Taylor seeks to oust Whitead in city district
By Bret Hayworth | Posted: Friday, October 31, 2008
In the Iowa House District 1 race, incumbent Democrat Wes Whitead is running for re-election, opposed by Republican Jeremy Taylor. House District 1 comprises west and northern parts of Sioux City.
Name: Jeremy Taylor
Party: Republican
Age: 30
Residence: Sioux City
Occupation: North High School English teacher
Biographical info: Sioux City West High 1996 graduate, bachelor's degree from Dowling (N.Y.) College in 1999, master's degree from University of South Dakota in 2005, teacher since 1999 in Vietnam, New York and Sioux City
Electoral Experience: First run for elective office
Three main issues for 2008:
1. Growing Sioux City's economy
Taylor said "out-of-control" state spending, which has grown nearly $1 billion or 16 percent in two years of Democratic control, must be reined in. He noted the Revenue Estimating Committee this month projected low state revenue growth, so Taylor said spending should be reduced and a property tax freeze enacted.
2. Preserving Right to Work
Taylor said Iowa's status as a Right to Work labor state must be maintained against Democrats seeking to have all workers, regardless of union status, pay union dues. He predicted the "radical expansion of collective bargaining" sought by Democrats in 2008 will be back as an issue in 2009.
3. Education
Taylor said his goal to "seriously reform education" includes not more state money directed to K-12 education, but a requirement that more money goes into classroom instruction and away from school administration. He said the state should mandate that 65 percent of operating school budgets goes for classroom instruction, teacher compensation and materials.
He also said "the practice of passing students from grade level to grade level" by social promotion regardless of academic ability must be stopped.
Why vote for me:
"I'll be a fresh, energetic voice and fight for Sioux City, above my party line or any special interest. I know what families are struggling with. I grew up in Sioux City and feel that Sioux City deserves to be represented well for the great city that it is."
Name: Wes Whitead
Party: Democrat
Age: 75
Residence: Sioux City
Occupation: Retired
Biographical info: Sioux City Central High School graduate in 1951, served in Army overseas in Korean War, worked at Sioux City Stockyards, as mechanic for a Caterpillar dealership through 1983, then operated own tractor repair business through 1997.
Electoral Experience: Won House seats in 1996 and 1998, lost re-election bid in 2000, then won seats in 2002, 2004 and 2006.
Three main issues for 2008:
1. Economic development
The state should continue providing incentives to companies in the renewable energy field, such as wind and biofuels, to create good paying jobs, Whitead said.
He said the targeted jobs withholding tax credit pilot program created in 2006 to aid border cities like Sioux City should be renewed in 2009.
2. Veterans issues
Whitead serves as vice chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and said the state needs to create a statewide data base of housing and medical services available for military veterans. He also supports creating a means to give preferences to veteran-owned businesses in bidding on state government project contracts, much like women or minorities now have.
3. Education
Since not enough Iowa 4-year-olds attend preschool, he wants a continuation of the state push for more access to quality preschools. In higher education, Whitead said colleges need to be made more affordable, via more financial support for community colleges and expansion of the Iowa Tuition Grants for students attending private colleges.
Why vote for me:
Whitead cited his life experience, where as a business owner he learned what it takes to meet a payroll and purchase medical insurance for employees.
He also cited service on the Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council and the city planning and zoning commission: "I know how to get communities to work together."
Name: Jeremy Taylor
Party: Republican
Age: 30
Residence: Sioux City
Occupation: North High School English teacher
Biographical info: Sioux City West High 1996 graduate, bachelor's degree from Dowling (N.Y.) College in 1999, master's degree from University of South Dakota in 2005, teacher since 1999 in Vietnam, New York and Sioux City
Electoral Experience: First run for elective office
Three main issues for 2008:
1. Growing Sioux City's economy
Taylor said "out-of-control" state spending, which has grown nearly $1 billion or 16 percent in two years of Democratic control, must be reined in. He noted the Revenue Estimating Committee this month projected low state revenue growth, so Taylor said spending should be reduced and a property tax freeze enacted.
2. Preserving Right to Work
Taylor said Iowa's status as a Right to Work labor state must be maintained against Democrats seeking to have all workers, regardless of union status, pay union dues. He predicted the "radical expansion of collective bargaining" sought by Democrats in 2008 will be back as an issue in 2009.
3. Education
Taylor said his goal to "seriously reform education" includes not more state money directed to K-12 education, but a requirement that more money goes into classroom instruction and away from school administration. He said the state should mandate that 65 percent of operating school budgets goes for classroom instruction, teacher compensation and materials.
He also said "the practice of passing students from grade level to grade level" by social promotion regardless of academic ability must be stopped.
Why vote for me:
"I'll be a fresh, energetic voice and fight for Sioux City, above my party line or any special interest. I know what families are struggling with. I grew up in Sioux City and feel that Sioux City deserves to be represented well for the great city that it is."
Name: Wes Whitead
Party: Democrat
Age: 75
Residence: Sioux City
Occupation: Retired
Biographical info: Sioux City Central High School graduate in 1951, served in Army overseas in Korean War, worked at Sioux City Stockyards, as mechanic for a Caterpillar dealership through 1983, then operated own tractor repair business through 1997.
Electoral Experience: Won House seats in 1996 and 1998, lost re-election bid in 2000, then won seats in 2002, 2004 and 2006.
Three main issues for 2008:
1. Economic development
The state should continue providing incentives to companies in the renewable energy field, such as wind and biofuels, to create good paying jobs, Whitead said.
He said the targeted jobs withholding tax credit pilot program created in 2006 to aid border cities like Sioux City should be renewed in 2009.
2. Veterans issues
Whitead serves as vice chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and said the state needs to create a statewide data base of housing and medical services available for military veterans. He also supports creating a means to give preferences to veteran-owned businesses in bidding on state government project contracts, much like women or minorities now have.
3. Education
Since not enough Iowa 4-year-olds attend preschool, he wants a continuation of the state push for more access to quality preschools. In higher education, Whitead said colleges need to be made more affordable, via more financial support for community colleges and expansion of the Iowa Tuition Grants for students attending private colleges.
Why vote for me:
Whitead cited his life experience, where as a business owner he learned what it takes to meet a payroll and purchase medical insurance for employees.
He also cited service on the Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council and the city planning and zoning commission: "I know how to get communities to work together."
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sciagirl wrote on Oct 31, 2008 4:36 PM: