CTNewsJunkie Voter Guide Profile for Barbara Ruhe

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Barbara Ruhe

Running for State Senator

0 CTNewsJunkie Reader Endorsements

Party: Republican

CEP Status: nonparticipating

Website:

Age: 67

Marital Status: Married

Current Residence: Wethersfield

Current Job: Attorney private practice since 1976

Previous Job:

Education: B.A. Chemistry; Law Degree both from Valparaiso University

2017

Do you believe public schools in Connecticut require an essential makeover, as outlined by Superior Court Judge Thomas Moukawsher's decision in September? What, in your opinion, is the number-one issue regarding public education in the state?

Public education needs to get back to basics. We need to focus not on teaching to the test, but teaching. We need to take a long hard look at unfunded mandates. We need to continue to fund and promote vocational education. We need to start teaching 2nd languages in Kindergarten.

Will you oppose legislation that will require utility customers to subsidize the profitability of merchant generators, such as the Millstone nuclear power plant, unless those merchant generators demonstrate the need to their customers and the state with financial reports that show their actual loss in profits?

If a private utility company is seeking to have customers subsidize profits they should open their financial records for public inspection.

How would you reduce the state employee pension liabilities and debt service, which together comprise 25% of the state's annual budget?

I would support legislation to freeze cost of living increases and use that savings to reduce the debt service. I would also review and determine what could be done to limit "double dipping" .

Does Connecticut have a revenue problem or a spending problem?

Connecticut has a massive spending problem. Money is spent foolishly and in all the wrong places.

Would you support laws that provide for family leave or other workplace flexibility for employees who have to take time off for family caregiving purposes? What proposals would you champion to help family caregivers who are balancing a career and family obligations or health emergencies?

I think that employers should consider providing family leave and workplace flexibility I have significant reservations about laws mandating the same.

Community College students recently won a reprieve but are facing the possibility of a significant tuition hike. What are you planning to do to ensure that community college remains an affordable option for families?

Community colleges are a huge educational assets to the state. I believe that the budgets must be reviewed for any possible savings. The colleges should also consider doing private fund raising to develop an endowment much like private colleges and universities do.

What would you do as a state legislator to address the opioid epidemic in our state?

Find a way to develop & fund residential treatment programs for parents and children like Hallie House in Middletown.

Today, over 600,000 residents in our state don’t have a way to save for retirement at work. Knowing that employees are 15 times more likely to save merely by having access to payroll deduction, will you commit to supporting the newly passed Connecticut Retirement Security Act that will provide these workers with access to private payroll deduction IRA accounts?

If this is a proven, cost effective program I would support it.

Who are you supporting for president and why?

While I am a life long Republican I can not support Donald Trump--first I am a person of faith, then I am an American, only then am I a Republican-- and I am a women--he has offended me on every level. I have significant reservations about Hilliary Clinton as regards her candor and her honesty. I feel like I have the choice between a lunatic and a crook. A lunatic could blow up the world, a crook would only steal from us--these two are the best we could do ? I don't know what I am going to do yet.