Bertrand opposes three-term legislator Wendt
By Bret Hayworth , bhayworth@siouxcityjournal.com | Posted: Saturday, November 01, 2008
In the Iowa House District 2 race, incumbent Democrat Roger Wendt is running for re-election, opposed by Republican Rick Bertrand. House District 2 comprises the downtown and north side of Sioux City.
Name: Rick Bertrand
Party: Republican
Age: 38
Residence: Sioux City
Occupation: Regional manager for biotech company Takeda North America, owns Tarini Wines with wife Tammy
Biographical info: Bishop Heelan High School 1988 graduate, bachelor's degree from University of Northern Iowa in 1993, has worked for biotech firms in professional career, first living in Atlanta and Madison, Wis., then returning to Sioux City in 1997.
Electoral Experience: First run for elective office
Three main issues for 2008:
1. Lowering taxes
Bertrand supports lowering personal income and corporate taxes, citing Iowa with the highest corporate rate in the nation at 11 percent. He said that makes it hard for Iowa to compete for business with adjacent states. On state income tax, he will push for an across-the-board tax cut, and perhaps a reduction in the number of tax brackets.
2. Cutting budget
He said state department heads have a "use it or lose it mentality," where if they see available money near the end of the fiscal year, they'll spend it on nonvital projects out of fear for not getting similar revenues next year. Bertrand said department heads should cut such "waste" of about 2 to 4 percent in their budgets.
3. Protecting personal freedoms
He cited the Iowa Legislature "overreaching with selective protectiveness" with the statewide smoking ban passed in 2008. "The government's job is not to protect us from ourselves."
Why vote for me:
Having reached the middle of his professional life, Bertrand said he's got a diversity of experience helpful in serving as a legislator. "(Wendt's experience) is all in education and right now we are in (tough) economic times and we need businesspeople down there... What makes me a unique candidate is not just experience, but the diversity of my background."
Name: Roger Wendt
Party: Democrat
Age: 74
Residence: Sioux City
Occupation: State representative, retired educator
Biographical info: Seward (Neb.) High School 1951 graduate, bachelor's degree from Wayne State College, two advanced degrees from University of South Dakota, 44-year Sioux City education career, nine as a teacher and 35 as administrator.
Electoral Experience: Won House positions in 2002, 2004 and 2006
Three main issues for 2008:
1. State economy
Wendt said Iowa's economic future will be aided by better job opportunities, which can be advanced by expanding job training programs for high-tech and green collar jobs. Additionally, he said cutting commercial property taxes will improve the state economy.
2. Education
He said good strides for education have come under his House Education Committee leadership, but the goal on voluntary access to preschool for 4-year-olds should be continued in the ongoing multi-year endeavor. Wendt said the goal is to have 90 percent of 4-year-olds take preschool. For higher education, Wendt said university tuition increases should be kept to no more than the annual cost of living percentage.
3. State budget
"We need to maintain a balanced budget, while helping Iowans rebound from the terrible flooding of 2008." Wendt said the Senior Living Trust Fund and rainy day fund need to be replenished. He said state spending growth over the last two years is sustainable "if economic development efforts keep our economy moving."
Why vote for me:
"I'm a proven leader in the Iowa Legislature, by serving as the House Education Committee chairman. When you look at it, education is about 60 percent of the state budget, so it's a real leadership position. I'm also on the Ways and Means Committee, which has to do with taxes and spending and fees."
Name: Rick Bertrand
Party: Republican
Age: 38
Residence: Sioux City
Occupation: Regional manager for biotech company Takeda North America, owns Tarini Wines with wife Tammy
Biographical info: Bishop Heelan High School 1988 graduate, bachelor's degree from University of Northern Iowa in 1993, has worked for biotech firms in professional career, first living in Atlanta and Madison, Wis., then returning to Sioux City in 1997.
Electoral Experience: First run for elective office
Three main issues for 2008:
1. Lowering taxes
Bertrand supports lowering personal income and corporate taxes, citing Iowa with the highest corporate rate in the nation at 11 percent. He said that makes it hard for Iowa to compete for business with adjacent states. On state income tax, he will push for an across-the-board tax cut, and perhaps a reduction in the number of tax brackets.
2. Cutting budget
He said state department heads have a "use it or lose it mentality," where if they see available money near the end of the fiscal year, they'll spend it on nonvital projects out of fear for not getting similar revenues next year. Bertrand said department heads should cut such "waste" of about 2 to 4 percent in their budgets.
3. Protecting personal freedoms
He cited the Iowa Legislature "overreaching with selective protectiveness" with the statewide smoking ban passed in 2008. "The government's job is not to protect us from ourselves."
Why vote for me:
Having reached the middle of his professional life, Bertrand said he's got a diversity of experience helpful in serving as a legislator. "(Wendt's experience) is all in education and right now we are in (tough) economic times and we need businesspeople down there... What makes me a unique candidate is not just experience, but the diversity of my background."
Name: Roger Wendt
Party: Democrat
Age: 74
Residence: Sioux City
Occupation: State representative, retired educator
Biographical info: Seward (Neb.) High School 1951 graduate, bachelor's degree from Wayne State College, two advanced degrees from University of South Dakota, 44-year Sioux City education career, nine as a teacher and 35 as administrator.
Electoral Experience: Won House positions in 2002, 2004 and 2006
Three main issues for 2008:
1. State economy
Wendt said Iowa's economic future will be aided by better job opportunities, which can be advanced by expanding job training programs for high-tech and green collar jobs. Additionally, he said cutting commercial property taxes will improve the state economy.
2. Education
He said good strides for education have come under his House Education Committee leadership, but the goal on voluntary access to preschool for 4-year-olds should be continued in the ongoing multi-year endeavor. Wendt said the goal is to have 90 percent of 4-year-olds take preschool. For higher education, Wendt said university tuition increases should be kept to no more than the annual cost of living percentage.
3. State budget
"We need to maintain a balanced budget, while helping Iowans rebound from the terrible flooding of 2008." Wendt said the Senior Living Trust Fund and rainy day fund need to be replenished. He said state spending growth over the last two years is sustainable "if economic development efforts keep our economy moving."
Why vote for me:
"I'm a proven leader in the Iowa Legislature, by serving as the House Education Committee chairman. When you look at it, education is about 60 percent of the state budget, so it's a real leadership position. I'm also on the Ways and Means Committee, which has to do with taxes and spending and fees."
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Julie wrote on Nov 3, 2008 11:35 AM:
Age Matters wrote on Nov 1, 2008 8:35 PM:
mv wrote on Nov 1, 2008 9:23 AM:
Faith Based wrote on Nov 1, 2008 9:21 AM: