House District 17: Sherrie Sprenger Candidate Questionnaire
Content
Statesman Journal mini-questionnaire for Nov. 2, 2010, General Election Thank you for responding to this questionnaire, which is for use by Statesman Journal Editorial Board members in evaluating candidates for potential endorsements. Your answers also will be shared with reporters, may be published in the print newspaper and will be posted on StatesmanJournal.com.
Name: Sherrie Sprenger House/Senate District Number: HD17 Party affiliation: Republican Age: 45 City/town of residence: Scio, Oregon Number of years you have lived in the district: Most recently, nine years Are you a full-time resident of the district? Yes Family (name of spouse/partner, number and ages of children if at home, number of grown children): Husband-Kyle Son-Austin, 13 Current employer/job: State Representative Employment, military and volunteer history: Deputy Sheriff, Grant & Benton Counties Small business owner Board of Director’s New Hope Pregnancy Center, Albany, Chair Civic/religious/other local involvement: Member, First Assembly of God, Albany, OR Member, Lebanon Chamber of Commerce Member, Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce Member, North Santiam Chamber of commerce Member, Stayton Area Chamber of Commerce Please list all public offices to which you’ve been elected, and when: Lebanon Community School District Board of Directors 2003 and 2007 State Representative 2008-current
Please list any unsuccessful candidacies for public office, and when: None Other political and government experience: Commissioner’s appointment, Linn County Compensation Board Governor’s appointment, Fair Dismissals Appeals Board How the public can reach your campaign (remember that this information will be public): Mail address: PO Box 702, Scio, Or 97374 E-mail address: [email protected] Web site URL: sherriesprenger.com Phone: 541-974-2720 How much will your general election campaign cost? (Please be specific about your campaign budget, not “as much as we can raise.”) Somewhere in the neighborhood of $40,000 Who are your top campaign contributors/lenders? (Please list at least the current top five and their total dollar amounts.) My contributors come from all walks of life. Those contributions that come from the average, maybe not politically minded constituent mean the most to me. Who are your key political advisers? (Please identify at least your top three.) Jennifer Waggoner, a friend and consultant, has been very supportive and influential to me. I actually really listen to my constituents; I figure they know what they are talking about. I have always run a very grassroots campaign. Key endorsements you’ve received: Oregon Farm Bureau Oregon Cattlemen’s Association Oregon Right to Life Melcher Logging, Sweet Home AG-PAC CommonSense for Oregon
Oregon Anti-Crime Alliance Sam Brentano, Marion County Commissioner Mayors of Stayton, Scio, Sublimity, and Lebanon Associated Builders and Contractors Independent Electrical Contractors of Oregon Marion County Farm Bureau National Rifle Association Oregonians for Food and Shelter Associated Oregon Loggers NFIB Oregon Forest Industries Council Stand for Children Oregon State Sheriff’s Association Oregon Nursery Association For each of the following questions, please limit your answer to about 75 words. 1. Have you ever been convicted of a crime, been disciplined by a professional licensing board/organization or had an ethics violation filed against you? If so, please give the details. No 2. Have you ever filed for bankruptcy, been delinquent on your taxes or other major accounts, or been sued personally or professionally? If so, please give the details. No 3. Describe this legislative district: I have an amazingly beautiful district with abundant natural resources. The people of my district epitomize Oregon’s pioneering spirit. My rural communities are or have been primarily timber dependent towns that struggle to maintain their heritage and way of life. Small businesses are the heart and soul with most businesses employing less than ten people. 4. What specific steps will you take to make government more open and accessible to the public? As State Representative I work diligently to connect my constituents to their state government. I hosted numerous industry specific events during the 2009 session with the purpose of engaging people in areas that affect their industry. My office spends a significant amount of time advocating to state agencies for my constituents. I cosponsored legislation to create greater accountability and transparency. The best part of my job is the time I spend in the district with my friends and neighbors. 5. Why should people vote for you? What separates you from your opponent(s)?
