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LWV League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund

Smart Voter
Hamilton County, OH November 2, 2004 Election
Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues
State Representative; District 30


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

See below for questions on Qualifications, Top Priority, Pressing Issue, State Revenue shortfalls, Education Funding, Tax Reform, Transportation

Click on a name for other candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.


1. What are your qualifications for office?

Answer from William J. Seitz:

  • Twice elected State Representative
  • Chairman, House Civil and Commercial Law Committee
  • Twice elected Green Township Trustee
  • Elected to Cincinnati School Board
  • Former President, Hamilton County Township Association, Western economic Council, and Westwood Civic Association
  • Partner, Taft, Stettinius & Hollister
  • Former Board Member, St. Antoninus Parish Education Committee

Answer from Ann "Thompson" (Franks) Thompson:

A lifetime of service and experience; Family, Leader, Manager, Business owner, Educator, Member and Volunteer. I am an organizer, fiscal manager, negotiator, and Patriot. I bring honesty and integrity to the table. I can help solve the budget and school funding problems.


2. How would you implement your top priority?

Answer from Ann "Thompson" (Franks) Thompson:

Make each bill stand on it's own merits - no pork. Make schools perform more efficiently.

Answer from William J. Seitz:

Allow more levy millage to grow with property inflation; do not impute to local districts money they do not collect; and give fixed-income homeowners an income tax break if their school property taxes exceed a specified percentage of their annual income.


3. What do you see as the two most pressing issues you would address if elected? What plans do you have relative to those issues?

Answer from William J. Seitz:

First, we need to improve the school funding formula by eliminating the "phantom revenue" aspect that forces local districts to seek more local millage than would otherwise be the case. This can be done by equalizing the 20 mill floor with the 23 mill chargeoff, and by passing circuitbreaker legislation affording fixed-income homeowners a tax break. Second, we need to let voters decide to approve slot machine gambling at horse tracks where Ohioans already gamble; otherwise, neighboring states' casinos will continue to profit at our expense.

Answer from Ann "Thompson" (Franks) Thompson:

The Ohio budget Equitable taxation Adequate funding of Schools


4. What are your suggestions for reconciling state revenue shortfalls with increasing costs for state services?

Answer from Ann "Thompson" (Franks) Thompson:

Close tax loopholes. Update tax base.


5. How much of public education should be funded by the state? Explain your answer.

Answer from Ann "Thompson" (Franks) Thompson:

Most funding should come through the state via equitable taxation, grants, parents.


6. What Ohio state tax reforms would you support to re-develop existing older communities?

Answer from Ann "Thompson" (Franks) Thompson:

Abatement for updating property.


7. What plans do you have to promote a more balanced transportation system in Ohio?

Answer from Ann "Thompson" (Franks) Thompson:

Would like to promote rapid transit within older metropolitan areas.


Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. The answers must not exceed 150 words. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.


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Created: December 15, 2004 13:41 PST
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