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Eli Segal's Files
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FOIA Number: 2013-0661-F
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the William J. Clinton
Presidential Library Staff.
Collection/Record Group:
Clinton Presidential Records
Subgroup/Office of Origin:
National Service
Series/Staff Member:
Eli Segal
Subseries:
OA/ID Number:
1294
FolderID:
Folder Title:
[3/1/93 New Jersey] [loose]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
S
66
2
7
2
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
001. schedule
re: Schedule of the President [partial] (5 pages)
03/01/1993
b(7)(E)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
National Service
Eli Segal
OA/Box Number: 1294
FOLDER TITLE:
[3/1/93 New Jersey] [loose]
2013-0661-F
rs2918
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA
b(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office |(a)(2) of the PRAJ
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRAJ
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
RETURN To
E.S.
THE TRIP OF
THE PRESIDENT
TO
NEW JERSEY
Monday, March 1, 1993
Staff Copy
MONDAY, MARCH 1, 1993
NEW JERSEY
Adult Learning Center
Event Memo
TAB A
National Service Talking Points
TAB B
Backgrounders on:
TAB C
National Service
Summer of Service
New Jersey Youth Corps
Rutgers University
Event Memo
with Background on the University
TAB D
Speech
TAB E
MTV Event Memo
TAB F
Local Interviews
New Orleans
Memo and Background Materials
TAB G
North and South Dakota
Memo and Background Materials
TAB H
Meet and Greet with Local Officials and Supporters
Event Memo
TAB I
New Jersey Background
Political Background
TAB J
Economic Situation
TAB K
Impact of Economic Plan
TAB L
Local Issues
TAB M
General Questions and Answers
on the Economic Plan
TAB N
Withdrawal/Redaction Marker
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
001. schedule
re: Schedule of the President [partial] (5 pages)
03/01/1993
b(7)(E)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
National Service
Eli Segal
OA/Box Number: 1294
FOLDER TITLE:
[3/1/93 New Jersey] [loose]
2013-0661-F
rs2918
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA|
b(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
SCHEDULE OF THE PRESIDENT
FOR
MONDAY, MARCH 1, 1993
FINAL
NOTE TO STAFF:
7:25 am
Staff going on trip should be assembled at West Lobby, West
Executive Avenue
7:40 am
Staff depart from West Executive Avenue en route Andrews
Air Force Base
8:20 am
Staff arrive Andrews Air Force Base
8:35 am
All staff must be on board plane
tba
JOG
7:40 am tha
RADIO SHOW
Staff Contact: George Stephanopoulos
8:00 am-
CIA & NSC BRIEFINGS
8:15 am
OVAL OFFICE
AGJ, Mack McLarty, Tony Lake, Sandy Berger, Leon Fuerth
Staff Contact: Tony Lake
8:20 am
THE PRESIDENT proceeds to South Lawn
8:25 am
THE PRESIDENT meets and greets with public as he
proceeds to Marine 1
8:40 am
THE PRESIDENT departs White House via Marine 1 en
route Andrews Air Force Base
[flight time: 10 minutes]
(b)(7)e
8:50 am
THE PRESIDENT arrives Andrews Air Force Base
THE PRESIDENT departs Andrews Air Force Base via
9:00 am
VC-20B plane en route Newark International Airport
[flight time: 1 hour, 10 minutes]
NOTE: speech prep on plane
(b)(7)e
THE PRESIDENT arrives Newark International Airport
10:10 am
greeters: none
THE PRESIDENT departs Newark International Airport en
10:20 am
route Adult Learning Center
[drive time: 25 minutes]
10:45 am
THE PRESIDENT arrives Adult Learning Center
greeters: Governor Jim Florio; Senator Bill Bradley; Mayor
of New Brunswick James Cahill; Representative Frank
Pallone, Jr.
THE PRESIDENT and Eli Segal proceed to Classroom 319
10:50 am
to meet and greet with 100 students who will not be
participating in the event
11:05 am
THE PRESIDENT will proceed to Classroom 306 with Eli
Segal and Judy Kesin, Principal of the Adult Learning Center
and Pauletta Heines, Director of the New Jersey Youth
Corps program
ADULT LEARNING CENTER DISCUSSION
CLASSROOM 306
Format: Judy Kesin, Principal of Adult Learning Center, will
make one minute opening remarks. A Rutgers student,
a NJ Youth Corps member, and an individual who has
benefitted from the Adult Learning Center Program
will make brief remarks. Judy Kesin will open the
event for Q & A discussion.
12:00 pm
THE PRESIDENT proceeds to holding room
(everyone else board motorcade)
12:15 pm
THE PRESIDENT departs Adult Learning Center en route
Rutgers University
[drive time: 10 minutes]
(b)(7)e
12:25 pm
THE PRESIDENT arrives Rutgers University
greeters: Ted Light, Mayor of Pascataway; State Senator
John Lynch; Senator Ted Kennedy; Sargent Shriver; Frances
Lawrence, President of Rutgers; Ben Barber, Founder of
Rutgers Community Service Program; Assemblyman Jerry
Green; Assemblyman Bob Smith
12:30 pm
THE PRESIDENT proceeds to Coaches' Office for lunch and
speech prep
12:55 pm
OFF STAGE INTRODUCTION
THE PRESIDENT proceeds to gymnasium and onstage with
Eli Segal, President Lawrence, Senator Bradley, Governor
Florio, Representative Pallone, Senator Kennedy, Sargent
Shriver, Nakia Tomlinson, Student from Rutgers, other
students
1:00 pm
NATIONAL SERVICE ADDRESS
format: Pres. Lawrence welcomes (2 min.)
Gov. Florio makes remarks (2 min.)
