Pubdate: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 Source: Times-Picayune, The (LA) Copyright: 2002 The Times-Picayune Contact: http://www.nola.com/t-p/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/848 Author: Steve Ritea CRIME, POVERTY DOMINATE DEBATE Senate Hopefuls Offer Solutions to Scourge The four major candidates for U.S. Senate took on crime and poverty in a televised debate Sunday night specifically targeted at issues important to New Orleans. Reducing crime was the first issue to hit the candidates at the debate, which aired in the New Orleans area on WDSU-TV and was co-sponsored by the station along with the National Council of Jewish Women, the League of Women Voters, the Business and Professional Women of New Orleans and the Young Leadership Council. Incumbent U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., said crime is inextricably linked to education. "We are in many ways failing in our education system, and our prisons are filled," she said. Giving young people more opportunity is essential, she said, but added: "That's not to say we don't have to be tough on crime." State Elections Commissioner Suzanne Haik Terrell, one of Landrieu's three Republican challengers, said fostering stronger communities is vital to reducing crime. "It really comes down to strengthening our neighborhoods, our churches and our schools," she said. "We have to partner together. We are not winning the war on drugs." State Rep. Tony Perkins of Pride said drugs are the impetus for a number of crimes, and "the best thing we can do on the national level is try to stem the drug tide" by beefing up security along U.S. borders. The federal government also needs to give police more freedom and "let locals do their jobs," he said. U.S. Rep. John Cooksey of Monroe agreed that the influx of drugs into the country is spurring more crimes, but he also suggested, like Terrell, that communities play a key role. "We need to go back to strong family values," he said. On the issue of welfare reform, Terrell said Washington can only do so much. "There are very few American dreams that are built on government programs," she said. Enhancing economic development efforts that create new jobs is crucial to reducing poverty, she said: "We need to cut taxes and help small businesses grow." Perkins said he believes welfare reform efforts started during President Clinton's administration are working but agreed that their impact will be limited. "More children who live in single-parent homes are in poverty than any other children," he said. "I think it's important we strengthen the families at home." Cooksey, again agreeing with Terrell, said job creation is vital. That's a goal best met by growing an even more experienced work force that will attract more high-paying jobs, he said. "Education is fundamental," he said, to making that occur. Landrieu said she has supported welfare reform as a senator but that making it work requires continued financing of programs that help people get back on their feet. She questioned whether her challengers would be willing to approve money for programs that she said are integral to effective welfare reform, such as increasing the minimum wage and adding to dollars for day-care programs that are crucial for working parents. During a later question specifically about the candidates' positions on financing for child care, Landrieu said she has offered amendments to bills filed in Congress aimed at increasing that money. Perkins, on the other hand, said the federal government might be better advised to offer tax incentives to corporations that offer child care to their employees. "With government money comes government regulation," he said. Terrell agreed with Perkins' idea for tax incentives "so they can offer their employees what is really needed," she said. Cooksey also backed Perkins' point that the federal government needs to stay out of America's living rooms. Washington, he said, "should not tell mothers how to care for their child." - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager