Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey and Virginia all have statewide elections in 2011

[Flaxbee]

What are the pressing state issues right now, in your opinion?

The big issue - the economy - drives almost every other issue.

But what "local" (state) issues - if you live in any of those states or not - are you concerned about? Are there any specific state concerns you'd like legislators running in those states to address?


(I have posted this question in each of those state's forums; lots of hits, no replies so I thought I'd take my chances in GD).

Thanks for your thoughts. I'm working on a questionnaire and any input or local insight would be much appreciated.

[JustAnotherGen]

1. NJ

Fracking, Proper Police Coverage, number of teachers in classrooms, road conditions, reinstatement of Senior Citizens Home Credit, Reinstatement/Put back to proper levels assistance for poor/lower middle class women for health services.

Pretty much everything Christie has screwed up.

[Flaxbee]

4. thanks ... I'll be asking locals those very questions.

I'll put up their responses (if I get any) and post a link here.

[MountainLaurel]

2. Louisiana

Personally, I'm concerned about the growing theocracy here. We have the LA Science Education Act (which essentially mandates that creationism be taught in public schools), a comprehensive sex ed program being voted down (despite some of the highest STD rates in the nation), ongoing attacks on choice even from women and Dems.

I'm also concerned about the economy, because despite politicians' claims to be building a 21st century, biotech economy, scientists are leaving in droves. No one seems to care that the old reliance on oil and gas is a dead end, and most politicians are fellating the petrochemical phallus. Then there's that Deepwater Horizon thing, which is still leaking oil, and the long-term effects its going to have on health, the wetlands, and the fishing/shrimping industries.

[Flaxbee]

5. thank you for your reply

I'll formulate these into some questions to see if anyone running for state office will respond.

I appreciate it!

[FBaggins]

3. VA - Congressional redistricting

I don't think they've finished redistricting in VA. The last time around, it didn't happen until after the new legislature was elected.

VA didn't have state legislative elections last year, so they missed the GOP "wave" and we still hold a slim lead in the state Senate.

It would be nice to see them form the first hints of a backlash election in 2012.

[Flaxbee]

6. OK - so what kind of question would you ask someone running

for state office?

Thanks for your reply!

[FBaggins]

7. Do you have a "D" next to your name on the ballot, or not?

:-)

Sorry. I suppose you could craft questions that relate to gerrymandering, one-person-one-vote, independent redistricting commisssions, communities of interest, etc.

Essentially, would you act to water down the voice of the voter by packing votes for one party into non-competitive disatricts while strengthening the other party in other areas? Do you think that redistricting should be a political process?

But redistricting is not only a political process (whether we like it or not), it's almost always a party-line process - unless you're talking about a minority-majority district. So "D" should handle it. :)

[Hoosier Daddy]

8. I have an old friend in Cape May

He says he's looking forward to freeing Chris Christie from anything preventing him from running for Prez.