Scott Howell in 2000 National Political Awareness Test

On Abortion: Legal only for rape, incest, or maternal health

Howell indicated support of the following principles:
• Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape.
• Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
• Abortions should be limited by waiting periods and notification requirements as decided by each state government.
• Howell adds, "Legal when health of mother endangered." Source: 2000 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

  On Civil Rights: Continue affirmative action programs

  Howell indicated support of the following principles on affirmative action.
  • The federal government should consider race and sex in making government contracting decisions.
  • The federal government should continue affirmative action programs.
  • The federal government should utilize merit and qualifications in making government contracting decisions.
  Source: 2000 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

  On Crime: Truth in sentencing: serve full sentences with no parole

  Howell indicated support of the following principles on crime:
  • Impose "truth in sentencing" for violent criminals so they serve full sentences with no chance of parole.
  • Increase funding for community policing programs.
  • Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
  • Require that crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, and disability be prosecuted as federal hate crimes.
  • Provide block grants to states for implementation of programs to combat juvenile crime.
  • Impose harsher penalties for youths convicted of violent offenses.
  • Support the use of "boot camps" as alternative sentencing for juvenile offenders.
  • Support programs that provide job training and placement services for at-risk youth.
  Source: 2000 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

  On Crime: Broaden the use of the death penalty

  Howell indicated support of the following principles on crime:
  • Broaden the use of the death penalty for federal crimes.
  • Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
  • Support programs to provide prison inmates with drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
  • Increase penalties for crimes committed on school grounds.
  Source: 2000 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

  On Drugs: Decriminalize medical marijuana

  Howell indicated support of the following principles on illegal drugs.
  • Increase penalties for selling illegal drugs.
  • Support mandatory jail sentences for selling illegal drugs.
  • Expand federally sponsored drug education and drug treatment programs.
  • Decriminalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
  • Increase border security to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S.
  Source: 2000 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

  On Education: More funding for teachers & classrooms & charters

  Howell indicated support of the following principles on education:
  • Support charter schools where teachers and professionals receive authorization and funding to establish new schools.
  • Promote education flexibility by giving federal funds, in the form of block grants, to the states to spend it as they see fit.
  • Increase funding for block grants to states to help them hire additional teachers.
  • Increase funding for computers and computer training in public schools.
  • Increase funding for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings and infrastructure).
  • Eliminate restrictions on federal education funding, giving educators or local school districts more flexibility to design and implement their programs.
  Source: 2000 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

  On Education: More resources for teachers, kindergarten, and technology

  I will be committed to make the New Economy work for all Americans. Quality education is a primary component of our new society and I will continue the personal emphasis I placed on our schools by working to ensure greater resources for teachers in the classroom, kindergarten for all Utah children and enabling districts to provide technology to students. Source: 2000 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

  On Energy & Oil: Develop and use alternative fuels

  Howell indicated support of the following principles on America's environment and natural resources.
  • Encourage further development and use of alternative fuels to reduce pollution.
  • Strengthen emission controls on all gasoline or diesel-powered engines, including cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles.
  • Give states added flexibility from the federal government in enforcing and funding federal environment regulations.
  Source: 2000 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

  On Families & Children: Restrict minors' access to TV, movies, and Internet

  Q: Do you believe there has been a decline in moral and ethical standards in America over the last four decades?

  A: Yes. As a state senator, I utilized my powers to promote parental responsibility and societal concern towards the entertainment impact upon Utah's children. Through a resolution I passed, I was able to motivate local theaters to enforce restrictive ratings on movies. Another resolution I passed urges television networks to air violent programs only late at night. I also passed SB 243 (Minor's Access to Harmful Material on the Internet) amending provisions defining "material harmful to minors" to include material available through the Internet.

  Source: 2000 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

  On Free Trade: Supports NAFTA, GATT,WTO, and fast-track

  Q: Do you support the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)?

  A: Yes.

  Q: Do you support the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)?

  A: Yes.

  Q: Do you support continued U.S. membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO)?

  A: Yes.

  Q: Do you support China becoming a member of the World Trade Organization?

  A: Yes.

  Q: Should a nation's human rights record affect its normal trade relations (most favored nation status) with the United States?

  A: Yes.

  Q: Do you support granting the President "fast-track" authority in trade negotiations?

  A: Yes.

  Q: Do you support the trade embargo against Cuba?

  A: No.

