Steve G Parsons
LibertarianQ1 America has a growing AI industry, supporting cutting-edge innovation but raising issues of resource use, privacy, and economics. In your opinion, what are the costs and benefits of new data center construction in Arkansas and how would your policies accomplish a balance between them?
“I don’t want governments to provide corporate welfare or favoritism to data centers (like the $1 billion/year tax benefit in Virginia). But I don’t want government to artificially burden data centers either. Bills that require data centers to pay their own way (or to reduce regulations to allow them to more readily produce their own power would be acceptable to me.”
Q2 Making the US competitive in the bioeconomy (using technology applied to renewable biological resources to produce food, energy, and industrial goods) requires innovation and investments in business, academia, and government. Please describe policies you will support, if any, that relate to workforce development in Arkansas’ strengths such as agriculture and biotechnology; and explain their rationale.
“I would look for the major government regulations that handicap such activities. I would attempt to eliminate such regulations (such as the 1920 Jones Act that forces shipment of agricultural products between two US ports using ships that are twice as old and 5 times as expensive as those used by other countries.”
Q3 What are your opinions on the current state of science literacy, and how could K-12 education standards be adapted to improve the public understanding of and relationship building in science?
“Arkansas has moved up in the ranks of states in recent years (although still below the national average). However, in math in particular, we are below the OECD average. Our ranking in science is only slightly better. Partnerships with science-based businesses would greatly help. Unfortunately, there is substantial science denial in segments of the AR population. For example, fully 10% of the population (higher among younger people) believe the earth is flat and another 9% are unsure whether it is flat or spherical. An even higher percentage believe in an helio-centric (earth-centered) solar system or even helio-centric universe. We need to help young people understand the difference between critical thinking - and simply rejecting standard knowledge and authority. A short module in a class on sources would help. For example, using the top medical sources (e.g., Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Harvard …) with a medical search term (such as MMR vaccine safety and effectiveness) eliminates the vast majority of misinformation in a search. As a Libertarian candidate (who believes we should question government) , it is easier for me to talk about these topics without people automatically stop listening.”