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Q & A with Jane Orie
Wednesday, March 14, 2001
Q: Why do you want to represent the people of the 40th District?
A: I think I got originally involved in the political scene because of my background as a veteran prosecutor. I'm a lifelong member of this community and real active. This is a logical and natural progression based on what I've accomplished in the 28th District, my experience, my qualifications and my background.
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Q: Explain three issues you want to communicate to the public.
A: Heath care: From prescription drugs to managed care, those two are resoundingly the two top issues . ... I'm concerned with some of the aspects of what happens with managed care. Even though we did a patients bill of rights, there are still aspects we need to work out. When you appeal a decision to the managed-care company, it's not necessarily a physician making the final decision. It could be a bureaucrat. To me, it should be physicians monitoring physicians on whether [a patient] should have that drug.
Property tax reform: Some of the legislation that's been introduced to get rid of the property tax in three years, to me, is illogical. It's politically correct to say, but the reality is that it can't happen. The solution is going to be based on everybody working together to decide what the best method is to do it. I've introduced legislation to have [the property tax] phased in when there's a reassessment so that young people or welfare-to-work mothers have the opportunity to pay it off and don't lose their homes. And for senior citizens, expanding the property tax rebate. ... I think we start looking to the states who aren't having the problems. Look to the states who are doing it and doing it successfully. Let's hear the positives and the negatives.
Criminal reform: With school violence, prevention and intervention is always a priority. ... The perspective I take from mental health is when these people aren't treated, they start off with these small forms of crime. Walking the street or loitering. All the signs are there, nobody recognizes them, no one intervenes. I propose before funding for mental health programs is that the state conduct a study. That the state see how the system is failing.
Q: Jim Rooney will use his name in this election, how much name recognition do you have now outside the 28th District?
A: I don't know. I guess that's the difference. I don't care who the opponent is. I rise and fall on my own name, my own performance. No one will ever outwork me. From a grassroots point of view, no one can outwork me. So if they don't know me, they'll know me before it's over. That's what I can offer to this race.
Q: Why should Democrats or independents vote for you?
A:Look at my record. [As a] freshman legislator, I'm the first woman Republican appointed to appropriations. ... Look at my track record, my experience. That's the distinction between me and my opponent. I'm a proven entity on any issue. I voted for prescription drugs. I introduced legislation on managed care. ... They should vote for me based on what I've done, my performance in the state Legislature. Not because I'm an incumbent; not because I've been elected to an office.
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