Questions from the Albany Democrat Herald, April 2002

Albany Democrat Herald: What’s the state’s biggest problem and what would you do about it?

Phil Barnhart: Education. We need to replace the billion dollars lost to Measure 5. We need to stabilize and increase k-12 funding. Reduce class size to ensure children learn the skills they need to succeed. Every child should be able to read by the end of the third grade.

Albany Democrat Herald: Should Oregon’s tax system be reformed? How?

Phil Barnhart: By cutting corporate tax loopholes and making the wealthy and corporations pay their fair share. The ordinary taxpayer already pays enough. We need a real rainy day fund for education, not Measure 13.

Albany Democrat Herald: Should state spending be raised or reduced, in which areas?

Phil Barnhart: For K-12, we need to replace the billion dollars lost to Measure 5. We also need to increase support of colleges and job training programs so Oregonians can succeed in family wage jobs. Prevention. By investing in programs such as early childhood education, substance abuse prevention, and adequate health services, we save money in the future by paying less for prisons, treatment of preventable diseases, emergency room visits, and addiction treatment programs.

Albany Democrat Herald: Would you favor a sales tax?

Phil Barnhart: No. Oregonians have made it clear that they don’t want a sales tax. We need to find other sources of state revenue.

Albany Democrat Herald: What is your principal cause in running for this office?

Phil Barnhart: I am passionate about improving Oregon’s education system so that our children can live their dreams and we can have strong families, healthy communities, and a growing, vibrant economy in the future.

Albany Democrat Herald: What should the legislature do to improve the Oregon economy?

Phil Barnhart: Improve our schools and make colleges and job training programs more accessible and affordable; maintain and repair our roads and bridges. We also need to encourage the development of high-speed internet services in all parts of the state. Finally, when we regulate, we need to balance the needs of businesses to thrive with the long-term health and safety of all Oregonians.

Albany Democrat Herald: What do you want voters to know or remember about you?

Phil Barnhart: That I devoted my energies to fixing our schools. I believe that better schools will be instrumental in producing better workers, better citizens, more stable families, and a stronger economy. This one area has a huge impact upon almost every other area of our communities, state, and nation.