Gubernatorial candidates answer questions
The New Jersey Catholic Conference submitted questionnaires to both major party candidates for New Jersey governor, Sen. Jon S. Corzine and Douglas Forrester. The questions and the candidates responses are listed below. The questions were not necessarily in an order of priority and the candidates were allowed to supplement their answers to each question with a statement not to exceed 50 words.
Q 1. Thirty-nine (39) percent of all renters in New Jersey earn 30 percent or less of the regional median income. For a family of four, this translates into $18,000 in Salem and Cumberland counties, $24,000 in Essex and Union counties, and $27,600 in Somerset and Middlesex counties. More than half of these families pay over half their income in rent. Despite the problems they are facing, little or no new affordable housing being created with public resources is directed to help very low-income renters. Do you agree that at least a quarter of the housing built using state resources should address the needs of these families? ____Yes ____No
Corzine: I have proposed a comprehensive plan, available on my Website, to make housing in New Jersey more affordable. In this plan, I’ve committed to refocusing existing resources to increase the supply of housing available to very low-income households. I have also proposed doubling funding for the State Rental Assistance Program.
Forrester: Yes
Q 2. This year (2005) the Legislature and the Acting Governor enacted legislation to expand NJ Family Care Program coverage to most children, and reinstate the enrollment of parents by phasing them in over a three year period for those earning income of 100% of the Federal Poverty level in year one, 115% in year two, and 133% in year three. Given that there are 1.4 million uninsured people in New Jersey, would you support increasing the income level for parents to 250% of the FPL, reinstating single adults and married couples without children at 100% of FPL? ____Yes ____No
Corzine: I am a strong advocate for expanding FamilyCare and I have opposed the Bush Administration cuts to the program. I have proposed a comprehensive health care plan that includes universal health care access for all children and pregnant women and offering “buy-in” options for families who do not currently qualify.
Forrester: Yes
Q 3. Would you support legislation that replaces the death penalty with life without any possibility of parole? ____Support ____Oppose
Corzine: Yes. My position on the death penalty has always been clear – I oppose the death penalty. I support life imprisonment — without the possibility of parole — for certain heinous crimes, such as murder or terrorism.
Forrester: Because of problems highlighted recently with the accuracy of the judicial process, I am considering such an option.
Q 4. Would you support legislation requiring a woman considering having an abortion to be fully informed concerning the abortion procedure to be used and the possible maternal health hazards involved? ____Support ____Oppose
Corzine: I believe women should be fully informed of the risks involved in any medical procedure. This is currently the responsibility of any doctor practicing medicine in New Jersey.
Forrester: Yes
Q 5. Would you support a constitutional amendment requiring notification of the custodial parent of a minor daughter prior to obtaining an abortion?
Corzine: Minors should talk to their parents before making this choice, and most do. Alternatives should exist, however, where communication isn’t possible or where it would endanger a young woman. Young women must be given the full opportunity to receive counseling from clergy or other professionals and be offered a judicial bypass.
Forrester: I support parental notification, but a constitutional amendment is not the appropriate tool.
Q 6. Do you support legislation to provide equitable school transportation options for nonpublic school pupils? ____Support ____Oppose
Corzine: While I wish it was possible to provide public support for the transportation of all children, the fiscal realities of the state require that those funds be allocated to the safe transportation of public school children. The state should continue to publicly support private education where appropriate.
Forrester: Yes
Q 7. Do you support the inclusion of nonpublic school students and parents in educational choice initiatives using:
a. educational tax savings accounts?
____ Support ____Oppose
b. tuition tax credits?
____Support ____Oppose
c. education scholarships or vouchers?
____Support ____Oppose
Corzine: I support charter schools. I do not, however, support private school vouchers or other initiatives that would reduce resources for public schools. Private schools and home schooling are a great resource, and if elected, I will work with this community to ensure that all students receive a high-quality education.
Forrester: a) Yes, b) No, c) I support scholarships for needy students in failing schools to ensure they have access to a good education.
Q 8. Do you support the inclusion of nonpublic school parents in educational choice initiatives limited to urban areas?
____ Support ____Oppose
Corzine: I intend to improve urban public school performance and I will fight to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in the system. I support creating a new State Comptroller, a separate elected office with the power to investigate school spending. I also support ending pay-to-play at all levels of government.
Forrester: Yes
Q 9. Do you agree that marriage is the union of one man and one woman? ____ Yes ____ No
Corzine: I support equal treatment under the law for all citizens. I do not support a legislative mandate that would change the definition of civil marriage in New Jersey.
Forrester: Yes
Q 10. Do you oppose public funding for human embryonic stem cell research? ____ Yes ____No
Corzine: I support government funded embryonic stem cell research in order to seek cures for diseases that afflict thousands of our fellow citizens. Such research must be conducted under strict ethical guidelines. The investment in our state’s research institutions will expand economic opportunities, protecting New Jersey’s claim as the “cure corridor.”
Forrester: Yes – New Jersey is not in a financial position to fund stem cell research.
What is the New Jersey Catholic Conference?
The New Jersey Catholic Conference is composed of the Catholic bishops of the Latin Rite dioceses, the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic and Our Lady of Deliverance Syriac Catholic Diocese. Under the leadership of its president, Bishop John J. Myers, archbishop of Newark, the conference’s major objective is to provide a means by which the bishops may speak on matters of public policy. In expressing the views of the Church, the conference addresses a wide range of issues in the areas of morality, health, welfare, education and human and civil rights.
(Publication of this information is intended for voter education as permitted by the Internal Revenue Service guidelines on political campaign activity. There is no intent to endorse or oppose any particular candidate. Neither the questions, nor the candidates responses have been edited.)
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law