Re: 03/21/09
Town hall Meeting w/ Congressman George Miller
-
minimize school
layoffs
-
money for food
stamps, food pantries
-
extend
unemployment insurance
-
try to extend
COBRA benefits, 60% subsidy
-
$2500 tax credit
for college students
-
Child tax credit
increase
-
School
construction money, to be spent locally
In
the long term – need to retire debt, put money in following, and bring
manufacturing in solar /energy back to US
-
reform health
care
-
address
dependence on foreign oil
-
emphasis on
education
-
healthcare
reform – health IT- computerize benefits to prevent errors in prescriptions,
charting, etc.
Q) How will government address the uninsured – what’s happening
with
Health
Care Reform?
A) We are starting the conversation to change Health Care. Looking at
options
– 46million people need health care extended; would like to see Medicare
available for all. Congressman’s
committee is looking at a public plan – like Medicare – requiring
contributions. Questions is who pays – employer? Employee contribution? Health
care business and drug industry doesn’t support. Want to drop age and include children.
Q)
Home loans – can
the interest rate be lowered.
A) If this is done, could undercapitalize banks and they will
fail. Ripples to
other
areas e.g. schools, pension plans, other businesses, etc. Recommend look to file for bankruptcy which
will tell true value of assets.
Q)
Deficit spending
– why would anyone want to buy debt from US?
A) This is a legitimate question. Chinese don’t get well if we don’t get well;
if
we
crash, take most of western world and
Q) Education/WCCUSD – debt passed down from 20 years ago, what
type of
debt
relief is being discussed for the WCCUSD?
A) Congressman Miller/Loni Hancock/T Torlakson working together
on this.
Would
like to get debt forgiven, $14M coming to schools to address issues.
Q) Schools costs – any money for healthcare, modernization of
schools?
A) money will go to the Districts based on Title I formula,
other funding IDEA
for
students w/ disabilities, third funding source is from the State formula.
Includes money set aside for school construction. Hopefully superintendents put emphasis on
school construction/repairs because people most excited about this. Want to see layoffs minimized. Regarding health care, like to see national
plan available to schools.
Q)
Would government
consider tax relief if you are 65 or older, and make less than $50k a year?
A) this would be expensive; taxes should be determined by
ability to pay not
by
age
Q) Students working to pay basic expenses expel them from
receiving PEL
grants
– can this be adjusted or funding from other sources found?
A) money goes to schools per a formula; stabilization fund uses
are up to the
determination
of the school boards. PEL is income
determined, haven’t dealt with question of offsets.
Q) Comment on a line item veto for the President.
A) Not a great way to do this; Congress should make decisions
regarding
spending.
Q)
Health Care Plan
– how will the money be distributed to mental health,
parenting,
early intervention in schools.
A) Created mental health parody treating mental illness the same
as other
medical
issues under health care coverage, passed last year – for insured plans, must
be included as same as medical illness, injury.
Q) Will money go directly to the school districts?
A) want money to go to schools, talking with Attorney General,
under Fed law
must
go directly to district – what President wants and what I want. Don’t want it
to go to State for distribution.
Q)
Will
accountability be attached to money given to banks?
A) before election, 09/08, banks asked for money, the President
wouldn’t
sign
a bill with accountability provisions in it.
Raising issues regarding this w/ Treasury department regarding banks,
foreclosures, rules, etc.
Q)
Special ed
classes – how will these be impacted?
A) IDEA established a federal right that children have right to
education; need
more
teachers/training/services. Funding sources
include Title I, IDEA, and general aid to schools.
Q) Employee Freedom of Choice Act - comment
A) I proposed, it passed the House, majority of employees who
sign cards for
a
union will get a union. Probably have
250 votes, Senate take first and have votes to pass.
Q) Immigration laws – how will these protect us and our borders?
A) Concern with illegal immigration, and drug runners - we have
a bad
relationship
–
Q)
Greed of
lenders/re-fiing home loans – they refuse to refi
A) I support bankruptcy because of the lack of cooperation with
the banks – if
you
file, you can protect your secondary homes, boats, etc., but you can’t protect
your principle place of residence.
Once bankruptcy occurs, this will put pressure on banks to address the
issue. Looking at legislation to address
this -- passed the house, think it will pass the Senate. Looking at lowering
payments to 30% of lowest payment, reduce interest rates; see it’s starting to
happen. President’s home bill –
receiving good reviews from business and finance community.