Windsor Times - 'Congressman comes to town'
February 10, 2010
Windsor's congressman, Mike Thompson, stopped by the Windsor Library on Feb. 8 for a public meeting to discuss issues of importance to local constituents.
During the hour long meeting, Thompson gave a brief speech and took questions from the audience covering a mix of local and national issues.
During his speech, Thompson praised the current congress as a group that had tackled hard issues and worked harder than people realized.
“This particular congress is one of the most productive congresses in history,” he said. “Those who don't like what we've done don't agree, but the reality is this congress has accomplished a lot.”
In addition to praising legislation guaranteeing equal pay, Thompson highlighted the long-term fiscal responsibility of childhood insurance programs and said the massive fiscal measures approved last year helped stave off an even worse recession.
He said by extending childhood insurance programs, such as California's SCHIP program, the government could help improve the long term health of citizens and in the process, save taxpayers money on longterm care. “One thing that we can all agree on is kids get older and at some point they become eligible for the Medicare program,” he said. “We don't want them to bring into Medicare those serious health care problems.”
Thompson said much of the fiscal legislation passed last year had problems, but he said the bills had helped prevent an even worse meltdown.
“As distasteful as those pieces were, they were very much needed,” he said.
Despite those successes, Thompson said health care had dominated the recent debate. “Health care is the 800 pound gorilla,” he said. “It's sucked the oxygen out of the county and it's been a very interesting exercise to have watched.”
He said he was committed to passing comprehensive health care reform. “I haven't given up hope on that,” he said. “I still feel we have a real shot at being able to do this.”
When asked about the SMART rail system and the $155 million funding shortfall, Thompson said it would be hard to get any federal money for the project and said SMART's board should focus on providing service to Sonoma County given Sonoma's strong support for the train. “Sonoma County was the county that came to the plate and did what was tough to do to get this thing passed.”
Windsor Superintendent Steve Herrington told Thompson that the stimulus bill had helped save jobs at Windsor schools but said once federal money dries up, those jobs will be lost unless new funding sources are found. He asked Thompson if there was any movement in D.C. on more job specific legislation.
Thompson said there had been a shift towards focusing on jobs but the outcome of any additional federal legislation was uncertain. “How that ends up, I don't know that anybody can say right now,“ he said. “Clearly there is an understanding that federal help is needed not just in California but across the country in stabilizing those jobs.”
After tackling several additional questions covering tribal disenrollment, foreign wars and campaign finance, Thompson was asked why he seemed optimistic about the future. “From folks just like you,” he said. “It's exciting to me. I've been through times when we've had folks on our side of the political spectrum check out and not want to get involved. I've lived through some of those times. It's a good sign when I see folks like you out tonight on a rainy school night.”
During the hour long meeting, Thompson gave a brief speech and took questions from the audience covering a mix of local and national issues.
During his speech, Thompson praised the current congress as a group that had tackled hard issues and worked harder than people realized.
“This particular congress is one of the most productive congresses in history,” he said. “Those who don't like what we've done don't agree, but the reality is this congress has accomplished a lot.”
In addition to praising legislation guaranteeing equal pay, Thompson highlighted the long-term fiscal responsibility of childhood insurance programs and said the massive fiscal measures approved last year helped stave off an even worse recession.
He said by extending childhood insurance programs, such as California's SCHIP program, the government could help improve the long term health of citizens and in the process, save taxpayers money on longterm care. “One thing that we can all agree on is kids get older and at some point they become eligible for the Medicare program,” he said. “We don't want them to bring into Medicare those serious health care problems.”
Thompson said much of the fiscal legislation passed last year had problems, but he said the bills had helped prevent an even worse meltdown.
“As distasteful as those pieces were, they were very much needed,” he said.
Despite those successes, Thompson said health care had dominated the recent debate. “Health care is the 800 pound gorilla,” he said. “It's sucked the oxygen out of the county and it's been a very interesting exercise to have watched.”
He said he was committed to passing comprehensive health care reform. “I haven't given up hope on that,” he said. “I still feel we have a real shot at being able to do this.”
When asked about the SMART rail system and the $155 million funding shortfall, Thompson said it would be hard to get any federal money for the project and said SMART's board should focus on providing service to Sonoma County given Sonoma's strong support for the train. “Sonoma County was the county that came to the plate and did what was tough to do to get this thing passed.”
Windsor Superintendent Steve Herrington told Thompson that the stimulus bill had helped save jobs at Windsor schools but said once federal money dries up, those jobs will be lost unless new funding sources are found. He asked Thompson if there was any movement in D.C. on more job specific legislation.
Thompson said there had been a shift towards focusing on jobs but the outcome of any additional federal legislation was uncertain. “How that ends up, I don't know that anybody can say right now,“ he said. “Clearly there is an understanding that federal help is needed not just in California but across the country in stabilizing those jobs.”
After tackling several additional questions covering tribal disenrollment, foreign wars and campaign finance, Thompson was asked why he seemed optimistic about the future. “From folks just like you,” he said. “It's exciting to me. I've been through times when we've had folks on our side of the political spectrum check out and not want to get involved. I've lived through some of those times. It's a good sign when I see folks like you out tonight on a rainy school night.”
Issues:Health CareJobs & Economy