Campaign ‘94: Issues and Answers

Two candidates are running in the Nov. 8 election to represent the 41st Congressional District. They are Democrat Ed Tessier of Pomona and Republican Jay C. Kim, the incumbent, of Diamond Bar. Where they stand on four issues:

Health Care

Tessier: “First, I support maintaining a private sector health care system so that market forces will maintain flexibility and competitiveness. Second, I believe universal coverage must be a goal by the end of this decade. I support efforts to expand access to current health care plans by eliminating most eligibility restrictions. For the working poor, I would support eligibility in current poverty-focused health care systems. Third, I oppose financing new public sector coverage by taxing health care benefits or imposing mandatory employer ‘contributions.’ Only sin taxes (cigarettes, alcohol, ammunition) seem acceptable.”

Kim: Did not respond to this question.

Education and Health Care Benefits for Illegal Immigrants

Tessier: “Increasing our control of our national borders is imperative. However, denying undocumented children access to education would cause crime to increase and threaten us with the return of mass exploitation of child labor. It would not reduce illegal immigration. Similarly, refusing treatment to the undocumented ill would not reduce illegal immigration, but only threaten the public health.”

Kim: I “favor curtailing both health care and educational benefits” to illegal

immigrants.

Crime

Tessier: “I support ‘three strikes and you’re out’ legislation for violent criminals and boot camps for young offenders. I support more severe prosecution of parole violations and oppose any early release of violent felons. However, I believe that our best public investment is in crime prevention. We must increase the number of police officers to match the crime rate. . . . Community policing, cops on the beat, junior police corps and trained resident patrols are all necessary.”

Kim: Opposed anti-crime bill approved by the House earlier this year that is now pending before a House-Senate conference committee. “We must pass more stringent measures to control rampant violent crime at the local level.”

El Toro Marine Corps Air Station

Tessier: “Historically, expansion of aviation infrastructure has meant long-term job growth and economic expansion. I support the concept of converting the El Toro base into a commercial airport. However, in this recession, public investment must be cautious, clearly demonstrating an economic benefit. For example, private sector investment must be secure and the conversion process should not jeopardize the operations of other facilities such as Ontario or John Wayne airports.”

Kim: “This is a local decision that is best handled at the local level.”

Source: Individual candidates