Nakia Tomlinson, student from Rutgers, makes
remarks (1 minute) and introduces THE PRESIDENT
THE PRESIDENT makes remarks
OPEN PRESS
1:55 pm
THE PRESIDENT exits stage left and proceeds to work
ropeline
2:10 pm
THE PRESIDENT proceeds to Men's Locker Room for
makeup and interviews
2:20 pm-
INTERVIEWS
2:45 pm
1) MTV (in Men's Locker Room)
2) Local New Orleans TV stations (in Women's Locker
Room)
CLOSED PRESS
2:50 pm
THE PRESIDENT proceeds to 3rd floor
2:55 pm-
RADIO CONFERENCE CALL to North & South Dakota
3:05 pm
THIRD FLOOR COACHES' OFFICE
CLOSED PRESS
3:10 pm-
MEETING
3:15 pm
THIRD FLOOR COACHES' OFFICE
Clay Constantinou
CLOSED PRESS
3:15 pm-
RECEPTION
3:45 pm
THIRD FLOOR RECEPTION ROOM
format: Gov. Florio will welcome & introduce THE
PRESIDENT
THE PRESIDENT will make brief comments and then
meet and greet with approximately 70 local officials
and supporters
CLOSED PRESS
PHOTO-OPS with Chief of Police and 5 other law
3:50 pm
enforcement officials
THIRD FLOOR HALLWAY
THE PRESIDENT departs Rutgers University en route for
4:00 pm
Newark International Airport
[drive time: 30 minutes]
(b)(7)e
THE PRESIDENT arrives Newark International Airport and
4:30 pm
proceeds to meet and greet with volunteers, drivers, etc. on
tarmac
THE PRESIDENT boards VC-20B plane
4:45 pm
THE PRESIDENT departs Newark International Airport via
4:55 pm
VC-20B plane en route Andrews Air Force Base
[flight time: 45 minutes]
5:40 pm
THE PRESIDENT arrives Andrews Air Force Base
5:50 pm
THE PRESIDENT departs Andrews Air Force Base via
Marine 1 en route White House
(b)(7)e
6:00 pm
THE PRESIDENT arrives White House
BC AND HRC RON
WHITE HOUSE
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
February 27, 1993
ADULT LEARNING CENTER DISCUSSION
DATE:
MARCH 1, 1993
LOCATION: ADULT LEARNING CENTER
TIME:
11:00 am
From:
Chris Gallagher
I.
PURPOSE
You will be holding a discussion with volunteers and
staff from the New Brunswick Adult Learning Center. The
purpose of this meeting is for you to interact with the
people whose education and service efforts will be
affected by your initiative on National Service.
Involving both pre- and post college kids, the site is
unique in the multiplicity of community service efforts
it conducts.
II.
BACKGROUND
In 1980 the New Brunswick Board of Education drafted a
proposal offering adults in the community the opportunity to
earn a standard high school diploma. Judith Kesin was hired
to implement the program. It immediately became clear to
Judy that the educational needs of area adults greatly
exceeded the resources available through the small program.
By 1981, state and federal funds were accessed to add
programs to the original school and develop new ones at
other district schools. In 1984, the first Adult Learning
Center opened under a single roof to house the popular
programs. In 1988, however, the Center closed and the
program nearly died after the state found the facility to be
inadequate in meeting building regulations. After much
lobbying by participants and staff, the Board of Education
made the commitment to support a new center. Today the Adult
Learning Center enrolls approximately 800 adults and out-of-
school youth. Free day and evening programs provide, in a
variety of formats, instruction for Literacy, "Second
Chance" High School Diploma Preparation, and English as a
Second Language (These programs are described in section
III.) The Center's mission is to enable adults and out-of-
school youth to acquire the skills and/or credentials
necessary to function independently as citizens, parents,
workers and consumers.
III. PARTICIPANTS
Governor Jim Florio, Senator Bill Bradley, Representative
Frank Pallone, New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill, Eli Segal,
Judy Kesin, Pauletta Heines.
Student participants will be seated at six round tables
representing six different programs offered at the Adult
Learning Center. The programs represented at the tables are
as follows:
- Table 1, Adult High School: Participants earn credit
towards a district high school diploma. They must meet state
and local graduation requirements as well as minimum
standards on the state-wide basic skills assessment. Seated
around this table will be four adult high school students,
their teacher, and a Rutgers intern who assists the teacher.
- Table 2, REACH literacy Program: This program is designed
to serve AFDC clients who are referred through REACH (the
state's welfare reform program) and JTPA. This remedial
program helps clients develop the skills needed for entry
into job-training programs. Career counseling is provided
for participants. Seated around the table will be adult
students on welfare, a teacher, and two Rutgers interns who
assist the teacher.
- Table 3, English as a Second Language (ESL) : This English
literacy program serves foreign born students who cannot
afford private classes. The program begins with a skills-
assessment class and progresses through three levels of ESL
classes. Seated around the table will be a diverse group of
ESL students of different skill levels, the teacher, and a
Rutgers intern.
- Table 4, New Jersey Youth Corps: This "second chance"
program for young people who have dropped out of school
(ages 16-25) combines diploma preparation, community service
work experience, work maturity training, personal and career
counseling and placement services. Youth Corps graduates
have gone on to college, entered job training and obtained
full-time employment after participation. Four Corps
members, a Corps GED teacher, and a Rutgers intern will be a
the table. Additional details on NJ Youth Corps attached.
- Table 5, Mentoring in the Community (Big Sister/Little
Sister) : "Mentoring in the Community" is a "Service
Learning" course at Rutgers designed to examine and nurture
mentoring relationships between young women. In addition to
a reading list, Rutgers students become "Big Sisters" to
local girls through the Big Sister/Little Sister program at
Adult Learning Center. At this table will be both "big" and
"little" sisters.
