ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, October 21, 1996 TAG: 9610210001
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
D - Democrat
R - Republican
L - Libertarian
VIP - Virginia Independent Party/Reform Party
What policy or policies do you advocate that would help Leonard Johnson - and others like him - who are having a hard time making ends meet?
FOR U.S. SENATE
Mark Warner (D)
``I will support efforts that help working families get ahead - such as making up to $10,000 of college tuition tax deductible. I'm against cutting $10 billion from student loans like my opponent voted to do. The impact a medical crisis has on a family's finances is another troubling issue. As the founding chair of the Virginia Health Care Foundation, I worked for real results that help people get the health care they need.''
John Warner (R)
``Mr. Johnson's dilemma is the very reason I have fought constantly during my tenure in the Senate to balance the budget, to reduce the national debt and to provide working Americans genuine tax relief.'' Says key to economic security for all Americans is to balance budget by 2002, keep interest rates down, and not allow ``a significant increase in the deficit.''
FOR 5TH DISTRICT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Virgil Goode (D)
``I applaud Mr. Johnson for his hard work and initiative. I favor a $10,000 tax deduction for education and vocational training to help families who want to educate their children or train for the jobs of the next century. That's the kind of tax cut that makes sense. Also, balancing the budget should help reduce interest rates and make credit more affordale.''
George Landrith (R)
``We must do the following: (1) institute a $500 per child tax credit; (2) increase take-home pay by reducing taxes by 15 percent; (3) permit American Dream Savings Accounts which would allow people to save tax-free for their children's education, purchasing a first home or important medical needs. By reducing the tax burden, families will have more of their own money to spend on their priorities.''
Tex Wood (VIP)
``Generally speaking, it's the obscene interest rate allowed to be charged by credit companies that needs attention before attention be given to expanding availability of credit to people who may be in trouble because of previous high-interest loans or charges.''
FOR 6TH DISTRICT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Bob Goodlatte (R)
``Outrageously high taxes are the key reason working families like the Johnsons are working more than ever but bringing home less. I've voted for tax relief for families - a $500-per-child tax credit, expanded IRAs for first-time homebuyers and for student loans, and a Taxpayers' Bill of Rights reining in the IRS.''
Jeff Grey (D)
``Increases in medical bills and other living expenses have made wages stagnate. I do not support unnecessary cuts in Medicaid or Medicare to support tax breaks for the rich because it hurts people like Leonard Johnson and his family. I support increases in opportunity for higher education.''
Jay Rutledge (L)
``Repeal of the income tax and elimination of the debt by selling federal assets will increase Leonard's income by one-fourth. Lenders will be free to meet the credit needs of people like Leonard when Federal Deposit Insurance and bank controls are repealed.''
FOR 9TH DISTRICT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Rick Boucher (D)
``First of all, Leonard is concerned about his children's education. President Clinton has proposed tax credits for attending community college or two years of a four-year college. I think that is an excellent idea.'' As for credit, proposes ``that Congress hold hearings next year on the scope of this problem and look for solutions. Finally, I support continued federal support for economic development in Southwest Virginia.''
Patrick Muldoon (R)
``I can certainly empathize with Leonard and hard-working Americans like him who, despite their tireless efforts, cannot make ends meet due to the greed of our lawmakers in Washington. When elected, I will work to reduce the tax burden on individuals so they can keep more of what they earn. I support Dole's 15 percent tax cut for families and a $500-per-child tax credit.''
Tom Roberts (VIP)
``In the past 14 years, while real earnings have decreased per number of hours worked per family, our Congress has doubled their own pay, given themselves million-dollar pensions and bankrupted our present and future economy with a $5 trillion federal debt. I will work toward a zero debt and then to lower taxes.''
LENGTH: Medium: 93 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICS CONGRESSby CNB