As your State Representative I have voted consistently, carefully and with common sense to reflect the values of my district. I said I would come to Salem and work against higher taxes and advocate for government accountability. I voted “no” on every tax increase and sponsored legislation that would cause government to be more accountable. I have established relationships throughout the district and with decision makers in Salem and have the experience to bridge the two. 6. What specific steps would you advocate to improve Oregon’s economy and create jobs? The first step is do no more harm. In a very difficult economy this legislature raised taxes on business and added regulation; that doesn’t make sense. On every piece of legislation we need to ask the question “Does this make doing business here easier or harder?” Important to my district is timber. I have worked diligently for the past year and a half to stimulate the biomass industry. 7. What changes, if any, would you advocate in the tax provisions created by Measures 66/67? One area to look at is the gross sales portion of the tax. While at my son’s football practice one evening another mother shared that her husband and her own a business that contracts with industrial plants to do the large maintenance during shut downs. She said they used to occasionally bid on jobs that wouldn’t really create a profit but they wouldn’t loose money and they could keep their workforce working. She said that can’t do that anymore because with the tax they actually loose money. So now they are forced to temporarily lay off workers which means a drain on state services. 8. What specific revenue changes, if any, would you advocate to balance the 2011-13 budget? The best revenue this state can acquire is income tax payments from employed people. Taxes are a very necessary part of our society, yet we have to be careful to generate them appropriately. A thriving state economy will create revenue because people will be earning an income and spending a lot of that money and paying a portion of that in income taxes. 9. What specific spending reductions, if any, would you advocate to balance the 2011-13 budget? Government has to continue to tighten its belt just like folks at home. We can’t have everything we want and government needs to budget similarly. There can no longer be sacred cows. State employee compensation has to be on the table. Teachers have taken pay freezes and pay portions of their insurance. 10. Which of Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s “resetting government” proposals do you support?
I think the most significant issue that has come out of the report is that we con not sustain current budgeting strategies. The report talks about state and local partnerships. Often times a local government can provide the service more efficiently and therefore at less cost. We need to allow cities and counties the latitude to manage more services at the local level. 11. What changes, if any, would you advocate in the structure, scope or role of state government? I think state government has grown too big and tries to provide too much to too many. We need government, but I think even this legislature as reached too far into governing individual behaviors because we think “it’s a good idea.” 12. What changes, if any, do you favor making in state employee compensation? Why? PERS has to be a conversation. I don’t think it is right to change the agreement the current retirees have. I do believe it is time for employees to pick up at least a portion of the PERS contribution. Most private sector employees contribute or completely fund their retirement. I don’t want to lay off state employees anymore than I want to see laid off timber workers. But we can not sustain compensation as it is today. 13. Do you support the education-reform proposals of the Chalkboard Project? I think the Chalkboard Project has come up with some very good suggestions. I like that they have encouraged innovation and see great value in a lot of their work. A school district in my district has benefited from the CLASS project grant. 14. What “social issues,” if any, should the 2011 Legislature address? Frankly, I think jobs are such a critical issue right now and many of our social problems are stemming from that lack of jobs. Certainly, not all problems can be traced to lay offs but many can. When I was a cop most domestic issues I dealt with could be traced to job loss; the added stress of demands that can’t be met. There will always be social issues that require funded state and local services; again, those are funded by income tax dollars. 15. How should the Legislature and state government respond to illegal immigration? I hate to say it again but this issue has to be first addressed at the federal issue. When individual states pass major immigration reform policies it creates a complicated patchwork. Look at Arizona, whether a person agrees with the law or not, it is a direct result of extreme frustration and has created a firestorm. In 2008 I supported a bill that required proof of legal presence to be issued a driver’s license, I believe it helps but falls very short of addressing the heart of the issue. 16. What are the three most important issues you would address if elected? How? (Up to 75 words for each issue.)