- Table 6, Artists in Society: This is another Rutgers class
that works in conjunction with the Adult Learning
Center. Part of the class includes Rutgers students
teaching dance to local kids through the "Art Matters"
program at the ALC. Seated at the table will be both
Rutgers students from the "Artist in Society" class and
the local kids who these students teach through "Art
Matters."
Important: Three participants in particular have prepared to
share with you their experience at the Adult Learning
Center. One will be Daniel Marshall, a New Jersey Youth
Corps member. Another will be Betty Shockley, an adult
student from the REACH literacy program. And the third will
be a Rutgers student, David McNight, who interns at the
center. Their backgrounds are attached.
IV. PRESS PLAN
Expanded Pool plus the New Jersey Pool.
V.
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
*
Upon arrival you will be greeted by Gov. Florio,
Senator Bradley, Rep. Frank Pallone, and Mayor of New
Brunswick Jim Cahill. After the greeting you will
proceed to classroom #319 and the greeters will proceed
to #306 to get in place for the event. In classroom
#319 you will meet and greet (5-10 minutes) with 100
students who will not be participating in the event.
This will be very informal, it will be closed to the
press and no sound will be provided.
*
After the meet and greet you will proceed to classroom
#306 with Judy Kesin, Principal of the Adult Learning
Center and Pauletta Heines, Director of the New Jersey
Youth Corps program at the Adult Learning Center. You
will have on a lavalier microphone. There will be 6
tables of students, you should briefly meet and greet
at each table and then take your seat. Judy will make
one minute remarks to open and inform everyone about
the program. Next there will be brief remarks from
David McNight, a Rutgers student; Daniel Marshall, a
New Jersey Youth Corps member; and Betty Shockley an
adult student in the REACH literacy program. Judy will
then open the event for a free flowing discussion. You
should not only take questions from the students, but
also ask them questions about the program. At the
appropriate time, Judy will close the program. At this
time you should invite everyone to come to the Rutgers
speech.
*
You will proceed to your holding room for a few minutes
to allow everyone to board the motorcade. You and Eli
Segal will then board the bus and ride with the Adult
Learning Center students to Rutgers. There will be a
camera crew and a still photographer riding the bus.
VI. REMARKS
Backgrounders on your National Service and "Summer of
Service" initiatives, and general talking points are
attached.
BACKGROUNDS ON THREE YOUNG PEOPLE
GIVING TESTIMONIALS AT
ADULT LEARNING CENTER
Betty Schockley
Betty is a 32 year old Afro-American mother of three who has
returned to school to improve her reading and C math skills so she
will be able to "get off welfare."
Danyelle Marshall
Danyelle is an 18 year old Afro-American mother completing
requirements for the GED. Her community service worksite is in
the escort service at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.
David McNight
A young man of African-American ancestry, David grew up in
an economically disadvantaged setting in Trenton. His devotion
to community service began in high school, and is motivated by a
desire to give back to communities, especially to the children of
economically disadvantaged backgrounds. He is a junior, majoring
in sociology and a resident of the Community Service House. He
has been working with young people at the Adult Learning Center,
first as a math tutor and mentor to young men and women seeking
to complete secondary school, then (along with Kenny Greenblatt
as a mentor/facilitator/resource in the Youth corps service-
learning pilot educational program. He was recently selected as
ont of two Rutgers University Holland Fellows, named after former
Trenton mayor Arthur Holland, a man himself devoted to comunity
service.
NATIONAL SERVICE
GENERAL TALKING POINTS
National Service as an American Ethic:
Americans have a new sense of determination. They're
saying: We want our country back. And they're doing something
about it. That's what national service is all about.
*
We're getting back to what's best about America and what's
best in ourselves -- a sense that we are all in this together,
and a government that helps individuals help our country.
*
I believe deeply in service, and I'm going to use the
resources at my disposal to support it. But those resources are
nothing compared to the resourcefulness of the American people.
So today, as our entire administration honors service, we
are challenging you to lift up yourselves and lift up your
country through service.
The National Service Initiative:
*
Service is an investment in our future -- and here's the
return:
- We'll rebuild our communities
- We'll send thousands of Americans to college
- We'll lift our country up and bring our people together.
*
Here's how we will make sure that government does its part
and helps people serve. The program has two main components:
- The first part will create thousands of new opportunities for
young people to pay for college by serving our country --
fighting crime, teaching young people, helping immunize children,
or cleaning up pollution and waste.
- The second part will enable young people to pay off their
loans as a small percentage of their income over time. "Income-
contingent loan repayment" will help young people take low-
paying public service jobs.
The Summer of Service
*
Because I don't want service to wait, I'm going to make this
summer a Summer of Service -- eight intense weeks for at least
1,000 young leaders from all backgrounds. They'll serve by
getting children at risk ready for school -- with tutoring, so
they've got better skills; with mentoring, so they want to stay
out of gangs and in class; and with immunizations and lead
poisoning detection, so kids aren't sick. (More details about the
Summer of Service are separately provided herewith.)
BACKGROUNDER ON
NATIONAL SERVICE INITIATIVE
Two parts. The legislation -- to be introduced soon -- has two
parts: an income-contingent repayment option and a service-for-
college benefits option. (Note: The remainder of this
backgrounder concerns the latter.)
Funding. $7.4 billion appropriated over the next four years --
$3.4 billion in FY 97, $400 million in FY 94.
Number of Participants. More than 25,000 in FY 94 and more than
100,000 by 1997. Many more Americans will serve because of the
income-contingent repayment option.
Eligibility and benefits. Students before, during and after
college will be eligible to serve for a year or two, and in
return get a small stipend, health and child care benefits where
necessary, and a benefit to pay for college or job training.
Activities. The program aims to meet unmet needs in critical
areas selected at the national level.
