Where they stand: Indiana House District 5 candidates on the issues
The job of a state representative is to create and pass legislation that will benefit the citizens of his or her district, as well as the entire state. Republican Dale Devon won a close election in 2018 against Democratic challenger Don Westerhausen. The two face each other again this year.
For more on the candidates, go to www.vote411.org.
Dale Devon
Party: Republican
Job: Home builder
Education: Clay High and real estate school
Email: dale@devoncustomhomes.com
Campaign phone: 574-271-0686
Facebook: DaleDeVonforStateRep
Don Westerhausen
Party: Democratic
Job: Cardiologist
Education: MD, University of Minnesota
Email: campaign@votewesterhausen.com
Website: votewesterhausen.com
Campaign phone: 574-400-5262
Facebook: VoteWesterhausen
Twitter: @VoteDoctorDon
Indiana taxpayers currently fund four different types of K-12 education: traditional public schools, charter schools, private schools (using “choice scholarships”/”vouchers”), and online education. What, if anything, would you change about the current funding structure for K-12 education?
Devon: Indiana I believe has done a great job in educating our children with using vouchers and charter schools along with public education dollars in schools I believe we need to continue as the culture changes to find new and better ways to help educate all children in the state of Indiana
Westerhausen: Given the budget crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic, I want to make clear that my first priority is keeping public school funding at its current levels. School funding was cut after the Great Recession and has struggled to recover since 2008. Next, I believe that every school that receives taxpayer money must be subject to the same guidelines, restrictions, and oversight required of our school corporations. Because these standards don’t currently exist, just this year, we learned that a Virtual School stole $86 million in taxpayer dollars by inflating their enrollment numbers. We must also stop wasteful spending on testing. After spending $45 million for the ILEARN test that was supposed to be an improvement on ISTEP, in 2020, the General Assembly had to pass a bill to hold teachers harmless for poor ILEARN test scores. Finally, Indiana is 51st in teacher salary growth. We must keep the Governor’s promise to put Indiana in the top three states in the region for teacher pay.
Has the Indiana State Legislature done enough to address the rising cost of health care, stagnant wages across the state, teacher pay, and K- 12 education funding? Can the state afford to do more? What would you recommend?
Devon: Last year I supported legislation that ended surprise billing and increased transparency in billing for medical procedures, in 2018 I authored a bill working With ISTA, Stand for Children and Teach Plus to direct tuition dollars to be at least 85% going into the classroom and 15% administration cost.
Westerhausen: The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the weaknesses in Indiana’s public health, healthcare, and economic infrastructure. Every neighboring Midwest state started the process of achieving a $15 minimum wage years ago, leaving Hoosiers falling behind with the same rate ($7.25) since 2009. Instead of investing in public education, protecting healthcare, and other policies that would strengthen Hoosier households, the Republican led General Assembly spent recent years “helping” Indiana workers by pushing loan-shark level interest rates, of over 300%, on payday loans and weakening worker protections. I support legislation to restore the Common Construction Wage, repeal Right to Work laws, restore collective bargaining for state employees, explore state programs that offer paid sick and family leave, and oppose payday lender bills. The 2021 legislature will face significant budget challenges because of the pandemic. We must prioritize investment in Hoosiers to ensure a strong recovery.
Should laws about marijuana use be decided by the states or by the federal government? What is your position on decriminalization or legalization of medical and/or recreational marijuana in the state of Indiana?
Devon: I believe all drugs Should be regulated by the FDA and I believe medical marijuana should be legalized To help relieve nauseous feelings from chemotherapy treatments
Westerhausen: I strongly support medical use of marijuana in Indiana. The federal government should end classification of marijuana as a Federal Schedule 1 controlled substance, which states that a drug has no acceptable medical use and lacks acceptable safety findings. We have enough evidence that marijuana has clear benefits for treating chronic pain, chemotherapy side effects, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for Veterans. I support ending incarceration for marijuana possession and use, because of the disproportionate application of laws that resulted in higher incarceration rates for communities of color. As an alternative, I favor increased access to mental health and substance use treatment. I am undecided about legalization for recreational use. I would like more data from states that have legalized use, regarding safety and health effects. Legalization should be paired with public health education to discourage driving under the influence and avoid use during pregnancy.
Some states are proposing free tuition for state colleges and universities. Do you support such an initiative? If so, how would you propose to PAY for it? If not, how would you make post-secondary education more affordable for Indiana residents?
Devon: The state of Indiana currently subsidise proximately 40% for instate tuition. 21st scholarship participants receive 100% tuition. I believe every student should have some involvement in their education cost. Indiana is currently ranked 5th in the nation in student tuition support according to Purdue
Westerhausen: Overall, I support efforts to lower the cost of college and reduce the need for student loans, but do not think it is feasible at this time to make college free for everyone. I would like to increase awareness of and enrollment in Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars Program that offers 7th and 8th graders the opportunity to enroll in this program that provides free tuition at 2-year and 4-year colleges by meeting GPA, income, and other requirements throughout high school. In 2018, State Representative Dvorak called for a study, as part of workforce development bill, to look at other states’ successes at offering free college. I support efforts to replicate proven programs. We should also challenge our state universities to follow Purdue’s example of freezing tuition for 9 years.
Why does the United States account for such a disproportionately high number of COVID-19 infections and deaths? In your view, how well has Indiana done at controlling the spread of the virus? What specific steps, if any, should the General Assembly take to limit COVID-19 deaths and to help those most affected by pandemic?
Devon: I believe with Republican leadership of Governor Holcomb and DR Box has done a great job Protecting the residents of Indiana, I believe protecting our elder and most Vulnerable, And ensuring our hospitals have the equipment needed to protect all Hoosiers
Westerhausen: The high number of COVID-19 infections and deaths in the US is directly related to the failure of federal leadership to provide clear, evidence-based guidance on how to prevent the transmission of COVID and the lack of a national testing strategy. I’m proud of the St. Joseph County Department of Health for filling this void in leadership and working to keep our community safe. Our state response has been fair, but I’m concerned with moving to Stage 5 while cases are increasing, and believe the General Assembly must support our local public health officials. The CARES Act was to help support individuals, families, and small businesses during the pandemic and requires unspent money be returned after 12/30/2020. So far, Indiana has committed to spending $1 billion of the $2.4 billion received and distributed just 10% of the $1 billion. Why the delay? If the state is permitted to use these funds into January, we must ensure they are used as intended and go to those most in need.
We’re about to have our once-every-10-years opportunity to redraw legislative boundaries based on the results of the 2020 Census. What process should be used to draw those boundaries, and should the General Assembly do anything to prevent partisan gerrymandering, this year and going forward?
Devon: I would be supportive of a bipartisan Commission to redraw district lines
Westerhausen: Gerrymandering has been used by both parties to establish an unfair advantage in elections. It decreases competitiveness and unfairly favors incumbents. Gerrymandering leaves many citizens feeling unrepresented. Recent state elections indicate that Indiana is approximately 50% Republican and 45% Democratic. Since redistricting occurred in 2012, Republicans have a supermajority of over 60% in the State House, creating an imbalance of power and influence. In 2016, an independent study committee on redistricting reform recommended the establishment of a bipartisan commission to draw Congressional and state legislative maps and submit them to the General Assembly. I would support this legislation but would prefer a non-partisan committee. The goal is to ensure representation fairly reflects the makeup of the community. Districts should look like squares, not jigsaw puzzle pieces.
