The Duncan Banner emailed some questions to all the candidates running for political office that members of Stephens County will be voting on Nov. 4. What follows is this candidate's responses to these questions.



Questions to Don Barrington, Republican candidate for Oklahoma State Senate District No. 31:



1) What qualifications do you have for running for Oklahoma's State

Senate?

I am the incumbent Senator, elected to office in 2004 to represent the people of Senate District 31. I have developed relationships not only with my constituents but with numerous legislator's from across our state. Over the past four years I have learned the legislative process of presenting legislation that benefits not only the people of our district but all of Oklahoma.



2) Why are you running for Oklahoma's State Senate?

I will continue to be a voice for the people of Senate District 31 by listening to their concerns and ideas that will make our state more productive and encourage new industry and employment opportunities.



3) What is the most important issue to you and how will you work to

alleviate the problem if elected?

Of course there are numerous issues of importance to our district. To say one is more important than another would be difficult. However, I believe education, corrections and health care are just a few that are of concern when the appropriations process begins. It is vital that funding is appropriated to education and my belief is it needs to be channeled to the classroom and our children. Currently approximately 53% of the states $7.2 billion budget goes to education. I believe to ensure more funding into education we need to look at or investigate ways to address additional funding through identifying alternate funding sources.



4) With the ever increasing costs for construction materials, road

construction/maintenance costs are increasing exponentially, what can

be done to alleviate the problem? In other words, can the number of

road projects remain steady or will the number of projects need to

decrease yearly unless taxes are raised?

Of course roads, bridges and infrastructure are very important to the economy of our state. I believe our current and future infrastructure programs can be accomplished without raising new taxes. Last session we voted a 300 million dollar bond issue to address our road/bridges construction needs. Due to the fact funding has remained basically at the same level since the 1990's, road dollar impact had diminished due to maintenance and operational needs of the Department of Transportation.



5) Oklahoma has a prison capacity of about 25,000. We stay filled at

between 96% and 98% yearly, which is well into overcrowded status. What

is the answer for prison overcrowding in Oklahoma and how will you work

to alleviate the problem? Do you think taxes need to be raised to solve

the (any) problem?

For the first time since I have been in the legislature, this last session we fully funded the Department of Corrections. In the past, DOC would come back for supplemental funding in an effort to finish out their budget year. Now DOC has the funding necessary to implement their operations without perceiving a budget shortfall prior to the end of the budget year. As to overcrowding, I believe we need to look at ways of reducing the recidivism rate address the issue of non violent offenders through programs that will move offenders back into society as productive citizens. I do not believe we need to raise taxes to accomplish these programs.



6) Recidivism is measured as the percentage of all prisoners within a

given year who return to incarceration within three years. For fiscal

year 2005, the recidivism rate is 27.8%. What will you do to lower that

percentage?

As in question #5. Plus we must ensure that Public Safety is maintained.



The last five questions come from a Duncan Banner reader.



7) What have been some “positives” that have happened during your

campaigning?

I love being out in the district meeting with people on the door step or at various events we attend. It gives me the opportunity to listen to their concerns and ideas for our district.



8) How can we make public schools better?

One answer is to ensure more appropriated funds are channeled into the classroom. Another consideration would be to identify alternative funding sources and designate those funds for education. We have a responsibility to ensure a good education for our children and grandchildren and give them the opportunity to become prosperous and productive citizens. In addition, I believe steps should be taken to ensure our best and brightest classroom teachers are adequately compensated.



9) Do you stand with your party affiliation on the issues of abortion

and marriage? Why?

Yes, I am Pro-Life. I have either authored or co-authored three comprehensive Pro-Life measures. I have a 100% rating from the Oklahomans for Life Coalition. I stand for traditional marriage. I believe our Creator intended for marriage to be between one man and one women. My wife Jennifer and I have been married for almost 39 years with two children and five grandchildren.



10) Would you ever cross party lines in a voting session? Why?

Yes, because with the diversity of needs and concerns in our district some measures could be contrary to what is best for the people of district 31.



11) Are you for or against Tort Reform? Why?

I am for Lawsuit Reform. I believe our current system does not project a positive image to encourage new business and industry.