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Political forum: Cornwell, Nix discuss needs of taxpayers |
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Wednesday, 07 May 2008 |
The three local residents who want to serve Arkansas House of Representatives District 28 outlined their thoughts during Political Forum 2008 on Tuesday night at the Royal Theatre in Downtown Benton.
Two Democrats, incumbent Lamont Cornwell and challenger Barbara Nix, will meet in the May 20 Democrat primary. Republican David McCoy also was given the opportunity to speak at the event, but is unopposed in the Republican primary.
The moderator, state Sen. Shane Broadway of Bryant, addressed two prepared questions to each of the candidates, including whether they would base their votes on the desires of constituents or on the knowledge they gain from debate on the floor of the House.
Cornwell, who is seeking a second term, said a representative is elected “to serve the citizens of District 28” and should vote according to the citizens’ concerns when they are known. When he isn’t aware of area residents’ views, Cornwell said he consults other county officials who are knowledgeable of the issues. “But sometime you call home and no one answers,” he said. “You have to stand alone.”
While the debate on the floor can give the representative knowledge, “you have to consider how the bill will affect the people here,” Cornwell, 60, said.
He said he also bases all his decisions on his “moral compass, life’s compass and experience compass.” And, he added, his “faith compass.”
“It’s mind-boggling what has to be done,” sometimes quickly, he said.
Nix, 58, a teacher at Benton Junior High School, said elected representatives “should always listen to their constituents. However, a representative is sent to the Capitol to read bills and listen to the debate. Many times the bill’s title may be misleading.
“I want to have full knowledge of any issue ... ,” Nix said. “Communication is a key ingredient.”
Nix’s endorsements in-clude the Benton Education Association, of which she is president; Benton Associa-tion of Support Staff; Arkansas Education Associa-tion; Benton Fire Depart-ment’s Local 2765, Interna-tional Association of Fire-fighters; Benton Lodge 63, Fraternal Order of Police; and her latest, which she announced at the forum, the AFLCIO.
She said her primary goal as a state representative from District 28 would be “to pass legislation that will improve the conditions in this district, the state of Arkansas and the lives of the people who live here.”
The candidates were asked the two most important issues facing legislators.
Nix cited health care and education. “The state must continue to look for ways to make health care more affordable for Arkansans,” she said.
She said she “would research other states as to what they are doing that is beneficial in regard to health issues.”
Citing her 37 years in the teaching profession, Nix said that “education has been and will continue to be an important issue in our state.”
Pointing out that “the cost of higher education has skyrocketed,” she said she believes the formula for funding higher institutions needs to be reevaluated.
“In other words, are our students in college getting the most from the money the state as well as the students themselves are investing?”
She said steps have been taken to assure “accountability in grades 1-12 in the last five years,” adding that “our institutions of higher education need also to be accountable for the people’s dollars. We do not want to price our children out of a college education.”
Cornwell said the two most important issues facing the Legislature are the economy and health care.
Citing two families with extraordinary medical concerns that he has assisted, he noted that efforts should be taken to help people who fall through the cracks in the system.
High energy costs concern Arkansans, Cornwell said.
“I will work on ways to help put money in your pockets,” he said, noting that alternative sources for energy, such as lignite plants, are being considered.
Nix addressed a query to Cornwell.
Referring to the current high price of electricity imposed on Benton citizens through a recent rate increase, she asked why, with Cornwell’s professional background in utility companies, he did not work out the problem at the time he served as chairman of the Benton Public Utility Commission.
Cornwell said today that he was not serving as chairman of the panel at the time the 53 percent rate increase went into effect, but said city officials had an opportunity to buy electrical power from Entergy, its longtime supplier, for a longer period, but chose not to do so.
When the rate increase was enacted, city officials were faced with locating an electric supplier within a relatively short time and were able to secure a supplier that provided rates comparable to those of Entergy and First Electric Corp. customers, in spite of the rates being significantly higher.
At the time the current rates were obtained, the city of Benton was acting as a singular customer, but now has joined with North Little Rock and 13 other cities for future negotiations in selecting power sources.
“The days of cheap energy are gone,” he said. “We have to look at new ways to generate power.”
In her closing remarks, Nix said: “As one of you, I understand the problems facing today’s families, working people and senior citizens. The people in District 28 deserve the best and, if elected, I will work hard to be the best representative for you because I truly care.”
Cornwell said he wants to “go back” to the Legislature and finish the job he has begun as the District 28 representative.
“I believe we will be judged by how we take care of people with special needs ... and my job is to serve the people here. I’m not afraid to roll up my sleeves and continue to work for you.”
McCoy, a Benton attorney, said a representative, in keeping with the name of the office, is elected to “be just that.”
The representative is “elected to speak for you, to be someone you trust ... to protect your rights and share your values.”
Deciding how to vote still remains “a balancing act,” he said, pitting the consensus of the people with the legislator’s knowledge gained from debate on the House floor.
McCoy said he will focus on eliminating taxes and diverting funding already available. He said he opposes a “spend-and-tax” system that is controlled by “the good ol’ boys.”
He also said there is “no greater thrill than to represent your home town.”
“I’m not afraid to take a stand on issues,” he said. “I will hit the ground running. I want to be your voice and stand for your interests.”
The forum is co-sponsored by the Courier and Courier TV 95.
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