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SOCIAL ACTION LINKING TOGETHER (SALT)---2011
Candidate Survey - 2011
THIS QUESTIONAIRE REQUESTS YOUR POSITIONS ON SALT’S TOP LEGISLATIVE ISSUES FOR 2012. Your responses will be shared with our members and others via mailings and our website (www.s a l t.org ) as a helpful guide in their choice of candidates. Your answers will not be abbreviated or taken out of context. Thank you for your commitment to public service and for your willingness to share your opinions with SALT.
Your Name: __________________________
District: __________________________
1. RAPID RE-HOUSING PILOT PROGRAM: Do you support funding of a rental assistance pilot program in Virginia? If not, what strategies do you propose to help close the gap between low wages and the rising cost of housing? Please explain.
2. TANF BENEFIT INCREASE: What steps would you support to ensure a meaningful level of time-limited assistance to Virginia’s needy families? Please explain.
3. TANF BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN EX-OFFENDERS: To us it is a matter of fairness that families with children have access to transitional support services such as job seeking, job prep and job keeping, child care and treatment—all of which are proven Re-entry program services that reduce recidivism and save states money. Do you support extending the eligibility of ex-offenders for food stamps to TANF benefits as well? Please explain.
4. Tax & Budget: We know from local research across Virginia that the recent State budget cuts have cut into real, quality of life spending by local governments: libraries are closed, police have lost staff positions, teachers have lost their jobs, and class sizes increase for public school students. At the same time, too many large corporations operating in our State get by with paying very little in corporate income tax due to tax breaks, subsidies, and clever work by their tax lawyers. How will you make sure that individuals and corporations at the upper end of our income scale pay their fair share so that we can avoid painful service cuts in the future?
5. Avoid Future Budget Shortfalls: As you know, over the course of the recession, Virginia has cut billions from core services spending on things like education, health care, public safety and transportation. As we work toward closing our future budget shortfalls will you consider a balanced budget approach that includes new revenues to ensure the State can meet its obligations?
6. Work Across the Aisle: How will you work to avoid deadlock, paralysis, and unrelenting rigidity and build consensus for meeting current needs and build for the future?
CANDIDATE RESPONSES:
SALT Candidate Survey - 2011
Name: Janet Howell
District: 32nd Senate
1. RAPID RE-HOUSING PILOT PROGRAM:
Yes, I support.
2. TANF BENEFIT INCREASE:
I support increasing benefits. I also support indexing -- as you know. I have been patron of budget amendments to do so.
3. TANF BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN EX-OFFENDERS.
Yes, I support.
4. Tax & Budget:
We need a comprehensive review of our whole tax system to make it confirm to 21st century facts and to insure fairness.
5. Avoid Future Budget Shortfalls - balanced approach including new revenues:
Yes -- for transportation.
6. Work Across the Aisle:
I am known for my efforts across regional and party lines. Efforts for autism and mental health law reform demonstrate that.
I am determined to protect human services and education. Currently I am working to divert people with mental illness away from our jails and prisons.
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Name: Linda T. "Toddy" Puller
District: 36th Senatorial District of Virginia
1. RAPID RE-HOUSING PILOT PROGRAM: Do you support funding of a rental assistance pilot program in Virginia?
Yes
2. TANF BENEFIT INCREASE: I think the federal government needs to get its fiscal house in order or the states won't get any help from them.
3. TANF BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN EX-OFFENDERS: Yes. I carried the bill to do this several years ago.
4. TAX & BUDGET: We need corporations and businesses so we have jobs.
5. AVOID FUTURE BUDGET SHORTFALLS: I don't believe tax increases will pass at this time.
6. WORK ACROSS THE AISLE: I work across the aisle all the time.
*A hard copy of this questionnaire is also being mailed.
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DELEGATE PATRICK HOPE
VIRGINIA HOUSE OF DELEGATES – 47TH DISTRICT
1. Rapid Rehousing Pilot Program – Yes, I am a very strong proponent of fully funding the State’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, with many of those dollars being diverted to adequately funding a rental assistance pilot.
2. TANF Benefit Increase – I strongly support SALT’s request to annually index TANF increases to reflect the cost of living. Paying for the additional expense will be an area of intense debate. Therefore, I support a thorough examination of the VA Tax Code to ensure fairness and equity for all payers.
