Congressman Jerry McNerney has never voted for a tax increase,
has tried in vain to get the money Morgan Hill needs to solve its
flooding problem and is working on passing a jobs creation bill
that he introduced to the House earlier this month.
Congressman Jerry McNerney has never voted for a tax increase, has tried in vain to get the money Morgan Hill needs to solve its flooding problem and is working on passing a jobs creation bill that he introduced to the House earlier this month. Those were among his comments in front of a crowd of 11th Congressional District voters at the Morgan Hill Library.
McNerney (D, Pleasanton) faced a variety of questions and comments – not all from people who agreed with his political record – when he visited Morgan Hill Tuesday in a “Congress at Your Corner” stop. About 40 voters attended the event, and about half addressed McNerney personally, who was joined by Mayor Steve Tate in front of the crowd.
Most of those who attended were from southern Santa Clara County.
Audience members decried the health insurance industry’s plans to raise premiums next year and the prohibitive cost of healthcare for those who are uninsured. McNerney criticized the current version of healthcare reform passed by the U.S. Senate for the deals it makes with certain states, its lack of a public option and the inadequate number of people it extends coverage to. He said he would not vote in favor of that version of the bill if it comes back to the House.
“We want to get our healthcare up to international standards, and we want to do it in a way that is American,” McNerney said in response to a question from the audience. “Costs are escalating at a rate that’s unacceptable, and the people want something done.”
Some audience members were also frustrated with the slow pace of economic recovery, including the lack of job creation. McNerney said he recently introduced a jobs bill to the House which would provide small businesses with tax credits to hire employees.
“You have to spend money to create jobs,” McNerney said. He added that he advocates investing money in the country’s transportation and telecommunications infrastructure, and education. “We don’t need more government employees,” he added.
Morgan Hill resident Terry Mahurin asked the congressman how he feels about runaway spending at the federal level.
McNerney said the choice to spend money on high-dollar items meant to stimulate the economy is a tradeoff to hold down future spending.
“What’s going to be more expensive? Create jobs now, or pay more in unemployment (later), or recuperate the economy if we go into a depression (later)?” he said.
Morgan Hill Unified School District Trustee Kathy Sullivan asked McNerney if he would vote to continue the federal No Child Left Behind education bill passed in 2001. She said the bill’s testing requirements are unreasonably strict, setting school districts and students up for failure.
“We need quality education. No Child Left Behind sounded good on paper, but it’s driven teachers out, and punished the schools that need help the most,” McNerney said, adding that he will not vote for the bill’s renewal “in its current form” when it comes up for a vote soon.
Swanee Edwards asked about the Llagas Creek Flood Protection project, a federal initiative, stalled for decades, that would prevent flooding in downtown Morgan Hill if the funding could be found.
McNerney explained he has asked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the project’s lead sponsor, for money to fund the project but the agency only gives the district a fraction of what he asks for. He commended the city of Morgan Hill for fronting about $10 million of the design costs while the federal government waits.
“To make that commitment and not get federal support is a travesty. I want to see that done while I’m in office.”
The congressman said he was pleased with the “good mix” of questions and comments, and the civility with which the crowd carried itself.
Congressman McNerney’s office offered the following clarification of the Congressman’s position with regards to the Senate health care bill:
Congressman McNerney is reviewing all of the health care reform proposals currently being considered. He has serious concerns about the behind the scenes deal making in the Senate and the amount of people who would be covered under the Senate bill. However, he’ll reserve his decision on the new health care proposal until there is final language and still remains open to a plan that would address his concerns with the Senate bill.
