THE STATE OF THE UNION 1995 : The Parties’ Lines

Although both President Clinton and the leadership of the Republican Party spoke in broad themes Wednesday night, their positions on a host of issues are becoming well known. Here are some of the highlights:

CLINTON PROPOSALS

Middle class bill of rights: The cornerstone of the administration’s domestic policy, its highlights are a tax exemption for college tuition and a $500 tax credit for children age 12 and younger in most families.

Minimum Wage: An increase in the minimum hourly wage from $4.25 to $5.

Welfare reform: A two-year limit to welfare benefits. After that, recipients who cannot find private sector jobs would be offered government-subsidized employment.

Social programs: Clinton has renewed his call for a “new covenant” between the government and the governed. He envisions a scaled-back government that rewards and encourages citizen’s initiative and responsiblity. Among the examples is the President’s AmeriCorps program, which offers educational grants in exchange for participation in national service programs.

Crime: Increased funding for border control and retention of the social programs--and the assault weapon ban--in last year’s crime bill.

REPUBLICAN PROPOSALS

Taxes: General proposals for lowering taxes for families and businesses. Specifics include a $500-per-child tax credit, halving the capital gains tax and speeding depreciation of business capital investments.

Government: Enactment of a balanced budget amendment and an end to unfunded federal mandate on the states. The Senate has so far been unable to vote on unfunded mandates because of a Democratic filibuster.

Education: A reduction in college tuition aid.

Welfare: The House Republican plan want to deny cash benefits to mothers under 18, restrict states from increasing benefits when welfare recieptiants have additional babies, deny benefits for families if the mother refuses to identify the father and limit to two years the length of time families can receive aid. After two years, the states have the option of allowing them to work in subsidized jobs for no more than three years.

Term limits: A 2-term, 12-year limit for senators and either a 3- or 6-term limit for representatives.

Minimum Wage: General opposition to an increase in the minimum wage.