Rep. Elijah Behnke is running for his fourth term in the Wisconsin Assembly, facing a challenge from Shirley Hinze.
Behnke, a Republican who is moving into a home in the Town of Angelica after two years in the Town of Chase, is looking for a second two-year term representing the 6th Assembly District, which includes most of Shawano County, all of Menominee County, and segments of Oconto, Waupaca and Outagamie counties.
Hinze, a Democrat and Shawano resident, had previously challenged Behnke for the seat in the Assembly two years ago.
NEW Media sent questionnaires to Behnke and Hinze to ascertain their stances affecting people in the state of Wisconsin. Their responses to two of the questions follow. The remaining questions will be published in the weeks leading up to the Nov. 3 election.
What is your stance on data centers in the state of Wisconsin? What steps should the legislature take to ensure residents don’t pay in one way or another if a data center is built in the community?
Behnke: I started doing some research. I’ve met with people that are opposed to them and are concerned about their effect on the environment, whether it be the 100,000 gallons of antifreeze and what we’re going to do with that after it’s past its good use. I do support limitations, and I voted on a bill that would require closed loop, and they would have to provide their own power. I definitely do not want any increase on public utilities.
I would consider them a necessary evil for the (U.S.) Department of War, but I don’t think we need them for everyday life. I don’t 100% oppose them, because I do think we need to win the AI (artificial intelligence) race with China, but I don’t want them in our backyard.
Hinze: I support a moratorium on data centers. However, data centers have become a necessary evil because the public has come to depend on them. I will work on laws to regulate them and have encouraged local communities to do so as well. But it isn’t just the data centers that need to be regulated, it is the corporations that build them. I will work on laws that hold them accountable for any environmental damage they do, require them to find their own power and water supply and make sure they are built in areas that don’t encroach on any community ability to expand.
What is your position on the state’s open enrollment and voucher programs for schools? Should they be kept, modified or eliminated?
Hinze: My position on the voucher program is to eliminate it. Taxpayers money should go to support local public schools, not pay tuition to private schools that are not required to meet the state’s education requirements. It already has siphoned off money to the point some local schools could be forced to close.
Behnke: I think they should be kept. I like parents having as many choices possible for what’s best for their kid.