Administration. The program will be non-bureaucratic, using
venture capital to support entrepreneurs and public-private
partnerships to support growing programs. States and local
organizations will be given the opportunity to design innovative
ways to meet identified national priorities.
Nondisplacement. The legislation will include strict
nondisplacement and nonduplication provisions.
For your information but not yet vetted with Congress:
Benefit Level. $5000 per year before college, the lower of
$10,000 or the student's debt after college.
Administration. The legislation will probably establish a new
national service agency, consolidating the programs of the
Commission on National and Community Service and ACTION. The
agency would then be responsible for selecting the priorities to
be met by local service programs.
Professional Corps. The Teacher Corps and Police Corps will have
benefits and administrative structures different from other
programs. They may be funded through the national service agency.
Funding formula. Tentatively set at one-fourth to states by
formula (for their allocation) ; one-fourth to states
competitively; one-fourth directly to service organizations; and
up to one-fourth to federal agencies for service programs.
BACKGROUNDER ON
SUMMER OF SERVICE
Overview. In a limited number of communities around the country,
the Summer of Service will involve a diverse group of more than
1,000 young people in a leadership training program and special
efforts to help children at risk.
Funding. The program will be funded with a portion of a $15
million appropriation in the FY 93 stimulus package. (There is
additional challenge-grant funding for service corps; for
expanding teacher training in service learning; and for re-
establishing VISTA's Summer Associates program are also included
in the package.)
Goals. The program has two major goals: To show what national
service can accomplish, meeting critical needs and bringing
people together; and to develop a leadership corps for future
years of national service.
Targeted needs. The programs in the Summer of Service aim to help
children-at-risk in the areas of education, health, crime
prevention, and environmental protection. Some participants will
tutor; some will help bring families into medical clinics; some
will develop recreational centers; some will counsel youths to
keep them out of gangs.
Leadership training. The entire summer will be designed to
develop the leadership skills of participants. For several days
at the beginning and end of the summer, the young people will
gather to share their experiences and complete intensive
leadership training.
Post-program. All participants who are interested in continuing
to serve through the next year will receive placement assistance.
Selected participants with plants to design programs will receive
modest Service Entrepreneurial Awards for Change (SEA Change).
Administration. The Commission on National and Community Service
will administer a competitive process to determine what programs
participate. Then, with Commission guidance, programs that are
selected will choose participants and staff and run the summer
program.
Compensation. Participants will receive a minimum wage stipend
and $1,000 post-service benefit.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE NEW JERSEY YOUTH CORP
Program Description
The New Jersey Youth Corps of Middlesex County was one of the
nine pilot Youth Corps projects. The program was originally
funded in Fiscal Year 1986 as a consortium of five agencies and
institutions in Middlesex County. As a result of the unwieldy
logistics of multiple agency involvement, the second year program
sponsorship was whittled down to the solid partnership of the
New Brunswick Board of Education's Adult Learning Center and the
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey's
University of New Jersey, New Jersey's University of the Health
Sciences- Community Mental Health Center at Piscataway; Office of
Prevention Services.
The program, now in it's eighth year, has continued and
flourished under this unique partnership, tapping the rich and
varied resources and strengths of both entities. The New Jersey
Youth Corps of Middlesex County is housed in the Adult Learning
Center with staff form both the University and the Board of
Education.
Youth Corpsmembers are enrolled on a monthly basis in groups
of 10 - 15 per cycle and participate an average of seven monthly.
The first month features as array of activities designed to
address attitudinal barriers to success and to promote positive
group affiliation while beginning the basic skills development.
Intensive training in job readiness and job survival prepares
students for the paid community service work experience phase
which begins in the second month. Corpsmembers are placed at a
variety of local non-profit agencies/institutions where they work
on special projects which have been identified as those which
would not ordinarily be attended to by regular agency.
employees. Ten agencies including Robert Wood Johnson University
Hospital, Crossroads Theater, City of New Brunswick and the local
police Athletic League have served as worksites. Some
participants work with the program's Crew Leader on special
construction projects. Corpsmembers constructed a shelter for
the municipal recycling program. Several times each year,
corpsmenbers from 11 New Jersey Youth Corps programs gather to
cooperate on special projects of civic concern. These
corpsmembers were involved in a massive conservation effort on
Earth Day, in which they planted seedlings in Lebanon State
Forest. Corpsmembers and staff who are working in a new full-
time component funded by a grant from the Commission on National
and Community service, will travel to Miami, Florida to
participate in a rebuilding effort after the destruction of
Hurricane Andrew.
Attending school is an important part of the program and
Youth Corpsmembers must attend three hours a day at the Adult
Learning Center, where the program is housed, in order to receive
a stipend for living expenses for the hours in which they work.
Instruction combines both individualized and group modes in order
to best meet the varying needs and learning styles of
corpsmembers. Basic skills development is generally geared to
preparing corpsmembers for the state's GED test leading to the
New Jersey High School Diploma. Corpsmembers who have acquired a
sizeable number of high school credits may work with the Adult
High School, which is also located in the Center, in order to
complete state and local requirements for the New Brunswick High
School Diploma. Computer-assisted instruction, entrepreneurship
education and other practical life skills activities add
additional interest and relevance to the curriculum.
A comprehensive counseling component addresses attitudinal
and other socio-personal barriers to success. Group and
individual counseling are provided to all corpsmembers along
with outreach services, crisis intervention and family counseling
when necessary. Field intervention and family counseling when
necessary. Field trips, cultural activities and personal
development workshops are aimed at enhancing the participants'
life and coping skills. Career exploration and placement service
assist corpsmembers in developing realistic goals and in
following through with post program opportunities to enter
college, job training or to obtain a full-time job.
