League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 5, 2013 Election
	Michelle Dillingham Answers Questions Candidate for Member of Council; City of Cincinnati

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What are your qualifications for office? (50 word limit)

-Aide to former Vice Mayor Crowley for 4 years
-Long-standing service on several boards with significant fiscal responsibilities, including a state-wide commission
-Manager for workforce development programs for low-income Cincinnatians
-Experienced policy maker, committed advocate, and respected community partner
-Unwavering passion for a thriving Cincinnati for all

2. How would you balance the City Budget? (100 word limit)

The people of Cincinnati pay taxes, which in turn support city services that provide safety, health, and infrastructure. In order for us to be a safe, attractive, and thriving city we need to properly fund city services. I have proposed a number of policy efforts that will help balance the budget without compromising the services we owe to the taxpayer. They include ensuring the city does a better job at collecting taxes we are already owed + without an increase. These include ensuring we are responsibly using property tax abatements, and addressing the problem of misclassification of employees as independent contractors.

3. Plan Cincinnati calls for the city to adopt a citizen engagement policy. What would you include in such a policy? (100 word limit)

The hallmark of good government is that civic engagement is valued, and sought after. Civic engagement fosters pride, empowerment, and investment. Involving the community in a genuine way is critical. My civic service over the years has given me first-hand experience of how valuable civic engagement is. I am convinced that if city leadership would do better at civic engagement we would not see as many efforts at governance by referendum, which would save everyone valuable time and money. I look forward to any and all opportunities to promote policies for city council and the administration to incorporate civic engagement.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits may apply. See individual questions for specific word limits. Direct references to opponents are not permitted. Please edit your work before submitting. We are unable to provide spell-check at this time.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 7, 2013 13:46
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