Candidate Responses for Nebraska Senate Seat 1

Comparing responses to Innovation & the Elections 2008 for:

Innovation

Science and technology have been responsible for half of the growth of the American economy since World War II. But several recent reports question America’s continued leadership in these vital areas. What policies would you support to ensure that America remains the world leader in innovation?

Michael Johanns

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Michael Johanns to participate by sending him an email today.

Scott Kleeb

Fifty years ago, the launch of Sputnik sent shockwaves around the world. We responded not simply with the Arms Race or the Space Race, but by passing the National Defense Education Act and reinvesting in our children and the sciences to create the most well-educated workforce on Earth.

Today's challenges aren't as tangible, but that doesn't make them any less real. From soaring gas prices to climate change, this is a moment that calls us to action once again. That’s why I believe we need a National Defense Education Act (NDEA) for the 21st Century.

This starts with investing in the sciences and developing a new energy economy right here at home. That means investing in ethanol technologies of all kinds as well as wind, solar, biomass, even methane captured from livestock. It also means investing in our workforce and supporting lifelong education.

Climate Change

The Earth’s climate is changing and there is concern about the potentially adverse effects of these changes on life on the planet. What is your position on the following measures that have been proposed to address global climate change—a cap-and-trade system, a carbon tax, increased fuel-economy standards, and research? Are there other policies you would support?

Michael Johanns

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Michael Johanns to participate by sending him an email today.

Scott Kleeb

The science is clear – we are facing a global climate change that is already affecting our environment. It is time to stop questioning sound science and start focusing on how to implement the type of change needed not only to reduce our carbon footprint, but to ensure that our children will have a brighter future. Further, because scientific integrity is critical to each and every issue that we hold dear, we must stop allowing scientific findings to be edited with a political pen.

I prefer a cap-and-trade system to help reduce our carbon emissions to a carbon tax. A cap-and-trade system not only provides certainty in carbon reductions, it is less disruptive to the market and businesses. Additionally, I support fuel-economy standards, such as the Renewable Fuel Standard, and believe increased research and development are critical to realizing the potential of renewable technologies.

Energy

Many scientists and policymakers say energy security and sustainability are major problems facing the United States this century. What policies would you support to meet the demand for energy while ensuring an economically and environmentally sustainable future?

Michael Johanns

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Michael Johanns to participate by sending him an email today.

Scott Kleeb

Washington’s lack of leadership in defining and implementing a national energy policy is not only bad for the environment and for our national security, it is also bad for Americans who are now struggling to get ahead because of soaring gas prices. The time has come to get real about our energy future. This means investing in renewable technologies, which are in abundance in Great Plains states like Nebraska. I will support use of, research on, and development of renewable technologies, including corn- and cellulosic-based ethanol, wind, solar, and even methane sequestration. Moreover, I will support and protect the Renewable Energy Standard and will work to secure funding to retrofit gas stations so they can sell E85 fuel.

Education

A comparison of 15-year-olds in 30 wealthy nations found that average science scores among U.S. students ranked 17th, while average U.S. math scores ranked 24th. What role do you think the federal government should play in preparing K-12 students for the science and technology driven 21st Century?

Michael Johanns

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Michael Johanns to participate by sending him an email today.

Scott Kleeb

As a father, I am deeply committed to improving science and technology programs in our schools.

To remain a global leader, the United States must continue to make great strides in science and technology. To do that, we must ensure that our schools prepare our kids to enter into the increasingly competitive and technological global economy. This begins with improving our achievement in math and science and our education system generally. Moreover, we must actively recruit high quality math and science teachers dedicated to giving our girls and boys the education they deserve. Already we are seeing corporations encouraging their engineers to teach in our schools and hosting math and science teacher camps. We must do more to continue this trend.

But preparing our kids for the challenges of the next generation doesn’t stop there. It also includes supporting children early in development because we know that a well-fed child is both a healthier child and one more equip to learn. And it includes instilling in our children a love of learning – something that simply can’t be achieved when we limit teachers to just teaching to the test.

Water

Thirty-nine states expect some level of water shortage over the next decade, and scientific studies suggest that a majority of our water resources are at risk. What policies would you support to meet demand for water resources?

Michael Johanns

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Michael Johanns to participate by sending him an email today.

Scott Kleeb

From the drought that has plagued the Plains States for approximately the past decade to the floods that recently flowed through the Midwest, farmers, other business owners, and homeowners alike face significant challenges from water.

In addition to pursuing conservation efforts that are practical and economic, I believe we must explore hydropower and develop ways to expand its capabilities, and we must do more to remove invasive species that are sapping our water supply. Moreover, it is critical that we increase funding for research and development for efforts to produce biodiesel from plant varietals that require less water, such as mustard seed, and subterranean drips, the next generation of irrigation techniques. And we must support important work being done at institutions like the University of Nebraska Drought Mitigation Center.

To protect against flood damage, we must make a commitment to repairing and strengthening our levee system. This is critical not only to avoid another Katrina, but also to protect crops, family homes, and businesses.

Research

For many years, Congress has recognized the importance of science and engineering research to realizing our national goals. Given that the next Congress will likely face spending constraints, what priority would you give to investment in basic research in upcoming budgets?

Michael Johanns

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Michael Johanns to participate by sending him an email today.

Scott Kleeb

For too long, Washington has allowed debt spending to be the norm. We must turn the tide on unchecked – and unprincipled – deficit spending, and we must begin to focus more on helping hard-working Americans who can’t get ahead because they’re suffering from the high costs of everything from fuel to food. However, investment in basic research is critical to our development of home-grown energy sources and the development of our economy. We must do better.

After years of slashed funding, which has served as a detriment of our nation’s competitiveness, it is time for the federal government to recommit to funding basic research. We know that some of our proudest moments in science, like our foray into space, began because of committed government funding in basic research. To lead in the 21st Century, our government must continue this commitment.

Health

Americans are increasingly concerned with the cost, quality, and availability of health care. How do you see science, research, and technology contributing to improved health and quality of life?

Michael Johanns

All candidates have been invited to respond to the Innovation & the Elections 2008 questionnaire on science and technology policy. Urge Michael Johanns to participate by sending him an email today.

Scott Kleeb

From the polio vaccination to the first heart transplant, advances in medicine and medical technology have bettered – and lengthened the quality – of all of our lives. As we face the medical challenges ahead, it again will be the medical research and technology experts who we will turn to for answers and relief. I believe that by continuing our investment in science and technology, including bioresearch and biomedicine, we are making an investment in our health and our futures. Our kids deserve no less.

Scientists & Engineers for America

Candidate Responses for Nebraska Senate Seat 1

Innovation

Michael Johanns

Scott Kleeb

Climate Change

Michael Johanns

Scott Kleeb

Energy

Michael Johanns

Scott Kleeb

Education

Michael Johanns

Scott Kleeb

Water

Michael Johanns

Scott Kleeb

Research

Michael Johanns

Scott Kleeb

Health

Michael Johanns

Scott Kleeb

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