Campaign info
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Candidate questions
Is there any additional experience you believe qualifies you for the position? 14th Congressional District, Director of Constituent Services, 2001-2007
What would your priorities be if elected to this office? Our district just like the rest of the state, it has been hit hard by our economic slowdown and the failures of Springfield and the continuing corruption keeps our state from being more competitive. The best way to start putting us back on track is to bring the values of the people of the 25th senate district, that I hold near and dear, to Springfield. Hard work, self-reliance and personal responsibility are the core values of my friends and neighbors and the corner stone that this nation was built on. While I served in the United States Coast Guard I learned that no one is alone in his actions but everyone must take responsibility to themselves.
The further we get away from these values the more trouble we seem to get ourselves in. We need leadership that will serve our needs in the 25th district. That means the repeal of our crushing taxes, regulation reform and the end of pay to play politics that have become second nature to us as Illinoisans. I want Jobs returned to my district and the state, I want honesty to be the watchword of the day and I want people to be in control of their own money and destiny.
What sets you apart from the other candidates? My Track Record. I have had the pleasure of serving as Blackberry Township Supervisor in Kane County for the last 3 years. When I ran for Supervisor I made one promise-to be fiscally conservative with taxpayer’s money-and I have delivered on my promise. Blackberry Twp. has a balanced budget, no debt and money in the bank.
But the thing I am most proud of, as Supervisor, Blackberry Twp. has lowered the property tax levy from the maximum for the past three years. That means when residents pay their property taxes, we have kept a few more dollars in their pocket. We need someone in Springfield that has a track record of cutting spending and lowing taxes.
Official name of your campaign committee: Friends of Dave Richmond
What should first be done by the state to keep businesses that have strongly voiced the possibility of leaving, such as CME and Sears? I support lowering the tax rate for families and businesses. This will reduce the need for sweetheart deals like the C.M.E. and Sears. Our state has a horrific record of picking winners and losers and we cannot subsidize the legislature's desire to purchase political favors with taxpayer dollars.
That said we need to look at things that will make it easier to do business here in Illinois. For example Workman's compensation insurance for my business is twice what it would be in Indiana. This is a system where reforms have been “attempted” however the political will for real change is non-existent.
Further we need to look at reforming junk law suits in a way that allows for wrongs to be redressed but without turning the legal system into a cash cow.Our state must live within its means and that means reforming the budget process.
We need to have a system of projections as to where we are going, a zero- based budget and freezing spending to pre-Blagojevich levels and using any surplus to pay bills and shore up pension short falls.
What should the government do to create more jobs? I believe that reforming our regulatory and revenue systems is the best way to bring jobs back to Illinois. We were struggling before the recession because of all of these factors and they have only exacerbated the situation. As I have stated before, reasonable Workman’s compensation, junk law suit and tax reform is the starting ground.This is only part of the solution.
We must encourage small business growth in Illinois. This is made significantly harder when tax deals are balanced on the backs of families and those small businesses. This is symptomatic of the larger corruption problem our state faces. It is estimated that the “corruption tax” paid by each and every citizen of our state is in excess of $500 million.
This discourages businesses from starting here who do not have the political clout over their counterparts; ensuring that the most connected, not the most worthy will succeed. This is wrong and can be easily addressed thought implementation of the Collins Commission’s recommendations.
What are your philosophies on social issues such as same-sex marriage and abortion, and what should government’s role in those issues? I believe that marriage is between a man and a women, and that life begins at conception.
Do you support a gaming bill that would increase the number of casinos or other gambling venues in Illinois? Should a casino be built in Chicago? I am open to discussing just about anything except raising taxes, however; I feel that this is to some extent a false argument.
New gambling revenue cannot be counted on to close the state’s budget gap. We need only to look at the reduction in revenue that the Elgin and Aurora casinos have seen in recent years from the expansion of more casinos to understand that more gambling does not mean more money in local economies.
That said, I believe that people have the right to do with their money as they choose. Further I believe that any gambling expansion should treat Chicago no differently than any other municipality. If choice is the give Chicago a casino and allow Chicago to control it, then my answer is 100% NO.
What do you suggest for property tax relief? Start by electing fiscally responsible leaders. I have shown this in Blackberry Township. We didn't go out and buy things we did not need so that when times got tough, we had money in the back. That means we didn't have to raise property taxes. We need to elect leaders that a fiscally responsible who don't raise taxes just because they can. We have to do better with what we have.
Should the state consider consolidating school districts? What would be the best way to accomplish this in your legislative district? I support the idea of consolidation wherever it is feasible and it leads to increased transparency and efficiency. I am not sure that eliminating school districts is the best thing but I am open to discussion testimony and study.
Should the state legalize marijuana? No.
Are there ways to reform the legislative scholarship program, or would you support calls to eliminate the program? I would support the immediate repeal of this program. There is too much temptation for these to be used as political tools rather than a furtherance of education. I would not award these scholarships if elected.
Who are your political heroes and why? Abe Lincoln and Ronald Reagan. When adversity knocked on their front door they stood up and made a stand. Not because it was the popular thing to do but because it was the right thing to do. I have tried to model myself and live my life by that very same mentality. I don't just speak up when it is election time, I stand on my principles. I work for what I believe in. I do not sway just because I might have a contested election or because some people are against me. I will always fight for whats right and what is needed.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony, sued successfully or had a restraining order placed against you? If so, please explain. No