3. TANF Benefits for Certain Ex-Offenders – I strongly support lifting the lifetime ban for convicted drug offenders from receiving TANF benefits. There is no rational reason to keep the ban and doing so not only hurts the offender and probably in the long-run leads to a higher cost. Therefore, I support lifting the ban on ex-drug offenders from receiving TANF aid.
4. Tax & Budget -- I support a thorough examination of the VA Tax Code to ensure fairness and equity for all payers. Our tax system is antiquated and regressive and I want to make sure every Virginia pays their fair share.
5. Avoid Future Budget Shortfalls – Yes, the budget should take a closer look at all possible sources of revenue. Nothing should be considered to be off the table. A hard line approach to no new revenue is counterproductive to sustaining Virginia as a good place to do business. Our needs continue to mount – transportation and education are inadequately funded – and we will lose our ability to attract business unless we meet these basic needs. Beyond that, we must not forget our most vulnerable population and investing in Medicaid can save money through other areas of the budget.
6. Work Across the Aisle – If you think Washington is dysfunctional, take a closer look at Richmond. Redistricting has contributed to Republicans getting safer and Democrats getting safer and very few swing districts or those with a willingness to work together. Philosophically, I differ greatly with those who believe we should continue to lower taxes and that Medicaid is not a core government service. I strongly disagree with that belief. That said, the need is too great not to try to make headway and demonstrate that helping those in need is not just the right thing to do but it is fiscally responsible. We need to demonstrate how prison reform, health care reform, affordable housing, and temporary assistance will save society in the long-term.
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Candidate: Dianne Blais
District: 40th
1. Rental assistance for half the cost of emergency shelter sounds good but would hope the assistance would be a majority of rent. This pilot program sounds like it would be worth a try as we certainly want to help workers gain self-sufficiency.
2. Would the indexing of future benefits to annual increases in the cost of living probably be funded primarily (what percentage is “primarily”?) by Federal block grants? If so, definitely yes but otherwise I’d hesitate as we need to keep a check on state expenses.
3. I have lobbied for restoration of felons’ voting rights and this is similar. People previously convicted on a drug-related offense should be as eligible as to get TANF benefits as other people.
4. Although “life isn’t fair”, we still need to strive for “fair”.
I advocate a simpler tax code with minimal tax breaks and subsidies.
5. Although we have already advocated for a penny/gallon gas tax to finance transportation improvements, I hesitate to advocate for additional expanded revenues. The Va. operating budget more than doubled between 1998 and 2010 and this rate is unsustainable and not “fair” to tax-paying Virginians.
6. Independents should be able work with both parties. I appreciate the fiscal conservatism of Republicans and the social empathy of Democrats and would try to optimize the blending of both.
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Delegate Bob Brink
48th District (Arlington)
I’d appreciate it if you would share this with the members of SALT:
While I’m not able to give each of the important issues in the SALT questionnaire the discussion it deserves, I’m certain the members of SALT know of my commitment to social justice and economic fairness. I’ve demonstrated that commitment in my votes and activities as a member of the House of Delegates over the past 14 years. I look forward to working with SALT in the future as we seek to create “The Virginia we want to be.”
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Name: Barbara Favola
District: 31st Senate District
1. RAPID RE-HOUSING PILOT PROGRAM: Do you support funding a rental assistance pilot program in Virginia?
Yes. I support funding a rental assistance program at the State level. A program could be devised that would require matching dollars from local jurisdictions or a commitment from the jurisdictions to provide supportive services to clients benefitting from State rental assistance dollars. Right now, local dollars are the prime source of funding for shelters. I believe that the availability of State money would be very attractive to local governments. However, I want to emphasize that my experience in Arlington reinforces the premise that supportive services, coupled with affordable housing, are key to ensuring that low-income individuals one day become self-sufficient.
2. TANIF BENEFIT INCREASE: What steps would you support to ensure a meaningful level of time-limited assistance to Virginia’s needy families? Please explain.
I believe it is more cost efficient to provide adequate subsidies to poor families, so they can meet their basic needs than it is to provide band-aid funding. Children need loving caretakers, a safe place to live, good food and an opportunity to attend a quality school. Adequate dollars need to be available to ensure that this safety net is there. Otherwise, society will be paying a higher price when the children become young adults and realize they cannot create a decent live for themselves.
I think an important strategy in talking about these issues is presenting a cost/benefit analysis that clearly describes how much States and localities pay when children don’t have their needs met and reach young adulthood with few good options. State dollars will always be tight so cost driven analytic arguments must be applied to social service programs.