Transportation and assistance with child care through JTPA are
additional support services of the program.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
February 27, 1993
NATIONAL SERVICE ADDRESS AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
DATE:
March 1, 1993
LOCATION:
Rutgers University
TIME:
1:00 PM EST
FROM:
Chris Gallagher
I.
PURPOSE
You are going to Rutgers thirty-two years to the day
after President Kennedy established the Peace Corps. In
his spirit, you will issue a challenge to young people
to take responsibility for our future, and you will
"make news" by outlining your vision of national
service. The long-term vision mentions income-
contingent lending and stresses service placements for
college aid. The short-term plan is for the "summer of
service" for young people to target the needs of at-
risk youth. Rutgers was selected because it has one of
the best and most celebrated college service programs
in the country.
(NOTE: Other Administration principals doing national
service hits on Monday include The Vice President at
the Wisconsin Conservation Corps; Mrs. Gore at a
homeless shelter in Richmond; and Secretaries Babbitt
(North Carolina), Reich (Boston), Secretaries Shalala
and Espy will participate in the DC-area.)
II. BACKGROUND
Rutgers University: Rutgers University was chartered as
Queens College in 1766 to "promote learning for the
benefit of the community." Since that time -- it became
Rutgers College in the Nineteenth Century and the State
University of New Jersey in 1945 -- it has remained
committed to a form of liberal learning in which
citizenship and community responsibility play a key
role. Rutgers now enrolls more than 47,000 students on
its campuses in Camden, Newark, and New Brunswick. The
university comprises 26 degree-granting divisions:
twelve undergraduate colleges, eleven graduate schools,
and three schools offering both undergraduate and
graduate degrees. Minority students constitute 27% of
the student enrollment.
Service at Rutgers: Former President Edward J. Bloustein, in
his 1988 commencement address proposed "making
community service to others a requirement of the
undergraduate liberal arts degree.' As a result of
President Bloustein's initiative, The Committee on
Education for Civic Leadership (CECL), chaired by Walt
Whitman Professor of Political Science Benjamin Barber,
launched an ambitious program to explore ways that it
might educate students in the "civic arts" by linking a
classroom-based curriculum with community service
activity. The university program, currently in its
fourth year, now comprises over fifteen courses on all
three campuses in which students combine the study of
social issues with community service.
At the end of the Spring Semester, 1993, over 800
students will have participated in the CECL pilot
courses, contributing over 60,000 hours of community
service in New Brunswick, Camden, and Newark.
Collaboration with New Jersey: In addition to the work
on the Rutgers campuses, the CECL and the Walt Whitman
Center are collaborating with the State of New Jersey
in its comprehensive community service plan. The
state's efforts are highlighted by the New Jersey
Academy for Community Service and Service-Learning,
which provides training, curricular development,
dissemination, and evaluation to all community service
programs across the state; K-12, Youth Corps, and
higher education. One of two states to receive funding
under all four parts of the National and Community
Service Act, New Jersey will be launching its
innovative Urban Schools Service Corps, a program
sending full- and part-time youth and adults into 15
urban schools across the state to assist with teaching,
after-school activities, school-based site management,
and parental participation in the schools.
(NOTE: There have been student uprisings and
demonstrations at Rutgers for approximately four years.
Recently, four members of the lead protesting group
CARE -- Campaign for an Affordable Rutgers Education --
have been suspended from Rutgers for violating the
university's code of conduct. There has been a 26%
increase of tuition at Rutgers over the last four
years. The reason for the increase has been explained
as New Jersey's low priority in funding Higher
Education.)
III. PARTICIPANTS
On stage: Governor Jim Florio; Senator Edward Kennedy; Eli
Segal; Sargent Shriver, Original Director of the Peace
Corps; Senator Bill Bradley; Rep. Frank Pallone; Francis
Lawrence, President of Rutgers University; and Nakia
Tomlinson, Student from Rutgers, and other students.
Special Guests (seated in the VIP section):
See Reception Briefing for list of Special Guests.
IV. PRESS PLAN
Open press.
V.
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
*
Upon arrival at Rutgers you will be greeted by Sen. Ted
Kennedy; Sargent Shriver; Francis Lawrence, President
of Rutgers; Benjamin Barber- Director of the Rutgers
Citizen Education and Community Service Program; State
Sen. John Lynch, Mayor Ted Light of Piscataway,
Assemblymen Jerry Green and Bob Smith.
*
Proceed to hold in Coach's Office, 3rd floor. At this
time you may eat lunch, speech prep, etc.
Off state introduction, you will proceed to the
gymnasium and onto the stage with Eli Segal, President
Lawrence, Senator Bradley, Gov. Florio, Rep. Pallone,
Sen. Kennedy, Sargent Shriver, Nakia Tomlinson, Student
from Rutgers, and other students. The students will be
seated behind you on bleachers and the others will
seated on stage off to the side.
*
Program - President Lawrence will give opening remarks
(2 min.), Gov. Jim Florio will make brief remarks (2
min.), Nakia Tomlinson will make brief remarks (1 min.)
and introduce you. You will then give your address on
National Service. After your address you will exit
stage left and work a ropeline for about 15 minutes.
After you finish the ropeline proceed to the Men's
locker room for make-up and interviews.
*
After your interviews you will have a five minute
private meeting with Clay Constantinou. Originally,
Clay had a meeting scheduled with you on February 15,
at the White House but it was cancelled at the last
moment because of a scheduling conflict.
VI. REMARKS
Speech attached. (NOTE: Nakia Tomlinson will introduce you.
Her biography is attached. Also attached are
biographies of three people who you will refer to in
your speech: Stephen Spaloss, Orah Fireman, and
Antoinette Jackson)
Important: Special acknowledgements would be in order for
Eli Segal and the four people associated with President
Kennedy and/or the Peace Corps: Sen. Edward Kennedy,
Sargent Shriver, Harris Wofford (original Deputy
Director) and Chris Dodd (Peace Corps volunteer,
Dominican Republic).