JOBS AND THE ECONOMY: Reduce regulation, create incentives for small businesses and job creation COMMON SENSE BUDGETING: Fund the voters’ priorities without new taxes, streamlining services and agencies for better service EDUCATION: Prioritize safe, accountable and well funded classrooms 17. What do you see as other important issues? I have been working closely with people throughout my district on how to manage the increasing threat of cougars to livestock, property and people. We held a large town hall meeting that will result in legislation to deal appropriately with this issue. I also have worked specifically on biomass legislation—legislation that I believe is important in maintaining some natural resource jobs in my district and preserving harvesting infrastructure and equipment for when the market improves. I will continue to stand by this legislation as well. While supporting good, common sense legislation is important, so is opposing bad legislation. Whether the issue is education, public safety, help for our most vulnerable citizens or any other issue, I will actively oppose legislation that is lacking common sense in concept or implementation. 18. Any skeletons in your closet or other potentially embarrassing information that you want to disclose before it comes up in the campaign? I have embarrassed myself many times but I don’t think that is what you are asking. As a legislative candidate, your positions on statewide ballot measures on relevant to voters. Please indicate whether you support or oppose each of the measures. Measure 70: Veterans’ loans
Yes
No
Measure 71: Annual legislative sessions
No
Measure 72: State bonding authority
Yes
No
Measure 73: Sentencing
Yes
No
Measure 74: Medical marijuana
No
Measure 75: Multnomah County casino
No
Measure 76: Lottery funding for parks, habitat
Yes
No
Name: Sherrie Sprenger House/Senate District Number: HD17 Party affiliation: Republican Age: 45 City/town of residence: Scio, Oregon Number of years you have lived in the district: Most recently, nine years Are you a full-time resident of the district? Yes Family (name of spouse/partner, number and ages of children if at home, number of grown children): Husband-Kyle Son-Austin, 13 Current employer/job: State Representative Employment, military and volunteer history: Deputy Sheriff, Grant & Benton Counties Small business owner Board of Director’s New Hope Pregnancy Center, Albany, Chair Civic/religious/other local involvement: Member, First Assembly of God, Albany, OR Member, Lebanon Chamber of Commerce Member, Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce Member, North Santiam Chamber of commerce Member, Stayton Area Chamber of Commerce Please list all public offices to which you’ve been elected, and when: Lebanon Community School District Board of Directors 2003 and 2007 State Representative 2008-current
Please list any unsuccessful candidacies for public office, and when: None Other political and government experience: Commissioner’s appointment, Linn County Compensation Board Governor’s appointment, Fair Dismissals Appeals Board How the public can reach your campaign (remember that this information will be public): Mail address: PO Box 702, Scio, Or 97374 E-mail address: [email protected] Web site URL: sherriesprenger.com Phone: 541-974-2720 How much will your general election campaign cost? (Please be specific about your campaign budget, not “as much as we can raise.”) Somewhere in the neighborhood of $40,000 Who are your top campaign contributors/lenders? (Please list at least the current top five and their total dollar amounts.) My contributors come from all walks of life. Those contributions that come from the average, maybe not politically minded constituent mean the most to me. Who are your key political advisers? (Please identify at least your top three.) Jennifer Waggoner, a friend and consultant, has been very supportive and influential to me. I actually really listen to my constituents; I figure they know what they are talking about. I have always run a very grassroots campaign. Key endorsements you’ve received: Oregon Farm Bureau Oregon Cattlemen’s Association Oregon Right to Life Melcher Logging, Sweet Home AG-PAC CommonSense for Oregon
Oregon Anti-Crime Alliance Sam Brentano, Marion County Commissioner Mayors of Stayton, Scio, Sublimity, and Lebanon Associated Builders and Contractors Independent Electrical Contractors of Oregon Marion County Farm Bureau National Rifle Association Oregonians for Food and Shelter Associated Oregon Loggers NFIB Oregon Forest Industries Council Stand for Children Oregon State Sheriff’s Association Oregon Nursery Association For each of the following questions, please limit your answer to about 75 words. 1. Have you ever been convicted of a crime, been disciplined by a professional licensing board/organization or had an ethics violation filed against you? If so, please give the details. No 2. Have you ever filed for bankruptcy, been delinquent on your taxes or other major accounts, or been sued personally or professionally? If so, please give the details. No 3. Describe this legislative district: I have an amazingly beautiful district with abundant natural resources. The people of my district epitomize Oregon’s pioneering spirit. My rural communities are or have been primarily timber dependent towns that struggle to maintain their heritage and way of life. Small businesses are the heart and soul with most businesses employing less than ten people. 4. What specific steps will you take to make government more open and accessible to the public? As State Representative I work diligently to connect my constituents to their state government. I hosted numerous industry specific events during the 2009 session with the purpose of engaging people in areas that affect their industry. My office spends a significant amount of time advocating to state agencies for my constituents. I cosponsored legislation to create greater accountability and transparency. The best part of my job is the time I spend in the district with my friends and neighbors. 5. Why should people vote for you? What separates you from your opponent(s)?