3. TANIF BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN EX-OFFENDERS: Providing these services will support families, decrease recidivism, and provide assistance to those trying to rebuild their lives.—all of which are proven re-entry program services that reduce recidivism and save States money. Do you support extending the eligibility of ex- offenders for food stamps to TANIF benefits as well? Please explain?
Yes. I absolutely support extending the eligibility of ex-offenders for food stamps to TANIF benefits as well. These individuals have paid their debt to society and it is in everyone’s benefit to help the ex-offenders described above establish a life that enables them to support their families without breaking the law. Transitional support services such as TANIF are critical to reducing recidivism. It is worth noting that jail costs are a big expense in local budgets. Why not invest money to help break the costly jail cycle.
4. Tax & Budget: How will you make sure that individuals and corporations at the upper end of our income scale pay their fair share so that we can avoid painful service cuts in the future?
I think two things need to happen with the Virginia State Tax code: 1) The income tax brackets need to be broadened so the scale reflects a much more progressive approach to taxation; and 2) Corporate loopholes should be closed. There are many tax credits and tax exemptions that special interest groups have achieved over the years and in many cases the purposes for theses credits and exemptions are no longer relevant.
I believe you could increase the tax burden on the top two percent of wage earners in the Commonwealth and reduce the burden on the lower end wage earners and still achieve more revenue for the Commonwealth. In fact, Governor Warner did just that.
I would support a uniform approach to removing tax credits and tax exemptions for corporations.
5. Avoid Future Budget Shortfalls: As we work toward closing our future budget shortfalls will you consider a balanced budget approach that includes new revenues to ensure the State can meet its obligations?
Yes. I absolutely would consider a balanced budget approach that includes new revenues to ensure that the State can meet its obligations. I think the most logical approach to achieving this goal is implementing a new and dedicated source of revenue to fund transportation. If this could be accomplished, more dollars would be available in the General Fund to support K-12 education, higher education, environmental initiatives, public safety and human services. I am on record supporting an increase in the gasoline tax to create this revenue stream.
6. Work Across the Aisle: How will you work to avoid deadlock, paralysis, and unrelenting rigidity and build consensus for meeting current needs and build for the future?
I am currently the President-elect of the Virginia Association of Counties. This is a statewide group that represents local elected officials from 95 jurisdictions in the Commonwealth. I have represented this group often in Richmond and have already established good working relationships with many Republican lawmakers. I know how to develop trusting relationships and I approach legislation with a common-sense bent that focuses on solving a problem.
My Issue: I will work to adopt a more humane and community based approach to serving those with severe mental health issues and intellectual disabilities. According to the Department of Justice, Virginia’s institutions do not provide an environment where these individuals can achieve a high level of independence or a high level of dignity.
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Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn
House of Delegates- 41st District
1. RAPID RE-HOUSING PILOT PROGRAM: Do you support funding of a rental assistance pilot program in Virginia? If not, what strategies do you propose to help close the gap between low wages and the rising cost of housing? Please explain.
a. Yes.
2. TANF BENEFIT INCREASE: What steps would you support to ensure a meaningful level of time-limited assistance to Virginia’s needy families? Please explain.
a. I support increasing TANF benefits. While the General Assembly is unlikely to support a large increase, I would support small incremental increases each year over the next few years.
3. TANF BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN EX-OFFENDERS: Providing these services will support families, decrease recidivism, and provide assistance to those trying to rebuild their lives. To us it is a matter of fairness that families with children have access to transitional support services such as job seeking, job prep, and job keeping, child care and treatment- all of which are proven Re-entry program services that reduce recidivism and save states money. Do you support extending the eligibility of ex-offenders for food stamps and TANF benefits as well? Please explain.
a. Yes. I believe that extending the eligibility to ex-offenders will assist those who have successfully paid their debt to society as they transition back into the community. Often times, children and other innocent members of the family suffer when benefits are not available.
4. TAX AND BUDGET:. How will you make sure that individuals and corporations at the upper end of our income scale pay their fair share so we can avoid painful service cuts in the future?
a. While we need to encourage our businesses to grow, we must support quality of life for all citizens of Virginia. I will continue to support funding for these important issues.