People you mention in the speech:
(These are young people from across the nation who are doing outstanding
service work.)
Stephen Spalos (He gave you his City Year sweatshirt off of his back when you
visited the City Year program in Boston during the primaries).
Background: Multi-racial, 23 yrs. old, is a team leader in the City Year youth
corp program in Boston.
Stephen grew up in a tough neighborhood in Nashua, NH. He was
involved in gangs and drugs and eventually got in trouble with the law. He
enrolled in the City Year program because "he wanted someone to give him the
tools he needed to start over".
Service Experience: Stephen is a team leader responsible for serving as a mentor,
tutor, and big brother for 8 young corps members. The team he leads is restoring
senior citizen's' homes in Chelsea, MA.
Phone: (617)-230-0405
Orah Fireman
Background: White, 22 yrs. old, grew up in middle class family in New York
City, graduated from Wesleyan University, is now full-time teacher in school for
"at risk" children in Boston.
Service Experience: Orah began working with children "at risk" at the Ramapo
Anchorage camp in Rhinebeck, N.Y. when she was 16 yrs. old. She continued
through college, became Head Counselor of the camp, and is now a full-time
teacher at a school for "at risk" children in Boston.
Phone: (212)-316-1728
Antoinette Jackson
(From Gould, Arkansas, Antoinette is a member of the Delta Service Corp under
the suprevision of Billy Anne Meyers)
Background: African-american, 17 yrs. old, high school senior. Plans to attend
Philander Smith college next fall.
Service Experience: As a Delta Corpsmember, Antoinette is Site Director for the
"Lend-a-Hand" program's "Clothes Closet". This program provides clothing,
food, and other essentials to senior citizens and families in need in the
community.
Phone: (501)-263-4529
(questions: conatct Kate Frucher x6444)
Introducing the President:
Nakia Tomlinson: Freshman, Rutgers University
(She will be participating at the Adult Learning Center event)
Background: 18 yrs. old, african-american, from Laural Md. She is a freshman at
Rutgers majoring in dance.
Service Experience:
* Laurel Public High School - President of the "Interact" club which
involved high school students twice a week in various sorts of service work
(Students visited senior citizen homes, wrote letters to soldiers in Operation
Desert Storm, for example). Nakia also coached the cheerleading squad.
* After high school - worked as a counselor at the "Partners in Education"
summer program working with low to middle income elementary school kids as
tutors, mentors, big brothers and big sisters.
* At Rutgers - works at the Paul Robeson center with 30 underprivileged
elementary school kids in a program called "art matters" which teaches basic
music and dance performance skills. (The program is part of the Rutgers
University service-learning initiative which requires students to complement
their studies with hands-on service experience).
Nakia says that she got involved in service work because "I know I have
something to offer people, ...especially young african-american kids who don't
think that it is possible for them to become college students or dancers or
important people. I have a responsibility to them. I have been fortunate. When
they see that I am trying to make it and that I am even getting somewhere, they
begin to think that maybe they can too."
(questions: contact Kate Frucher x6444)
1
2/28/93
6:30 pm
--Draft--
ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
MARCH 1, 1993
[Acknowledgments]
I am here to ask you to join me at the beginning of a great
adventure. In the next few weeks, I will ask Congress to create
a new system of voluntary national service. In the next few
years, I believe this program will change America.
Today, I ask you to become part of a noble tradition, of
Americans serving their communities and our country.
My parents' generation won new dignity, working their way
out of the Great Depression. Brave men and women in my own
generation waged and won peaceful revolutions in civil rights and
human rights.
Now, Americans of every generation face the challenge of
meeting needs that have been neglected for too long. From city
streets plagued by crime and drugs, to classrooms where girls and
boys must learn the skills they'll need tomorrow, to hospital
wards where patients languish for want of care, our problems
demand action.
For those who answer the call -- and meet these challenges -
- your country must honor your service and offer new
opportunities for education and training. For, at our best,
America offers opportunity, rewards responsibility, and builds
community.
My challenge is for everyone who is young in years -- or
young in spirit. It is a challenge for Americans from every
background and every walk of life. It is a challenge that builds
upon the best traditions of a nation filled with youthful energy,
and restless, questing spirit.
Service has value that goes beyond money; it is the American
way to change America.
The concept of community -- and the spirit of service -- are
as old as our history. Especially at moments of change and
challenge, Americans have found new ways to honor service,
encourage individual responsibility, and solve our most pressing
problems.
2
It began the moment America was invented. "with faith in
divine Providence, Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of
Independence, "we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our
fortunes and our sacred honor.'
In the midst of the Civil War, President Lincoln signed into
law two visionary programs that helped America come together
again and grow stronger than ever.
The Morrill Act helped the states create new "land-grant"
colleges where young people learned the skills to make American
agriculture and industry the best in the world. Its legacy is
not only our great state colleges and universities like Rutgers
but the American tradition that merit -- and not money -- should
give people the chance for higher education.
The Homestead Act offered 100 acres of land for families who
had the courage to settle the frontier and farm the wilderness.
Its legacy is a nation that stretches from coast to coast.
Seven decades later, in the midst of the Great Depression,
President Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps,
which gave two-and-a-half million young people the opportunity to
support themselves while working in disaster relief and
maintaining forests, beaches, rivers, and parks. Its legacy is
not only the restoration of our natural environment but the
restoration of our national spirit.
In the midst of World War II, President Roosevelt proposed
the GI Bill of Rights which offered returning veterans the
opportunity to buy a home, a farm, or a business -- and, even
more importantly, for education or job training. Thanks to the GI
Bill, which became a living reality in President Truman's time,
more than eight million veterans got advanced education. Half a
century later the legacy of the GI Bill is the great American
middle class.
