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Helen Truitt
Age: 66
Key issues: land-use planning, senior citizen funding, population increases
Truitt, is a former administrative assistant for retired Sen. Richard Cordrey. She received her associate’s degree from Delaware Technical & Community College in 1997. In 2000, she received her bachelor’s degree online. She lives outside Lewes with her husband. She has four children.
Amount of money available 30 days prior to election: not filed.
Joe Booth
Age: 50
Key issues: state and county finances, healthcare, growth and development
Booth owns a dry cleaning business and received his bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the University of Delaware in 1981. He lives in Georgetown with his wife. He has five children.
Amount of money available 30 days prior to the election: $47,000
Republican Rep. Joe Booth of Georgetown is running against Democrat Helen Truitt for the 37th District state House seat. The district includes Lewes, unincorporated Lewes, the Route 9 corridor and Georgetown. A former Georgetown mayor, Booth was elected to the seat in 2002, and is seeking his fourth term. Newcomer Truitt gained government experience working under former Sen. Richard Cordrey for nearly three decades. State representatives serve two-year terms and make $42,750 a year.
The Cape Gazette posed four questions to the candidates and their answers were limited to 75 words.
1. Delaware schools spend more per student than any other state, but Delaware test scores are lagging. How can the state ensure that money spent on education produces a well-educated workforce?
Joe Booth: It has been typical that we, as a state, tend to discuss low test scores, then choose not to act. The Leadership for Education Achievement in Delaware unfunded mandate task force (that I chaired in 2004) and the Vision 2015 studies all make good suggestions. I believe we should implement a publicized checkbook of school districts’ finances and hold accountable, not just bail out, districts like Christiana. We should also move forward to abolish the useless and expansive Delaware state testing program and provide more spending flexibility for school districts. We should take a serious look at the amount of money spent on administration – state and local – and review costly, unnecessary programs.
Helen Truitt: I have constantly said we should allow the teacher to have the child until he is 9 years old, and then he will want to be in school and want to give as much as he can to his own studies. Also teach the parents that it is their responsibility to help the child learn how to study and show an interest in school. Also, I question how much these extra programs help the child, unless there really is a problem with learning by the child.
2. Some states have established land trusts as a way to provide workforce housing. Do you approve of the land trust model and, if not, how can Delaware provide affordable housing in the Cape Region?
Joe Booth: Zoning and land-use decisions are best made at the most local level. The state and local governments should provide programs to help ensure adequate and affordable workforce housing. Sussex County’s moderately priced housing program, and the state housing authority’s “Live Where You Work” program are examples of a multitude of ways to address this problem. Tax incentives and addressing the wage issue are others ways to address affordable housing. Better-paying jobs can make housing issues easier to address.
Helen Truitt: One must realize if you move to the Cape Region, you are moving to an affluent area and you should expect to pay higher than the norm. Many of the surrounding areas have beautiful homes. A lot of times you are paying just to be near the seashore.
3. In light of the economic downturn, what cuts would you make to balance the state budget? Do you see any additional avenues to raise revenue?
Joe Booth: As I mentioned before, Leadership for Education Achievement in Delaware study recommendations in education would be a great start to ensuring financial security. Our Grant-in aid budget has grown to $50 million with little or no oversight. A line-item by line-item approach would be a positive initiative. Lastly, while I served on the joint finance budget committee, we slashed $80 million and have yet to look at Delaware Natural Resources and Environmental Control and Education departments.
We also let slip by the closing of a state hospital, no adjustments to the SEED scholarship program and several other pass-thru items. We eliminated 200 jobs that were not filled over the last two years, but we stopped short of a more comprehensive look at the entire 2009 budget. Spending is the problem and not near enough space here to discuss Delaware Department of Transportation spending.
Helen Truitt: I feel our entire state budget needs a good house cleaning. Just as most of us have done at home, the state has allowed its pocketbooks to run our budget – not the state budget to run its allowances. We are all going to have to make some sacrifice to get back on track. Then, there would be no reason to increase our revenues yet.
4. Name a Delaware public servant who serves you as a role model.
Joe Booth: Contrary to popular belief, there are a number of good, decent people, who have served the public well, as well as elected officials. Certainly, Sens. Roth and Williams (John from Millsboro, the “conscience of the Senate”) stand out. I choose former Gov. Pete DuPont as a good role model. DuPont led this state in a difficult time, much like we face today.
He believed in a sound fiscal policy and the decisions exemplified then by his leadership are sound ones to follow today including the creation of the Delaware Economic Financial Advisory Committee made up of an independent – key word – cross-section of financial data experts to give the state accurate estimates of revenue for budget purposes was essential. DuPont led with a purpose and was result-oriented. He was nominated by my uncle, Robert A. Short.
Helen Truitt: Former Gov. Russ Peterson for working on the Coastal Zone Act for Delaware. First, for becoming aware of our inland waters and all that we’re been doing to disturb nature.
Sen. John Williams is a man of integrity. When he spoke, you knew it was really meant for everybody. He worked hard with Delaware’s budget. He was an influence on retired Sen. Richard Cordrey and on everything he did.
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