What (state or local) taxes or fees for government services should be increased, especially proposals most people would support but are being blocked by special interests or lack of initiative? (eg: carbon tax (wholesale or retail), fees on pollution, water or electric consumption, garbage disposal; tax on location value of land). What (state or local) taxes or fees should be reduced to encourage
a more local, sustainable economy?
3. What about the population growth forecast for the state? Acknowledge it or prevent it?
5. What about use of Spanish language--encourage it for all, or hasten assimilation of non-English speakers?
6. What about the forecasts for impending State government financial crisis (Governor's Reset Report)?
7. How to set compensation levels for public employees? Pay out more or less for health "insurance" and PERS?
8. What about method of financing schools--is it an equal entitlement for children in all parts of the state?
9. Should we favor vouchers for privately operated schools, and/or insist on revamping the public system to insure better results without further lowering pay? How to handle special education costs?
10. How to keep higher education accessible to all socioeconomic levels? More community colleges, and/or more high-level, higher-cost public universities?
11. Do state formulas dictating allocation of local property tax revenues among local governments (Cities/Counties/Schools) ensure best funding for the most critical services?
12. How to manage state assets for sustainability--especially state forests that can be logged, or not.
13. How should state and county road systems be managed to reduce carbon footprint?
14. How can we invest in non-polluting transportation and get the best results in the shortest time?
15. How can we reform the legislative process to reduce the role of monied interests and include more brainpower in designing solutions?
