GoLocalProv Voter's Guide - Secretary of State: Catherine Taylor
GoLocalProv Politics Team
GoLocalProv Voter's Guide - Secretary of State: Catherine Taylor
Catherine Taylor
Republican Candidate for Secretary of State RI
Yale University
Ethel Walker School
Career Highlights:
• Owner at Taylorwordworks
• Principal at LangTaylor, Ltd.
• Senior Editor/Speechwriter at Office of Senator Lincoln Chafee
• Speechwriter to the Chairman at U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
• Speechwriter at Office of Senator John H. Chafee
• Legislative Assistant at Office of Senator John H. Chafee
Personal Information:
Taylor is the first Republican woman to run for statewide office in Rhode Island this year. Her writing has appeared in a number of publications, including The Washington Post, The Hill, and The New York Times
Views on Key Issues:
• Do you favor the expansion of casino gambling in RI to include table games in Lincoln and Newport?
No. I would like to see Rhode Island wean itself from dependence on gambling revenues, which realistically can only happen when our economy is much stronger. Thus, as Secretary of State I will work to foster a business climate conducive to robust job creation.
• Do you think RI is culturally too accepting of public corruption?
It isn’t that citizens are accepting of public corruption – but rather that we believe we are powerless as individuals to stop it. Voters need to be fully informed. We need a Secretary of State who makes sure citizens have the information they need to hold elected officials accountable for their decisions. Furthermore, the Secretary of State should inspire participation in the democratic process by scrupulously adhering to the law -- especially election laws.
• Do you support the Deepwater Wind Project as a way of helping RI become a hub of the new energy industry? Do you think it is a viable method of economic development here?
While I believe in renewable energy and that RI can be a leader in the development of wind energy, I have serious concerns about the price and the process of the Deepwater Wind deal.
• Do you think RI effectively spends its education dollars?
No. As a public school parent and volunteer, I see on a daily basis how far we need to go in terms of spending our education dollars wisely in this state. I am thrilled about RI’s recent Race to the Top victory, and look forward to the historic collaboration between Commissioner Gist and the Teachers’ Union, yielding more and greater progress.
• Do you favor a state law to allow gay marriage?
As a matter of fairness, I believe all couples should be entitled to obtain the same legal recognition of their stable, lasting partnerships. Whether that is called a civil union or a marriage, it should be the same for everyone under the law.
• Do you think RI should enact restrictive immigration legislation?
The federal government has clearly failed the states in terms of immigration policy and enforcement, but state attempts – such as by Arizona – to enact laws that are more restrictive than federal law have run into constitutional problems in the courts. Whether one is for or against an Arizona-type approach, it is important to note that the people of Arizona have an enormous advantage over us: they are able to go online and view committee hearings and floor proceedings on the measure, in their entirety. If such a law were proposed in Rhode Island, we would be hard pressed to find out what our legislators said or how they voted. As Secretary of State I will ensure that RI joins all 49 other states in providing this information online.
• Do you think municipal government has done enough to cut spending?
In this difficult economic environment, every government entity has no choice but to do more to identify ways to operate more efficiently and thus realize savings. State government must also give municipalities more flexibility to reduce spending by eliminating unnecessary state mandates. My office will lead by example. When elected, I will ensure that the Secretary of State’s office operates within budget as it failed to do last year, and I will make the SOS budget public.
• What specifically do you propose to change in the state pension system, and how much will your changes save in annual costs to the pension system?
The Secretary of State has no authority over the setting or management of pensions, but the office does have a responsibility to make sure voters are fully informed about the actions of the General Assembly as it sets pension policy.
• What is your strategy to address the state's budget deficit? Please be specific, i.e. what cuts or revenue enhancements you are proposing.
Every state agency has a duty to use state money efficiently and responsibly. As the monitor of open government, the Secretary of State should lead by example. My office will be transparent about how our money is spent, and will operate within budget. I will start by turning in the state vehicle assigned to the Secretary of State.
• What specifically will you do to improve employment for Rhode Islanders?
A small business owner myself, I know we need help not just getting started – but staying in business and growing. The Secretary of State’s office is uniquely positioned to help our entrepreneurial community cope with the worst regulatory climate in the country. My office will proactively inform businesses of impending regulatory changes, work cooperatively with other government entities to identify and cut red tape, and ensure that the General Assembly’s actions affecting job creation are transparent.