Democratic candidate Julie Luton is running for the State Representative District 70 seat. She was unopposed in the March Democratic primary election, and will run against Republican Scott Sanford, who was also unopposed in the primary election, in the Nov. 6 General Election. Community Impact Newspaper sent Luton a series of questions on her candidacy. Her written responses, edited for publication style, are below. Q: What is your current occupation? A: I am currently a community volunteer, church leader and committed advocate for public schools. Q: Why are you running for House of Representatives, District 70? A: I am running so that all residents of our district will have someone who will work hard to reflect their beliefs in funding public education, sensible business and immigration policies and sustainable energy solutions. Q: Why are you qualified for this position? A: My experience as a small business owner and as a volunteer who has spent hundreds of hours in our schools, churches and philanthropies has provided me with first-hand insights into the many issues facing our community. I understand the importance of striking a balance between business needs with the essential values of our residents. Q: What issues do you feel the county will face over the next five years? A: Our county and our state must address school financing reform, decide how to handle our growing population and transportation issues, support local control in our cities and counties, continue developing sustainable energy sources, protect our air and watersheds and advocate for lowering property taxes. Q: If elected, how will you address those issues? A: School financing is a complex issue that will require a variety of solutions, but we must stop any discussion of funding outside schools with public education money. Our state would be violating our constitution and failing Texans’ trust by using taxpayer dollars for schools that ultimately do not answer to our citizens but rather to those interested in profit. Through negotiation, we must solve the multicity [US] 380 dilemma and address the growing crisis on how to fund roads, highways and infrastructure needs, whether through managed toll lanes, gas taxes or use of money earmarked for other projects. Our local representatives must band together to ensure the state does not exert outsize control on local ordinances, such as the Denton fracking ban, so we can maintain our city and county autonomy. If we are to manage responsibly the explosion of growth in Collin County, we simply must address how we provide clean energy and water to our businesses and residents. I will sponsor job-creating renewable energy and water management legislation that gives our district an advantage and prepares us for the future. We must lower property tax rates, which are too high in a direct response to the state’s decision to reduce investment in our public schools while those same schools experience population growth and unfunded state mandates. More information about Luton and her campaign can be found online at www.julieluton4texas.com.