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METRO LOUISVILLE CANDIDATES

Candidate’s Name:  Michael Hayes

Running for:    District 17

1.         What would you like voters to know about your background?

            I’m an attorney with 22 years experience, of which 18 years were with the City of Louisville.  I’m also a former District Court Judge.

2.         Why are you running for office?  What do you hope to accomplish if elected?

            Having spent 18 years with the City Lou Department, I have both knowledge and experience to help this new council.

3.         What do you think is the proper and/or legitimate role of government in a ‘free’ society?

            Providing necessary social programs for the poor or low income.

4.         Do you think our tax rates are about right, too high, or too low, and do you propose to keep them at the same level or to raise or lower them if you are elected?

            Funding for many services and programs depends on taxes.  Some will need to be raised.

5.         Can you name any current tax that you would repeal?  Any fee?

            No

6.         Do you think the taxpayers should fund or be responsible for the debt on a new sports arena?

            Only if there’s a referendum approved by vote of the people, unless the percentage of taxpayer responsibility is low.

7.         Do you think the taxpayers should fund or be responsible for the debt on other privately-owned projects, such as hotels and restaurants?  

            Yes – if the responsibility is low and the project brings about economic growth and revenue to the community.

8.         What do you think the government should do to help attract businesses to the area or to improve the local economy?

            Provide tax credits and incentives.

9.         Do you think that operating any local business for profit is a privilege, for which a citizen should apply for a permit, paying a fee or tax?  If so, which businesses should be required to obtain permits and pay fees, and why?

            Current laws require permitting of certain businesses.  These laws are to remain until reviewed by the full council.

10.       Do you support the proposed light rail plan for Louisville?  Have you compared the costs of light rail to other options, such as construction of additional highways, in terms of cost per passenger mile traveled?  If so, how does light rail compare?

            I’m in favor of low cost mass transit.

11.       Do you think we should continue vehicle emissions testing (VET) in Louisville?

            VET testing has been eliminated by the State.  I would prefer an exemption for the first 5 years.

12.       Do you support continued taxation to subsidize TARC?

            Yes.

13.       Do you support deregulation of the taxicab industry to permit anyone who meets safety standards to compete in providing transportation services such as cabs and shuttle vans?

            No.

14.       Are there any services currently provided by the city or county that you would eliminate?  If so, what are they?

            None known to date.  I would merge services to eliminate waste.

15.       Are there any services not currently provided by the city or county that you would add?  If so, what are they and how would you pay for them?

            None known to date.

16.       Are there any laws currently on the books that you would allow to sunset?  If so, what are they?

            None known to date.

17.       Do you think there should be any laws restricting our ability to own guns for self-defense?  If so, what restrictions do you support?

            Yes.  Safety locks, waiting periods to purchase, criminal background check.

18.       We continue to have killings and violence in our community relating to the war on drugs.  What would you do to improve this situation?

            Improved education at schools.  Improved treatment programs.

19.       Do you believe that police training should include recognition of a disturbed mentally ill person and the technique for non-harmful handling of a mentally ill person?

            Yes

20.       What, if any, restrictions do you think local government should place on a property owner’s right to use his own property?  If you think there should be restrictions, do you think the local government should compensate the property owner for any loss in property value caused by these restrictions?

            Restrictions, if any, currently law, should remain in effect until reviewed by the full council.

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