taxes would be to reduce spending.

Zieman:
Iowa runs about in the middle as far as taxes are concerned. A bigger concern to Iowans and District #16 will be holding the line on taxes. Two years ago Iowa had a 900 million dollar surplus; as of July, 2001, it will be gone.

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4. How would you see large livestock confinement operations best regulated?

Duncklee:
Large livestock operations will have to be controlled much like industry is now. Their waste will have to be monitored, controlled and disposed of properly. While livestock waste is less toxic than some industrial waste, its distribution will still require careful monitoring to avoid excess concentrations in the environment.

Zieman:
Iowa has laws in place. If the laws are followed, problems should be minimal. There will always be conflicts, unfortunately.

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5. Do you support mandatory ethanol usage in Iowa? If so, in what way do you propose to support such legislation?

Duncklee:
Mandating the use of any product is taking the power of government too far. However, all government vehicles could be required to use gasohol and government agencies and officials could promote its use in their contacts with industry and other government agencies. At the present price of fuel, gasohol actually costs over two cents per gallon less than gasoline, thus the industry itself may be more inclined to promote gasohol to increase profits.

Zieman:
I don’t support mandatory ethanol usage. I do, however, support mandatory availability and incentives to use it, such as price. We need incentives, not mandates.

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6. What state support or regulation would you propose in an effort to prevent or alter siltation and chemical run-off entering the Mississippi?

Duncklee:
Problems with the Mississippi generally fall under federal jurisdiction, however, the state presently provides financial incentives for the use of buffer strips and other anti-erosion techniques which I favor. The herbicide and pesticide producers have also reduced the half-life of their products so the long-term effect is much less today than it was just ten years ago.

Zieman:
The buffer program being funded by the state goes in the right direction. Farmers are very conscious of chemical run-off and are regulated as to how much they can put on. I’m very concerned about chemical run-off from our cities because chemical rates on lawns can be many times greater than on agricultural land. Storm sewer discharge goes directly to rivers and streams.