Martin Moylan: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: Des PlainesWebsite: http://www.moylanforstaterep.com/Office sought: 55th District Representative Age: 63Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: Full-time State Representative; former electricianEducation: Attended the University of IllinoisCivic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: Alderman, Des Plaines; Mayor, Des Plaines; State Representative, 55th DistrictQuestions Answers How will you work to make the General Assembly function more productively and effectively? Wlll you vote to retain your party's current legislative leader? In what specific ways do you support changing how government in Springfield works?Far too often we see on television or hear on the radio the partisan gridlock that grips our elected officials in Washington D.C. We need to work together, both Democrats and Republicans, to craft legislation that will help hard-working families move forward instead of falling behind. Right now, I am focusing my efforts on winning my campaign for state representative and bringing government services to the doorstep of my community. My efforts are being concentrated on talking to local voters about their concerns like creating jobs, balancing the budget and working to roll back the income tax increase.If the Supreme Court, strikes down the SB 1 pension reform, what is your Plan B and why do you think it would be both legal and effective?All stakeholders realized that something had to be done to address the state's massive pension debt and prevent further damage to Illinois and its credit rating. We needed to ensure that the pension funds remain solvent and provide those who have paid into the systems diligently can receive a retirement. Every year the pension payments grow it creates more instability and risk for both state funded programs and job creators. As we put more money towards the growing pension payments, we are forced to cut funding for crucial services like K-12 education, services for seniors, veterans' programs and public safety.As it stands now, the 2011 income tax increase will expire as planned on Jan. 1. Do you think that expiration should be reconsidered? Would you support making the increase permanent or extending it for some period of time? Please be specific about what level of tax increase, if any, you would support.From the first day I took office, I have been opposed to extending the tax increase and fully support letting it expired as planned. Illinois made a promise to its citizens that this would be a temporary increase and that promise should be kept. I remain in opposition to extending the income tax increase.Do you support cuts in state spending? If so, what specifically do you suggest cutting and how will those cuts be sufficient to restore the state's financial health and economic climate?We have a backlog of unpaid bills and need to eliminate the state's deficit which will require us to spend no more than what we take in. Requiring state agencies to justify their spending coupled with a zero-based budgeting will help eliminate wasteful spending. I will continue to work for and support legislation that freezes cost of living adjustments for lawmakers, cuts elected officials pay and eliminate free lifetime health care benefits for retired politicians. The state can also cut pay for part-time boards and commissions as well as instituting a 10 percent pay cut for legislators and constitutional officers.What changes, if any, do you believe the state should make in the area of education? Would you support the the so-called pension cost-shift to local schools?Since taking office, one of my priorities has been protecting state funding for our schools from devastating cuts. The state must be a reliable partner with our schools and I will work with local teachers and educators, education groups and parents to identify ways we can improve local schools. While the state can offer positive suggestions and provide guidance, I believe most of the decisions should be made at the local level. Pension costs should not be shifted to local elementary and high schools. As I go door to door, the skyrocketing property taxes are often brought up by residents.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?As state representative, I'm working to eliminate the budget deficit and restore Illinois' economy. Eliminating the deficit will create confidence in job creators and help revitalize the economy. If we improve our credit rating and provide confidence to small businesses we can begin to restore Illinois' image as a state for opportunity and growth. Rolling back the tax increase is an important issue for this office. Every day I meet hard-working families that are struggling to make ends, and rolling back the tax increase will provide the relief they need to put food on the table, and pay their bills.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.A local veteran that served in the Vietnam War as a Marine has truly inspired me throughout my years working with him.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?After my father passed at a young age, I helped my mother raise my siblings and I learned the importance of hard work and integrity.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Every experience in life has a purpose, and I'm proud of where they have gotten me, especially teaching me the importance of hard-work and integrity.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History was my favorite subject. It taught me about the Founding Fathers, Martin Luther King, Jr., and all the great leaders that came before us.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Work hard and work honest. You never want to look back and ask yourself if you put all you could into something.