HOUGHTON - The four candidates for the state House of Representatives 110th District and Senate 38th District met in the Houghton High School auditorium Friday to give their positions on child and youth issues.
The candidates' forum was sponsored by Copper Country Human Services Coordinating Body, Copper Country Great Start Collaborative, Copper Country Coalition for a Drug-Free Community, League of Women Voters of the Copper Country, Superior Child Abuse Prevention Council, and Upper Peninsula Children's Coalition.
The event was hosted by Fredi De Yampert, Finlandia University Nursing Department chair, who said she was pleased by the candidates' response to the forum.
"We are pleased to have complete candidate participation tonight," she said.
De Yampert said the candidates drew numbers to determine who would answer questions first. Besides prepared questions, audience members were allowed to write questions on cards for the candidates.
First to be questioned were 110th District candidates Democrat Scott Dianda of Calumet and Republican Matt Huuki of Atlantic Mine. Next, 38th District candidates Republican Tom Casperson of Escanaba and Democrat Mike Lahti of Hancock, answered questions.
Following are some of the questions and the candidates' responses:
Q: How important are state government programs in addressing tobacco and other substance abuse in youth?
Huuki: Government programs can help.
"I know substance abuse is something you just don't do."
Abuse of prescription drugs is a growing problem that needs to be addressed.
Dianda: Government programs are important, but so is family.
"We have a responsibility that starts at home."
"It's very important to keep these programs funded."
Q: Local youth claim the lack of activities is the main reason for the abuse of alcohol and drugs and behavior problems. What would you do about that?
Dianda: "I don't agree with that. We need to get those younger people outside."
Hunting, fishing and after school activities are all available locally.
Huuki: "I do believe there's plenty to do."
"Parents should expect more out of their children."
Q: What can legislators do about the increase in child abuse and neglect?
Huuki: "We need to step in if we see issues."
The state has often failed in child abuse and neglect cases.
Dianda: "It does start in the school system because their the first to see things."
More funding for child protective services is needed.
Q: What can be done to reduce childhood poverty?
Huuki: If the commodities in the U.P. were more available, there would be better-paying jobs.
"The biggest thing standing in the way is government. We need these jobs. We have the resources."
Dianda: "We're talking about the most vulnerable out there. We need to protect the jobs we have."
Q: Would you be willing to raise taxes to fund education?
Dianda: "That is something we'll have to do to make sure education is done right."
Huuki: "Any higher taxes in our state would be detrimental. It would fix the budget for a short time."
These questions were put to Casperson and Lahti:
Q: How would you work across the aisle to get the two parties to work together?
Casperson: Worked with Democrats when he was in the House of Representatives.
"There's certain things I won't compromise on."
Lahti: "First of all, you (have to) establish trust."
"You learn pretty fast to work with the other side."
Q: What can be cut to solve the school funding crisis?
Lahti: "We're not in a position to cut, but we can reform."
Collaboration between districts is important.
Casperson: "I would love to take the unfunded mandates away."
Q: How can proper health care for children be protected?
Lahti: "The state can fix the situations where the family can't (provide)."
Casperson: Better-paying jobs will help.
"Job opportunities seem to be flying away."
Safety nets are needed.
Q: Can funding for children and families be saved with the current state budget problems?
Casperson: Make government spending less wasteful.
"Our government is very big at the top. When departments are cutting, they're cut at the bottom."
Lahti: "If you're going to provide services, you're going to have to have revenue."
Kurt Hauglie can be reached at khauglie@mininggazette.com.
