League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
	Hamilton County, OH November 4, 2008 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Treasurer; County of Hamilton

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Pressing Issues, Implementation Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. What are the two most pressing issues you will face if you are elected? (50 word limit) Answer from Robert A. Goering: The two most pressing issues are: 1)Limiting the growth of government and 2) doing "more with less" in order to serve the citizens of our great county. Answer from Steve Brinker: Outstanding delinquencies and how to cope with the budget crisis confronting the county are the most pressing issues facing the County Treasurer. Related to these is the decline in tax valuations as the foreclosure rate soars to new highs. 2. How will you address each of those issues? (100 word limit) Answer from Steve Brinker: My first priority will be contacting taxpayers quickly when they fail to pay taxes, working with them when possible, and pursue delinquents much sooner than is currently done. I will also act immediately to create a land reutilization program authorized by a Bill currently pending in the Ohio legislature. Working in cooperation with the County Commissioners, I will work to alleviate the current budget crisis. I will do all of this by being a full-time treasurer. Answer from Robert A. Goering: I believe that government can do more for the citizens without creating large bureaucracies. In the Treasurer's Office, I have cut the general fund budget over 5% since 1992 + in actual dollars. My top priority is to continue with programs that serve the taxpayers without expanding the cost of government, like credit card payments, Treasurers Optional Payment Program, and expanded Unclaimed Funds program. I have also created a new program to sell tax liens to private collectors, enabling us to collect delinquencies faster. These types of programs do more for our citizens without expanding bureaucracy. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. The answer must not exceed 100 words. Direct references to opponents are not permitted. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.