ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, October 2, 1996 TAG: 9610020013
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
D - Democrat
R - Republican
L - Libertarian
VIP - Virginia Independent Party/Reform Party
What policy or policies do you advocate that would help Sue Horsley - and others like her -who are concerned about finding themselves unemployed, or who already are unemployed?
FOR U.S. SENATE
Mark Warner (D)
``The student loan program helps many like Sue who wouldn't otherwise have the resources to get a needed education. It must be protected. We need to encourage companies to invest in their people [to upgrade skills] as well as their plant and equipment.'' Finally, I support making up to $10,000 of college tuition tax deductible so people like Sue can afford to finish school.''
John Warner (R)
``Ms. Horsley should explore with the guidance personnel the 'School-to-Work' program, a measure I supported, which encourages high schools, colleges, and vocational training schools to enter into partnerships with business and government agencies to provide on-the-job experience and incentives for students to complete their educations.''
FOR 5TH DISTRICT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Virgil Goode (D)
For the region to attract jobs, ``we must have good schools, a good transportation system and a climate that encourages businesses to locate in this area.'' Backs Interstate 73, upgrading U.S. 58, reducing class sizes in K-3, and strong community colleges. Proposes extending unemployment benefits to workers who lose jobs when employer moves operations outside United States.
George Landrith (R)
Backs tax-free accounts to save for home, medical expenses or education, which he says would help workers pay for retraining. Also suggests public assistance for re-training, provided workers meet standards, such as passing grades. Cautions ``we can't afford to send everyone to law school just because they lose their job somewhere. We can't bankrupt America.''
Tex Wood (VIP)
``Sue hasn't fallen through any crack or missed any 'safety net.' She has been shoved into an abyss. The cycle set up by the exploding trade deficit of fewer jobs, the resulting diminished spending power and tax base, then the increased pressure on social programs with even less revenue has Sue on a treadmill that would break Job. We need at least some form of protection for Americans where absolutely none exist now.``If we had not bowed to the supply-side, multi-national corporations by passing NAFTA and GATT, Sue wouldn't be worried about unemployment compensation. Unless we get some form of fair trade relief, I'd suggest Sue change her major to Spanish or Chinese, where there may be some demand for her graphic artist skills.'' We need to fix the cause of her winding up out of work. Meanwhile, we have to be certain that she won't have to wind up on welfare in order to have medical coverage for her two kids.''
FOR 6TH DISTRICT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Bob Goodlatte (R)
``Making job training efforts more efficient and helpful is important and that's what I voted to do in Congress. The Congress is providing record levels of Pell grants and work-study funds for college students like Ms. Horsley, along with an increase of 50 percent in the volume of student loans. I've also focused on helping create high-quality, high-paying jobs in the valley.''
Jeff Grey (D)
``Sue Horsley would be a lot better off if employers that are downsizing would offer job retraining and job placement assistance. Major reforms in corporate welfare and ending tax breaks that encourage our corporations to move out of the country would create more security and a better economy for everyone.''
Jay Rutledge (L)
``Prosperity will provide Sue with true job security. One half of the money earned in America now goes for the support of government. Political regulation of the economy stifles growth and opportunity. We must restore a self-regulating, politically impartial, free market economy.''
FOR 9TH DISTRICT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Rick Boucher (D)
``The job training program I am proposing would be critically important here. What is important is that unemployed people need not rely on a program as tenuous as unemployment compensation. I support a federal job training program open to all people who lose their jobs.''
Patrick Muldoon (R)
``Like many students, I had to borrow money and work part-time to pay for school but the hard work and sacrifice pays off. ``Education is the key to a better future for Southwest Virginians. As individuals we must assume the responsibility for improving our lives. For Sue, it may mean taking out student loans or finding a part-time job. Providing for one's family is not easy, yet we can't look to Washington to solve all our individual problems.''
Tom Roberts (VIP)
``The closing of the Sara Lee plant is another casualty of NAFTA. [Even] with retraining, there is still a lack of good jobs locally because of NAFTA. I advocate the repeal of NAFTA. Unfortunately, since the national debt has risen so much in the past 14 years, there isn't much the federal government can do for Sue Horsley from the financial side.''
LENGTH: Long : 103 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICS CONGRESSby CNB