Q&A with House 78 candidate Anne Fairchild

Anne Fairchild, 53, of Cedar Rapids, is the Republican candidate for Iowa House District 78 in the Nov. 8 general election. Fairchild, who has not previously held elected office, works in product marketing and product management roles in the financial services industry.

The Gazette posed a set of questions to all area statehouse candidates. Below is the transcript of Fairchild’s answers. Polls will be open on election day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

What do you think are the three most important issues the state is facing? What would you do to address them?

Fairchild: Parents must be involved in and aware of the curriculum in advance of it being presented to their children at all ages. We must attract and retain the best teachers and encourage creativity in the classroom while ensuring that educators are teaching our children how to think, not what to think.

Businesses continue to close due to open positions that cannot be filled. Hard work must be rewarded and encouraged. Government assistance programs should return to being the hand up that was originally intended.

We must enforce our laws and uniformly impose strict penalties when laws are broken. Job training programs and paths to productivity to ensure all Iowans know there is hope for the future and their paths in life are not predetermined.

Do you support the use of eminent domain for CO2 pipelines? Why or why not?

Fairchild: No. I do not agree with the premise of eminent domain. No Iowan should be forced to sell any land for any reason.

What restrictions or limitations should be placed on the use of eminent domain for CO2 pipelines?

Fairchild: I do not agree with the premise of eminent domain. No Iowan should be forced to sell any land for any reason.

The state is projected to have a budget surplus of more than $1 billion. What would be your top priorities for that surplus?

Fairchild: A surplus means that taxes in excess of what was needed was collected from Iowans. We should not immediately look to spend these dollars as if it is free money. All expenditures should be evaluated to determine if current expenses are being effectively spent to achieve the goals of the state. There are several issues that are not addressing the needs of our communities including K-12 individualized education programs, teaching life-skills and industrial classes, school resource officers, mental health & addiction resources.

What changes - beyond those made in recent sessions - would you like to see made to Iowa's tax code?

Fairchild: Tax codes should be simplified. To attract people to Iowa, we should consider elimination of income taxes and instead utilize a universal consumption/sales tax. Taxes should be minimized and any taxes collected should be prudently spent. Small businesses that have annual sales less than $500,000 should be able to pay their sales taxes quarterly.

Under what circumstances should Iowans be able to access abortion services in the state? What if any, exceptions should apply to any abortion bans?

Fairchild: I am personally pro-life and believe that life should be supported from conception to natural death. All life is important. As a representative of a diverse community, I would support a heartbeat bill with very limited exceptions, such as the life of the mother.

What are your ideas for improving public schools?

Fairchild: Focus evaluation and prioritize to address K-12 individualized education programs. Teach life skills and industrial classes to expand horizons and prepare students for adulthood. Require school resource officers to ensure our children and educators are safe and bad behavior is deterred, while building relationships and mentoring opportunities. Address mental health issues early and remove the stigmas attached.

Do you support further use of state funds to help parents pay the costs of non-public schools or home schooling for grades K-12? Why or why not?

Fairchild: I support the ability for parents to be able to send their children to the school that best meets the needs of their children.

Should Iowa ban the use of hand-held mobile devices while driving?

Fairchild: No.

Should automated traffic cameras be banned?

Fairchild: Yes.