5. AVOID FUTURE BUDGET SHORTFALLS: As you know, over the course of the recession, Virginia as cut billions from core services spending on thing like education, health care, public safety and transportation. As we work toward closing future budget shortfalls will you consider a balanced budget approach that includes new revenues to ensure the State can meet its obligations?
a. Given our tough economic environment today, we need to make difficult choices as it relates to our budget. In Virginia, we are constitutionally mandated to balance our budget. Over the past few years, we have done this with severe cuts and delayed payments. As we move forward during budget negotiations, nothing should be taken off the table.
6. WORK ACROSS THE AISLE: How will you work to avoid deadlock, paralysis, and unrelenting rigidity and build consensus for meeting current needs and build for the future.
a. I believe by working across the aisle we can accomplish what is best for Virginia. Not every issue is a partisan one and by finding common ground on the little issues, we can build relationships before dealing with the issues that divide us. This past session I was part of a bi-partisan coalition to keep synthetic marijuana out of the hands of our children. I believe we need to be good communicators. By working with our colleagues across the Commonwealth and in different regions as well as across the aisle can we accomplish what is best for Virginia. Not every issue is a partisan one. We need to find commonality on all issues, little and big. By building relationships and by finding common ground we can succeed, move forward and continue to make a difference. This past session I was part of several bi-partisan coalitions, including one to keep synthetic marijuana out of the hands of our children.
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Name: Vivian Watts
District: 39th House of Delegates
1. RAPID RE-HOUSING PILOT PROGRAM:
I definitely support rental assistance funding as a humane and rationale
alternative to emergency shelter and public housing. I remain
concerned, however, that the need in Northern Virginia will ot be
addressed unless there is very thoughtful work on how state funds are
allocated. The budget amendment needs to spell-out how the number of
families in which the gap between ages and the local cost of housing
exceeds a certain percentage will be determined and then allocate the
pilot fund monies proportionate to the number of families.
2. TANF BENEFIT INCREASE:
I would support any means to address this issue. We cannot expect to
foster healthier parenting if the parent has virtually no resources to
provide for her/his family. Such a truly hopeless situation does nothing
to break generational cycles that occur within dysfunctional families
of mental illness, substance abuse, crime, domestic violence, and/or
lack of schooling.
3. TANF BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN EX-OFFENDERS:
I absolutely agree with SALT’s position and would continue to carry the
bill and/or budget amendment to do so. We were able to lift the ban on
food stamps because there was no cost to the state - not necessarily
because legislators understood the merits of the reasons you have
articulated. Unfortunately, although it is a relatively minor cost to
lift the TANF ban, there is little will to fund it.
4. TAX & BUDGET:
The percentage of Virginia’s General Fund revenue shifted very
significantly to the individual income tax over the last 20 years in
large part because of changes in business structures and over the last
decade due to not taxing inter-net sales. A major change to business
taxation is Sub-chapter S corporations. Businesses – that may have been
taxed under the 7% Corporate Income Tax in years gone by – are now
organized as Sub-Chapter S corporations, where the stockholders pay personal income tax on dividends but the S corporation pays no
corporate income taxes. It is rare for Virginia not to conform with the
federal tax code and, therefore, it would be extremely difficult if not
impossible to change Virginia’s taxation of S corporations. Taxing S
corporation profits distributed as dividends will require dealing with
the politics of raising the 5.75 percent individual tax income top
bracket for all taxpayers. As to taxing internet sales, Senator Hanger and I took on that battle under the Streamlined Tax initiative in the
early part of this last decade. However, Virginia’s participation was
soundly de-railed by members now in House leadership reflecting tech
community concerns. The result is that discretionary high-end purchases
that are made on the internet are not taxed, shifting more of the burden
to K-Mart shoppers. The bottom line is that it will be extremely
difficult to change Virginia’s tax structure and our first priority for the 2012 General Assembly must be to preserve and, if possible,
strengthen the Earned Income Tax Credit, which SALT was so instrumental
in getting passed.
5. AVOID FUTURE BUDGET SHORTFALLS:
I believe we must consider new revenues. We have the 41st lowest taxes
per $1000 in the nation and, therefore, have the capacity that other
states do not have to fund strategic investments that strengthen our
economy and/or prevent future major remedial or law enforcement
expenses. I am particularly concerned that the General Fund not be
diverted to fund transportation.