  Source: 2000 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

  On Government Reform: Taxpayer funding for Congressional candidates

  Howell indicated support of the following principles on campaign finance:
  • Support public taxpayer funding for Congressional candidates who comply with campaign spending limits.
  • Provide free or low-cost television advertising to candidates who agree to voluntary campaign spending limits.
  • Ban unregulated soft money campaign contributions to political parties or committees.
  • Prohibit non-U.S. citizens from making soft money contributions to national parties or party committees.
  • Require full disclosure of funding sources of issue advocacy commercials which appear within 60 days of an election. Source: 2000 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

    On Gun Control: Background checks, but concealed carry ok

    Howell indicated support of the following principles on gun issues.
    • Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing federal restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
    • Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
    • Increase penalties for the possession of any illegal guns.
    • Require background checks of gun buyers at gun shows.
    Source: 2000 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

    On Health Care: Patient's Bill of Rights; Medicare opt-in at age 55

    Howell indicated support of the following principles on health issues.
    • Support a Patient's Bill of Rights to define and enforce the rights of insured patients, including greater access to specialists and emergency rooms, wider choice of health care providers, and appeal mechanisms when claims are denied.
    • Support a Patient's Bill of Rights which includes the right to appeal to an administrative board of specialists when services are denied.
    • Provide tax incentives to small businesses that provide health care to their employees.
    • Expand eligibility for tax-free medical savings accounts, which would be taxed if used for purposes other than medical costs.
    • Provide citizens age 55-65 the option of purchasing Medicare health coverage.
    • Support legislation to provide prescription drug coverage under Medicare.
    • Increase funding for AIDS programs.
    Source: 2000 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

    On Homeland Security: Increase funding for military hardware & personnel

    Q: Indicate what levels of federal funding you support for the following categories. Armed Forces personnel training?

    A: Slightly Increase Funding.

    Q: Covert intelligence operations?

    A: Maintain Funding Status.

    Q: Defense plant conversion?

    A: Slightly Increase Funding.

    Q: Military hardware?

    A: Slightly Increase Funding.

    Q: Military space shuttle missions?

    A: Slightly Increase Funding.

    Q: Pay for active duty personnel?

    A: Slightly Increase Funding.

    Q: National Missile Defense Program?

    A: Maintain Funding Status.

    Q: Modernization of weaponry and equipment?

    A: Slightly Increase Funding.

    Q: Programs to improve military retention rates?

    A: Greatly Increase Funding.

    Q: Research and development of new weapons?

    A: Slightly Increase Funding.

    Q: Troop and equipment readiness?

    A: Slightly Increase Funding

  Source: 2000 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

  On Immigration: Increase immigration quota & state aid for immigants

  Howell indicated support of the following principles on immigration.
  • Provide extra federal aid to states with higher numbers of immigrants for necessary medical and social services.
  • Increase the immigration quota for computer scientists and other information technology workers.
  • Increase state autonomy in handling immigration issues.
  Source: 2000 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

  On Social Security: Allow self-investing payroll tax in private accounts

  Howell indicated support of the following principles on Social Security.
  • Allow workers to invest a portion of their payroll tax in private accounts which they manage themselves.
  • Require individuals to pay the Social Security tax on incomes above $68,400 (which is currently exempt).
  • Support a lock box measure, limiting Congress's ability to spend Social Security surpluses on any other federal programs, until long-term solvency is guaranteed.
  Source: 2000 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

  On Tax Reform: Increase tax on high earners; decrease tax on low earners

  Q: Indicate what levels you support for Income Taxes for families with income in the following categories: Less than $25,000?

  A: Slightly Decrease.

  Q: $25,000-$75,000?

  A: Slightly Decrease.

  Q: $75,000-$150,000?

  A: Slightly Increase.

  Q: Should a married couple filing jointly pay the same taxes as if they were an unmarried couple filing separately?

  A: Yes.

  Source: 2000 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

  On Technology: Promote innovation, entrepreneurship & high-tech development

  Q: Please explain what your top two or three priorities will be if elected. Please explain how you would obtain any additional government funding needed to implement these priorities.

  A: As a United States Senator, I will be committed to make the New Economy work for all Americans. The government must promote innovation and entrepreneurship, an activity I aggressively pursued in passing important legislation to promote high-technology development in our state. Quality education is a primary component of our new society and I will continue the personal emphasis I placed on our schools by working to ensure greater resources for teachers in the classroom, kindergarten for all Utah children and enabling districts to provide technology to students.

  Source: 2000 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

  On War & Peace: US into Iraq only as part of international effort

  Howell indicated support of the following principles on the Middle East.
  • The U.S. should take military action against Iraq only as part of an international effort.
  • The U.S. should continue to play a prominent leadership role in the peace process between Israel and the Palestine Authority.
  • The U.S. should participate in United Nations peacekeeping missions only when vital U.S. interests are involved.
  • Howell adds, "US troops committed depend on cause." Source: 2000 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

    On Welfare & Poverty: Direct poverty aid through religious & community groups

    Howell supports these principles regarding welfare:
    • Provide homeless families with apartment vouchers.
    • Continue to give states and local governments responsibility for welfare programs through TANF block grants.
    • Maintain current welfare-to-work requirements in order for states to qualify for block grants.
    • Transfer homeless housing programs to states through block grants.
    • Direct federal poverty aid through religious, community-based or other non-profit organizations.
    Source: Congressional 2000 Utah National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

    The above quotations are from Election 2000 National Political Awareness Test, by Project Vote Smart. Click here for other excerpts from Election 2000 National Political Awareness Test, by Project Vote Smart. Click here for other excerpts by Scott Howell. Click here for a profile of Scott Howell.

    Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org! Click for details -- or send donations to: 1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140 E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org (We rely on your support!)

    
    Page last updated: Nov 29, 2018