As your State Representative I have voted consistently, carefully and with common sense to reflect the values of my district. I said I would come to Salem and work against higher taxes and advocate for government accountability. I voted “no” on every tax increase and sponsored legislation that would cause government to be more accountable. I have established relationships throughout the district and with decision makers in Salem and have the experience to bridge the two. 6. What specific steps would you advocate to improve Oregon’s economy and create jobs? The first step is do no more harm. In a very difficult economy this legislature raised taxes on business and added regulation; that doesn’t make sense. On every piece of legislation we need to ask the question “Does this make doing business here easier or harder?” Important to my district is timber. I have worked diligently for the past year and a half to stimulate the biomass industry. 7. What changes, if any, would you advocate in the tax provisions created by Measures 66/67? One area to look at is the gross sales portion of the tax. While at my son’s football practice one evening another mother shared that her husband and her own a business that contracts with industrial plants to do the large maintenance during shut downs. She said they used to occasionally bid on jobs that wouldn’t really create a profit but they wouldn’t loose money and they could keep their workforce working. She said that can’t do that anymore because with the tax they actually loose money. So now they are forced to temporarily lay off workers which means a drain on state services. 8. What specific revenue changes, if any, would you advocate to balance the 2011-13 budget? The best revenue this state can acquire is income tax payments from employed people. Taxes are a very necessary part of our society, yet we have to be careful to generate them appropriately. A thriving state economy will create revenue because people will be earning an income and spending a lot of that money and paying a portion of that in income taxes. 9. What specific spending reductions, if any, would you advocate to balance the 2011-13 budget? Government has to continue to tighten its belt just like folks at home. We can’t have everything we want and government needs to budget similarly. There can no longer be sacred cows. State employee compensation has to be on the table. Teachers have taken pay freezes and pay portions of their insurance. 10. Which of Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s “resetting government” proposals do you support?
I think the most significant issue that has come out of the report is that we con not sustain current budgeting strategies. The report talks about state and local partnerships. Often times a local government can provide the service more efficiently and therefore at less cost. We need to allow cities and counties the latitude to manage more services at the local level. 11. What changes, if any, would you advocate in the structure, scope or role of state government? I think state government has grown too big and tries to provide too much to too many. We need government, but I think even this legislature as reached too far into governing individual behaviors because we think “it’s a good idea.” 12. What changes, if any, do you favor making in state employee compensation? Why? PERS has to be a conversation. I don’t think it is right to change the agreement the current retirees have. I do believe it is time for employees to pick up at least a portion of the PERS contribution. Most private sector employees contribute or completely fund their retirement. I don’t want to lay off state employees anymore than I want to see laid off timber workers. But we can not sustain compensation as it is today. 13. Do you support the education-reform proposals of the Chalkboard Project? I think the Chalkboard Project has come up with some very good suggestions. I like that they have encouraged innovation and see great value in a lot of their work. A school district in my district has benefited from the CLASS project grant. 14. What “social issues,” if any, should the 2011 Legislature address? Frankly, I think jobs are such a critical issue right now and many of our social problems are stemming from that lack of jobs. Certainly, not all problems can be traced to lay offs but many can. When I was a cop most domestic issues I dealt with could be traced to job loss; the added stress of demands that can’t be met. There will always be social issues that require funded state and local services; again, those are funded by income tax dollars. 15. How should the Legislature and state government respond to illegal immigration? I hate to say it again but this issue has to be first addressed at the federal issue. When individual states pass major immigration reform policies it creates a complicated patchwork. Look at Arizona, whether a person agrees with the law or not, it is a direct result of extreme frustration and has created a firestorm. In 2008 I supported a bill that required proof of legal presence to be issued a driver’s license, I believe it helps but falls very short of addressing the heart of the issue. 16. What are the three most important issues you would address if elected? How? (Up to 75 words for each issue.)
JOBS AND THE ECONOMY: Reduce regulation, create incentives for small businesses and job creation COMMON SENSE BUDGETING: Fund the voters’ priorities without new taxes, streamlining services and agencies for better service EDUCATION: Prioritize safe, accountable and well funded classrooms 17. What do you see as other important issues? I have been working closely with people throughout my district on how to manage the increasing threat of cougars to livestock, property and people. We held a large town hall meeting that will result in legislation to deal appropriately with this issue. I also have worked specifically on biomass legislation—legislation that I believe is important in maintaining some natural resource jobs in my district and preserving harvesting infrastructure and equipment for when the market improves. I will continue to stand by this legislation as well. While supporting good, common sense legislation is important, so is opposing bad legislation. Whether the issue is education, public safety, help for our most vulnerable citizens or any other issue, I will actively oppose legislation that is lacking common sense in concept or implementation. 18. Any skeletons in your closet or other potentially embarrassing information that you want to disclose before it comes up in the campaign? I have embarrassed myself many times but I don’t think that is what you are asking. As a legislative candidate, your positions on statewide ballot measures on relevant to voters. Please indicate whether you support or oppose each of the measures. Measure 70: Veterans’ loans
Yes
No
Measure 71: Annual legislative sessions
No
Measure 72: State bonding authority
Yes
No
Measure 73: Sentencing
Yes
No
Measure 74: Medical marijuana
No
Measure 75: Multnomah County casino
No
Measure 76: Lottery funding for parks, habitat
Yes
No
