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."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager