League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH March 2, 2004 Election
	Todd Brian Portune Answers Questions Candidate for Commissioner; County of Hamilton; 4 Year Term Starting 1/2/05; Democratic Party

The questions were prepared by the LWV Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. What are your qualifications for office?

My extensive life's experiences, including my family life with my wife of fifteen years, three children including a special needs daughter, successfully overcoming serious health challenges, and over 20 years of private business experience have instilled in me a faith grounded, common sense, and battle tested outlook that, when coupled with over eleven years of high profile legislative experience in matters involving thousands of employees, billions of dollars and affecting sometimes a million or more people, assures that every decision I make as your County Commissioner will be made for the best interests of this region.

2. How would you implement your top priority?

1. Eliminate the fragmented communications system; fix our Emergency Warning System; fund the recommendations of the Homeland Security Commission; integrate a flash flood early warning system; fully implement the county citizen corps; coordinate sheriff patrols to augment local police against high crime areas; implement a program to provide for safe pathways and safe houses for children to and from school and recreation.
2. Eliminate Business personal property tax; fund FIRST SUBURBS business district enhancement; coordinate public works improvements; reduce real property tax in five different ways; create a public policy around tax abatements that supports job and business growth in targeted Hamilton County communities.
3. By restructuring MSD Capital Plan speed up sewer fixes and eliminate seweage in basement problems quicker; Fund Fernald Health Committee and monitor DOE cleanup - opposing current effort to soften clean up requirements; expand prosecutor's office in area of environmental enforcement including an Environmental Court; coordinate private and public health initiatives to eliminate gaps in health care disparities and to reduce our infant mortality [babies who die before their first birthday] rate to below the national average in five years.