6. WORK ACROSS THE AISLE:
One of the reasons I continue to seek to serve in the Virginia House of
Delegates is to be one of those who still “does things the old fashion
way.” Unfortunately, our numbers continue to dwindle. Here is wording
that’s been part of my door to door piece (which is based on “The 5
Rules of Politics”) since 1995:
Rule #5: Get Things Done
This rule was published as "Don't get mad...get even," but Vivian's rule
is "Don't get mad...get things done." Her style is to keep a clear
focus, an open mind, and find some way to do what is needed – no matter
who gets the credit. Vivian believes in engaging people – not creating
enemies.
Structural changes that would reduce “deadlock, paralysis, ...rigidity
and build consensus” include creating more competitive swing districts
in redistricting, reduce the power of the House Speaker regarding
committee assignments, make sub-committee meetings more accessible to
the public, allow bills to be heard in full committee upon a motion of a
member of one party and seconded by a member of the opposite party, and
make odd-year sessions 60 days.
YOUR ISSUES:
1. Funding transportation without using the General Fund.
2. Strengthening community mental health services to prevent the development of the personal and family debilitation that can stem from combat service.
3. Medicaid funding to support humane nursing home staffing standards
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Name: Delegate David L. Englin
District: 45th House District
1. RAPID RE-HOUSING PILOT PROGRAM: Do you support funding of a rental assistance pilot program in Virginia? If not, what strategies do you propose to help close the gap between low wages and the rising cost of housing? Please explain.
Yes, I absolutely support the funding of a rental assistance pilot program in Virginia, and I have sponsored and co-sponsored legislation that would create such a funding mechanism in previous General Assembly Sessions.
2. TANF BENEFIT INCREASE: What steps would you support to ensure a meaningful level of time-limited assistance to Virginia’s needy families? Please explain.
I support SALT’s plan for funding through a federal block grant indexed to the cost of living, and I support finding new forms or revenue in Virginia to help pay for these essential social services that protect the neediest Virginians.
3. TANF BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN EX-OFFENDERS: Do you support extending the eligibility of ex-offenders for food stamps to TANF benefits as well? Please explain.
Yes. Ex-offenders have served their sentences in the Commonwealth and are attempting to start their lives again. They should not further be punished. I support legislation that would allow ex-offenders to be eligible for food stamps, TANF benefits, and to have their voting rights automatically restored.
4. Tax & Budget: How will you make sure that individuals and corporations at the upper end of our income scale pay their fair share so that we can avoid painful service cuts in the future?
I will continue to advocate for a progressive tax reform that more fairly shares the burden across income levels in Virginia. We have one of the most regressive tax systems in America, stemming from our roots as an agrarian economy, and it is past time that we create a more balanced system.
5. Avoid Future Budget Shortfalls: As we work toward closing our future budget shortfalls will you consider a balanced budget approach that includes new revenues to ensure the State can meet its obligations?
Absolutely. We cut the fat from Virginia’s budget long ago, and now we’re cutting muscle and bone. We cannot continue a cuts-only approach if we want to achieve a balanced budget that continues to provide core, essential services to the people of the Commonwealth. Fixing our regressive tax system and finding new sources of revenue are the only way we will be able to provide for our citizens.
6. Work Across the Aisle: How will you work to avoid deadlock, paralysis, and unrelenting rigidity and build consensus for meeting current needs and build for the future?
I will continue to work with both sides of the isle on any and all issues on which we can find common ground. I am proud to have worked with both Democrats and Republicans on bills like the Advance Health Care Directives Registry, the Restaurant Smoking Ban, and numerous other legislative initiatives.
YOUR ISSUES: What are some issues you feel strongly about that you would like to share with your SALT constituents?
I have been honored to work with SALT over the year on a number of social justice issues, including the Rental Assistance Pilot Project, removing TANF eligibilty prohibitions for ex-drug offenders, and creating a TANF Funding Pool to prevent the diversion of TANF funds to other budget areas. I look forward to continue working with SALT on these and other issues. I’m especially concerned with Virginia’s regressive tax code, which is in dire need of reform. I have proposed progressive tax reform legislation that would eliminate the state sales tax on food, lower income tax rates on middle-income earners, and raise the income tax rate on people making more than $400,000 per year. We need to move away from the current tax structure, under which poor people actually pay a higher percentage of their income than rich people.
Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions!
