Q&A with Iowa Senate District 39 candidate Bernie Hayes

Bernie Hayes, 67, of Cedar Rapids, is the Republican candidate for Senate District 39 in the Nov. 8 general election. Hayes, a retired systems engineer, is seeking his first term in the statehouse. He faces Liz Bennett, who has served in the Iowa House since 2014 before trying to switch chambers.

The Gazette posed a set of questions to all area statehouse candidates. Below is the transcript of Hayes’ 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?

Hayes: Inflation – energy prices, support ethanol, give portion of surplus back to taxpayers Abortion/euthanasia – getting life right, define when it begins and protect it, otherwise it’s capital punishment on the most innocent Parental Rights/Education – give parents choice in how their kids are schooled and ultimate authority over the child’s welfare, it’s called family

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

Hayes: I don’t support the pipeline so I don’t support the use of eminent domain to install it.

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

Hayes: See previous answer.

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

Hayes: Give a chunk back to citizens since it’s their money to offset inflation; save the rest for "rainy" days.

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

Hayes: Introduce a Fair (sales) Tax system - a tax on newly produced items only at a fixed percentage, a monthly stipend given to households to offset tax on essential items (food, medicine), no IRS filings, states responsible for collecting and forwarding tax revenues to the federal government.

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

Hayes: We must first decide when life begins (at conception, detectable heartbeat) and accord it all the lawful protections we would apply to any born human being. The only exception that should apply would be for the life of the mother.

What are your ideas for improving public schools?

Hayes: Incentivize and reward folks for building solid, two-parent families. Parents are the key to educational performance and effectiveness. Give parents a choice for the education of their kids. Choice improves public schools by putting them in a competitive position against the other educational options. Choice leaves public schools with more funds per student than if choice were not exercised, so it is not a financial detriment to public schools.

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?

Hayes: First of all, the funds do not belong to the “state”, they are supplied by citizens to cover the costs of schooling for students, whether public or private, as determined by the parents. It is only right that the funds they have provided through taxes should pay for the schooling method they feel best serves their child.

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

Hayes: Driving must be hands-free and the mobile device placed in a stationary mount with the windshield in the background view.