The upcoming May 20th Primary Election, Connie Stokes will be running for Lt. Governor for the Democratic party.
Which office are you seeking?
Lt. Governor
Name of district
Statewide – Entire State of Georgia
What is the demographic?
The District for this race is statewide. The Lieutenant Governor for the state is a statewide race divided into one hundred and fifty-nine counties. Georgia is the 9th most populous state in the union with a population of almost ten million people (9,83,622). Of Georgia’s almost 10 million people there are 4,993, 572 registered to vote.
Why did you enter politics?
I entered politics to create public policy that makes Georgia a great place to live for now and in the future.
What challenges are municipal governments facing?
The state of Georgia has 536 cities, and as one can imagine those local jurisdictions is torn with competing priorities that vary from city to city. The primary challenge over the last decade has been the economy. Property values have depreciated causing tax revenues to decrease and leading to budget shortfalls and budget cuts.
Name the top three priorities you will address in your district if elected.
I have traveled throughout the state and listened to the people of Georgia, and what I hear most is people want jobs for themselves and their families. They want their children to be able to get a good education, and they want to be able to go to the doctor when they get sick without going broke. My priorities are the priorities of my constituents as when I was a senator, as when I was a commissioner, and as the next Lt. Governor my priorities are the same priorities of the people of Georgia.
What steps will you take to ensure you meet these goals?
I will stay focused on the issues that will move Georgia forward and get this state back on track. I will use my experience as a senator, commissioner, and business owner, to work with my colleagues to collaborate in a non-partisan way to get things done and move this state forward.
What are the key components of your political platform?
The key components of my platform are jobs, education, health care, ethics, transportation, and the environment.
Do you agree or disagree with the change(s) of delivery of government services?
Technology has had a tremendous impact on how government services are delivered. I agree with the changes because with new technology and systems delivering government services to constituents have become more efficient and effective. One way is the number of services that can be paid online such as water bills, auto tag renewal, and hiring of new employees. As these great policies are implemented, we must remember our family members, and neighbors who are not online or who do not own a computer.
What is your perspective on sales tax?
Sales tax is one method to create a revenue stream for government to provide needed services. The state collects a percentage of the sales tax on purchases of goods, and each county determines its own local sales tax rate. My perspective as the next Lt. Governor — I am committed to be a good steward of all tax dollars, and as I have said in the past, I require accountability and responsibility for the public tax dollars in the same frugal way as I do when I spend my own money.
How important is political experience to effectively perform the office you’re seeking?
Political experience is very important because understanding the process of creating public policy is important. I have sixteen years of political experience creating public policy on the state and local level. I chaired the Budget committee as a county commissioner; I chaired the Health committee as a state senator, and served as spokesperson on many issues for then Governor Roy Barnes.
What type of innovation, technology included, do you believe the government needs to consider?
In government we need innovation for reforming government in a way to strengthen tax dollars as far as possible. Technology should improve the process of service delivery to the constituents. An example is public safety officers using social media to solve crimes; reduce travel by offering training onsite through teleconferencing; protecting the confidentiality of public information and preventing identity theft.
Name three of your political accomplishments.
1. I am proud to have received the Gender Justice award for standing up and speaking out on many women’s issues and legislation I authored and coauthored to protect women and their families.
2. I co-authored legislation to create a seamless transportation system to move people throughout the Atlanta Region. Some progress has been made. Georgia’s population continues to increase and regional transportation for regions throughout this state is still a priority with more work to do. MARTA is only one part of the multi-faceted transportation challenge we face.
3. I authored a bill to protect children by allowing conviction information from law enforcement be provided to the state concerning any adult who will be living in foster homes where foster children reside.
Who are your political role models and/or allies?
Senate Minority Leader Steve Henson
House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams
Senator Jason Carter
Chairman Democratic Party Dubose Porter
Also I have their endorsement for Connie Stokes Lt. Governor
Define public servant?
A public servant is generally a person who is employed by the government either through appointment or election; one who serves the public. Other definitions are provided by various government entities.
Are M/WBE (Minority and Women-owned Business) certifications important? Why or why not?
They are important because it offers an opportunity for participation from those members of the community persons who may be at some disadvantage for various reasons. The reasons person may be at a disadvantage have been expanded over the years.
Do you think public and private partnerships are effective? If yes, provide an example.
Yes they are important. They provide service benefits and create jobs as in a bio-fuel company and government to look for innovative solutions to energy. Such a partnership provides research, fuel, innovations and jobs.
What is your perspective on privatization of government entities?
A big question for government is what should we privatize. Sometimes it is a good thing and sometimes it is not. In early 2014 the Georgia legislature considered a bill to outsource the services provided the children in state custody in foster care. This is not a good example of what should be privatized because private companies are driven by a profit motive, and children’s care should drive the decision as many children in foster care are already traumatized.
Complete the following sentences:
• I am the best candidate … because I am running to get Georgia back on track, because we need leadership that will support students and teachers and restore the billion dollar budget cuts for education. Get rid of teacher furlough days so students can go to school and compete with other countries where students spend far more time learning.
• I represent my constituents … because their priorities are my priorities, and I am a good steward of creating responsible public policy and accountability in government.
• The leadership books that have inspired me … are 5 levels of Leadership by John C. Maxwell, and Leaders: Strategies for Taking Charge” by Bert Nanus
• The two quotes/affirmations that I live by are …
The struggle of my life created empathy – I could relate to pain, being abandoned, having people not love me. Oprah Winfrey
I think the world would be a lot better off if more people were to define themselves in terms of their own standards and values and not what other people said or thought about them. Hillary Clinton