And for many in my own generation, the summons to
citizenship and service came 32 years ago today, when President
Kennedy created the Peace Corps, with Sargent Shriver and Harris
Wofford, and enabled thousands of young Americans to serve on the
leading edge of the New Frontier.
Even at its height, the Peace Corps enrolled only 16,000 men
and women. But its legacy is not only good will and good works in
countries all across the globe, but a profound and lasting change
in the way Americans think about their country and the world.
Truly, the lesson of our history is that honoring service
and rewarding responsibility is the best investment America can
make. And today I ask Americans to join me in making that
investment, not only with our dollars but with our deeds.
3
of all the investments in my economic plan, none is more
important than national service. It invests in our most precious
resource: the spirit and the skills of our people. And it
recognizes a simple but powerful truth: that we will make
progress not by government working alone, but by the people and
their government working together.
My economic plan offers new opportunities for education and
training, but you must seize those opportunities and make the
most of them. My plan can offer every child the chance for a
healthy start and a Head Start, but parents must raise their
children right. And my plan can rebuild the physical structure of
our communities -- from our roads and highways to our subways and
city halls -- but Americans must also restore the social fabric
of our communities, so that we can work together in our factories
and offices and schools.
My plan summons tremendous resources to tackle our problems.
But even greater than these resources is the resourcefulness of
the American people. Whenever Americans have been offered the
opportunity, they have eagerly accepted the responsibility to
improve their own lives and contribute something to their
country. This is why national service is so important.
Our national service program will be built on the same
principles as the old GI Bill. It will challenge our people to
serve our country and do the work that should -- and must -- be
done. It will invest in the future of every man and woman who
contributes to their community and their country. And while we
rekindle the spirit of national service, we should reform our
system of student loans.
We will make it easier for young people to pay back their
student loans, enabling them to hold public service jobs that
accomplish much but pay relatively little. Under our program,
Americans will be able to borrow the money they need for college
-- and pay it back as a small percentage of their income over
time.
We'll give graduates the chance to repay their loans on an
affordable, sensible schedule, based on how much money you earn
each year. This will give you the chance to do the work our
communities really need -- and still pay off your loans.
The status quo is unacceptable. The system is too
complicated and too expensive. Bankers and middlemen siphon off
too much. Taxpayers are left holding the bag for billions in
defaults every year. And high monthly bills that arrive after
graduation discourage young people from choosing the path of
service.
4
Beginning tomorrow, Washington, D.C., will be swarming with
lobbyists representing the banks. Even before our national
service legislation is presented to the House and Senate, they' 11
try to tell the Senators and Representatives that the status quo
on student loans is the best we can do.
It's time to put the national interest first for a change.
Let's help the millions of students this system was built to
benefit -- not the favored few who profit from it now. You and I
know that America can do better.
Our national service program will create new opportunities
for Americans to serve our country for a year or two -- and get
financial support for education or training in return.
No matter where you stand on life's journey -- and no
matter what path you are pursuing -- we will offer you the
opportunity to serve. We'll ask you to serve in our schools --
not only as teachers but as tutors in reading and mathematics.
We'll ask you to help our police forces across the nation.
We'll train members for a new Police Corps that will walk beats
and work with neighborhoods to fight back against the crime wave
that terrorizes our people and tears apart our communities.
We will ask you to help control pollution and recycle waste,
to make sure that you pass on to your children a country that is
clean and safe for generations to come.
And these are just a few of the opportunities we will offer.
I have often spoken about "reinventing government. And I
want national service to empower communities, not enlarge
bureaucracies. Observers from Alexis de Tocqueville to those in
our own time have marveled at the vibrant and diverse civic life
we have built here in America -- our houses of worship, our
community associations, and our business, professional, labor,
and ethnic organizations.
All across America, people are serving their neighbors and
their neighborhoods.
This morning, I was inspired to see and speak with students
from Rutgers who are serving their community, from mentoring
young people as "big sisters" to helping older people learn new
skills.
I am impressed by the spirit behind the Rutgers Civic
Education and Community Service Program. You understand that
community service enriches the educational experience: that
students should not only take the lessons they learn in class out
into the community, but bring the lessons they learn in community
5
service back into the classroom. In that spirit, during this
academic year alone, more than 800 students from Rutgers are
contributing more than 60,000 hours of community service, at your
campus here in New Brunswick and in Camden and Newark.
And this morning, I also met members of the New Jersey Youth
Corps, who serve in their communities while completing their high
school degrees. Through this program, more than 6,500 young
adults contribute more than 900,000 hours of service to the
state.
Here in New Brunswick, these young people paint senior
citizens' homes and tutor and mentor children in after-school
programs. For the future of this state and this country, we need
more young people like those in the New Jersey Youth Corps, who
exemplify the spirit of service. Here in New Brunswick, and all
across America, that spirit is moving Americans to make wonderful
contributions to their communities.
The spirit of service moves Antoinette Jackson, a high
school senior from the community of Gauld in my home state. As a
volunteer with the Mississippi Delta Corporation, she works with
the "lend-a-hand" program which runs a thrift shop that provides
hungry and homeless people with food and clothing. And, in return
for her service, the Delta Corporation is going to help her
attend college, so that she can get the education to make an even
greater contribution to our country.
The spirit of service moves Stephen Spalos, who works with
the City Year program in Boston. At age 23, he's had some hard
times in his life, but, as he puts it, City Year game him "a
place and the tools to be able to start over." He works as a team
leader -- a mentor, a tutor, and a project manager -- for a team
of young people restoring senior citizens' homes.
