Candidates' Debate: 2016

L to R:  Rep. Terry Nealey, Senator Mark Schoesler, Steve Simmons, Mary Dye, Rick Jansons,
Gary Downing, Rebecca Francik, Rep. Larry Haler, Rep. Brad Klippert.
Not Shown: Senator Sharon Brown, Jennifer Goulet, Bill Jenkin

BFSRA hosted its most recent Candidates' Debate at its Septermber luncheon, September 26th. In attendance were representatives and senators representing each of the three different legislative districts (the 8th, the 9th and the 16th) found in the Benton/Franklin counties. Following you will find a comment or two made by each: 

District 8, position 1: Challenger, Rick Jansons - President of the Richland School Board. "I will not vote for things that take away what has been promised." 

District 8, position 1: Incumbent, Brad Klippert - Regarding maintaining PERS 2 & TERS 2 retirement plans for futures school employees, Klippert said, "We can't make promises here, it depends on future legislative sessions." 

District 8, position 2: Incumbent, Larry Haler - "You should not have to sacrifice your healthcare to suuport our (the legislature's) budget." Regarding maintaining PERS 2 & TERS 2, "Options are being considered in the legislature." 

District 8, position 2: Challenger, Steve Simmons - "I can be very supportive of all your issues. We need to support and show appreciation of teachers, and we need to hire good teachers."

District 9, position 1:  Mary Dye - "We (the legislature) made a commitment and we need to find meaningful ways to meet those commitments." 

District 9, position 1:  Jennifer Goulet - not present.

District 9, position 2: Joe Schmick - runs unopposed, was not present.

District 9, Senator: Mark Schloesser - "I am the only person in the room who can be held accountable for the m ost complicated pension system in the U.S." "The merger of LOEF 1 and PERS I would free 3 Million/biennieum for legislative priorities, LOEF 1 members would receive cash payouts, 50 Million more wold flow into local school districts, PERS 1 would recieve 100% funding in two years, and the COLA could then be returned." Later he commented, "Don't promise anyting you can't deliver on." 

District 16, position 1: Challenger, Rebecca Frankcik - active teacher.  "The legislature should honor pension obligations without reducing other state funded programs." 

District 16, position 1: Incumbent, Bill Jenkin - not in attendance. His report delivered by Susan Webber.  "The teacher's pension system should not serve as the 'piggy bank' when state needs funding for other programs." 

District 16, position 2: Challenger, Gary Downing - "Everyone one of these issues are my issues. I will work for you. If the legislature had done its job they wouldn't be offering excuses today."

District 16, position 2: Incumbent, Terry Nealy - "You have my support, but when it comes right down to voting, it gets difficult. We make sure you don't go backwards. The COLA will be difficult this year. PERS 2/TERS 2 - we have to take a hard look at it. If we can find a way to save money we have to do that." 

Kudos to BFSRA President Helen Bakshas and Legislative Committee, Jim and A.J. Foster, and Elaine Banks for a well presented debate.