My name is Kelly Thompson and this letter is in response to the questions posed to candidates for Indiana Representative of District 22. Here are my responses:
1) Do you know someone who has the virus? Yes.
2) Do you believe the stay-at-home order works? Yes, if by working you mean slowing the spread.
3) Your thoughts on the rainy day fund. I am the mother of six adult children. All of them have flown the coop now, but when they were home we learned the hard way that living under the illusion that times would always be good was foolish and short sighted. As small business owners in the construction industry, 2008 hit us hard. We were humbled, wisened, and determined to tighten our belts, meet needs before wants, and save for the inevitable rainy days ahead. I think state government should operate just like the families of its citizens. Rainy day funds are prudent and necessary. The question? How much do we need, and what are we doing with the surplus?
4) Your thoughts on Khan Academy vs. school buildings? As a lover of life-long learning I am a supporter of all forms of education. Go learning! As a mother, grandmother and tutor I know different kids learn differently and recognize the need for educational choices. But let me be perfectly clear here: I am pro public education and do not believe that the already underfunded school corporations of this state should have to share tax payer dollars with other schooling options.
5) Broadband? Five years ago I founded a non-profit to support local youth. Part of the outreach was The River Coffeehouse, a community family room. It offered free wifi. Students would bike up before and after school to complete assignments on their tablets as they did not have internet access at home. In the world today, internet access is a necessity. Think library when wondering about the benefit of equal internet/information access.
As I write these responses I am grateful for these questions and the chance to share my views. I am also convinced that we all want the same things: for our families to be safe, healthy and to have opportunity. We are a good people, courageous and compassionate. We rally when our neighbors need help. We work hard, and are proud of it. Our roots are those of faith, family, and farm, big love and hard work. I hope to represent you in Indianapolis, with both of those qualities.