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Name: Robert F. McDonnell
Office: Governor
1. RENTAL ASSISTANCE PILOT PROGRAM: Please explain.
Unfortunately, the cost of housing is actually dropping throughout Virginia due to declining real estate prices. A companion issue is job loss. While declining home prices and apartment rental fees would normally make it easier for those who are homeless to find housing, rising unemployment levels point to increased difficulties for those who may move in and out of homeless situations. For that reason, one of my top priorities is job creation in Virginia, a central issue in this campaign. Jobs are best created in the private sector by ensuring an environment that is friendly to business, especially ventures by small businessmen and entrepreneurs. When we are successful in the implementation of our vision for job creation, everyone will benefit, including those who struggle with homelessness.
TANF Benefit Increase: I am very concerned with those who are chronically homeless. I am particularly supportive of programs that provide supportive housing with necessary services to the chronically homeless, a disproportionately large number of whom struTggle with mental illness or substance abuse. Addressing the challenges of this population can be accomplished with resources currently available and will be a focus as we prepare the next biennial budget. Additionally, your recommendation of a rental assistance pilot program has merit, especially for the temporarily homeless and when compared to the cost of constructing and operating permanent shelters. As you know, state budgets are under severe strain, but my administration will review the efficacy of such an approach and looks forward to discussing it in further detail with you and other advocates for the homeless.
Further, I will assess and act on the veteran homelessness review being conducted by JLARC at the request of Delegate Kirk Cox. The Commonwealth will examine the current level of services provided to homeless vets in Virginia, identify gaps in service, and evaluate the need for and costs of additional services. Building upon the success in other areas, such as San Diego, Virginia will engage in a proactive Homeless Vet program and explore how Virginia can pursue federal grant money and work with the private sector to see that these veterans are provided for.
My administration will conduct a review of safety net programs serving Virginians in need. We will review the needs to be met and how the full range of Federal and state programs address those needs. We will also invite public participation in this review. The results will provide us with valuable information on adjustments that should be considered as we plan for the future.
3. PUTTING STANDARDS IN PLACE: Please explain.
It is my view that Federal funds received by Virginia in the form of a block grant for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families should be spent consistent with the intent of Congress, which clearly stated the purpose of TANF in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 H.R. 3734-9). The purpose, embedded in the law, is to provide the State with flexibility in operating a program designed to: (1) provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives; (2) end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage; (3) prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of- wedlock pregnancies...; (4) encourage the formation and maintenance or two- parent families.
In Virginia we have been successful in achieving the work related component of PRWORA, reducing the TANF rolls by over 53%. We have not been as successful in efforts to promote marriage and two-parent families, and the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies continues to grow. In addition to our review of the social safety net, I assure you that if there are TANF block grant resources being redirected to programs that do not fulfill the intent of Congress, I will direct them back to efforts focused on achieving the original TANF goals, including the largely neglected goals of promoting marriage and two parent families.
4. TANF BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN EX-OFFENDERS Please explain.
This is a question that would be addressed in my administration's review of the social safety net in Virginia, as outlined above. As you know, the purpose of cash assistance to needy families, as outlined in PRWORA, is to ensure children may
be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives. The care of children is the focus of the law, and rightly so. As part of our review, we will examine the impact a lifetime ban on TANF benefits for an ex-offender may have on children, assuming the ex-offender regains custody of the children after release from prison. This issue also intersects with my strong interest in the issue of prisoner re-entry and improving reintegration into the community for those who have paid their debt to society.
5. REFUNDABLE VIRGINIA EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT (EITC): Please explain.
I am a supporter of the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit. I believe it provides exactly the type of incentive for work that is called for in welfare reform and is a needed and effective supplement to the 1996 PRWORA. For instance, using as an example that family of three referenced in Question 2, headed by a single parent, the EITC is very helpful. If the parent enters the work force earning the minimum wage of $6.55 per hour, the EITC will provide another $5,028 from the Federal government, or an extra $2.50 per hour worked. When combined with other income supplements, such as the refundable child tax credit, actual pay for the parent may top $10.00 an hour. The EITC is a valuable tool in lifting people out or poverty.
In these challenging economic times, with state budgets under enormous pressure, I am placing a top priority on creating jobs and encouraging economic growth, with adjustments to the tax code focused on the productive sectors. Regarding a refundable state EITC, we will examine that approach as part of our safety-net review discussed above.
YOUR ISSUES: What are some issues you feel strongly about that you would like to share with your SALT constituents?
Please see my website (www.bobmcdonnell.com) for additional policy proposals in areas of education, job creation, transportation, veterans, the environment, etc...
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