And the spirit of service moves Orah Fireman, a graduate of
Wesleyan College. As a sophomore in high school, she worked with
disadvantaged children at Camp Ramapo. That experience changed
her life, and, during her high school and college years, she
continued working with children. Now that she's graduated from
college, she's working at a school for emotionally disturbed
children in Boston. And she would like other young people to have
the opportunity to serve, for, as she writes: "Service work
teaches responsibility and compassion. It fights alienation by
proving to young people that they can make a difference in their
community. There is no lesson more important than that."
There are stories like these all across America. And our
national service program is going to build on what people are
already doing. We'll work with groups with proven track records
serving their communities, giving them the support they need to
grow. And we'll let people with good ideas -- "entrepreneurs, if
6
you will, -- compete for the venture capital they need to develop
new programs to serve their neighbors.
That is why we want the national service program to keep
growing every year, rewarding results and building on proven
success. And I don't want service to wait, while people's
potential is wasted.
That is why I want to make this summer a summer of service,
when young people can not only serve their communities but build
a solid foundation for a new national effort.
I am asking Congress to invest in -- and I am asking young
people to participate in -- a special effort in national service
and leadership training. We'll recruit more than 1,000 young
people, from every background, and from high school dropouts to
college graduates. We'll send them to an intensive leadership
training "boot camp" at the beginning of the summer.
Then, we'll ask them to work on one of our country's most
urgent problems: helping children who are in danger of losing
their God-given potential.
Some of the participants will tutor. Some will work on
programs to immunize young girls and boys against childhood
diseases. Some will help develop and run recreational centers,
or reclaim urban parks from the dealers and the debris. Some
will counsel people a few years younger than themselves to keep
them out of gangs. And every participant will learn about
serving our country and helping ourselves.
At the end of this summer of service, we will bring all the
participants together for several days of debriefing and
training. Then, the participants will join in a Youth Service
Summit. I will attend that meeting, and I plan to listen even
longer than I speak. And I will ask leaders from Congress, and
from the business, labor, religious, and education communities to
attend that Youth Service Summit with me.
We'll give those who serve the honor they deserve, and learn
a lot about how to build a national service program. And, from
the thousand pioneers of this summer, I want the national service
program to grow one hundred-fold within four years.
Even when hundreds of thousands are serving, I want to
maintain the pioneer spirit of these first months. Because
national service will make America new again.
National service can help solve our problems, educate our
people, and reknit our communities. If you want to answer the
challenge, please let me know. Drop me a card -- and mark it
"National Service." Let me know that you want to serve.
7
Then, when the programs for the Summer of Service have been
selected, we will give you information about the effort closest
to you. While I cannot guarantee that you will be chosen, I do
assure you that you will be considered. Together, we can make
sure that the Summer of Service this year will grow into many
more seasons of service for others who follow their example and
answer the call.
My message today is that you shouldn't wait -- and our
country cannot wait -- for a summer or for a program. We need to
begin right now.
Today is Monday. By Friday, think about what you can do to
be an agent of renewal. Talk to your teachers, your parents, your
clergy, and your friends. Join the effort to renew our
communities and rebuild our country. And write me about what you
are doing.
It is time for millions of you to change our country --
block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood. It is time to
return to our roots -- in excitement, in idealism, and in youth.
There are some among us -- your elders and your peers -- who
believe that young Americans will no longer answer a call to
action. They say young people measure their success merely in
the accumulation of material things. They maintain that a summons
to service will go unanswered.
I maintain: They are wrong. And I ask you to prove that what
they are saying about your generation is wrong.
But my message today is not only for the young people who
are here with me, but for Americans of every age, everywhere.
Whether you are a ten-year-old in a service program in our
schools who reads to younger children, or a seventy-two-year-old
who has become a foster grandparent, you can contribute to your
community and your country.
In serving others, you will find the best in yourself. And
you will learn lessons about your own life, about other people,
and about the meaning of our democracy.
You will learn that each of us has the spark of potential to
accomplish something for ourselves and contribute something to
others. You will experience the satisfaction of making a
connection with someone you may think is very different from you,
only to learn you have more in common than you thought. You will
learn that the joy of mastering a new skill or discovering a new
insight is equaled and exceeded only by the joy of helping
another person experience that excitement.
8
You will know the satisfaction of being valued not for what
you own or even for what you earn, but for what you have
contributed to others. You will understand the wisdom in the
words of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. : "Everybody can be
great. Because everybody can serve."
More than in any classroom or from any book, you will learn
the meaning of America at its best. For we are not just another
country, but a special kind of community, linked by a web of
rights and responsibilities, and bound together not by bloodlines
but by beliefs. When we serve others, we honor our heritage,
exercise our responsibilities, and act on our beliefs.
Today, I ask you, not just to commit yourselves to seasons
of service, but to become Americans in the best sense of the
word. I am confident that your generation of Americans -- and
every generation of Americans -- will answer the call.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
February 27, 1993
MTV INTERVIEW
DATE:
March 1, 1993
LOCATION:
Rutgers Athletic Center
Holding Room
TIME:
2 PM (approx., after speech)
FROM:
Ethan Zindler
I. PURPOSE
You should use this interview to reiterate the message of the
speech directly through the one medium which reaches more young
people than any other - MTV. This is a perfect opportunity for
you to repeat your speech's challenge to young people to play
leading roles in solving the problems facing their communities.
II. BACKGROUND
You have been interviewed one-on-one by MTV's Tabitha Soren twice
before: at the Meadowlands in New Jersey last November and on the
bus in Georgia last September. You also appeared with her on
MTV's "Choose or Lose Town Hall" in Los Angeles last May.
Those appearances, along with others aimed at young people,
solidified your base of support among 18-24 year olds and helped
boost turnout among this previously low-turnout group. It is
estimated that young voter turnout increased by 10 percent in
1992, with about two million more young people voting than in
1988. You won the large majority of these "first timers".
The success of the national service initiative will depend
largely on how well young people can be motivated to get
involved. They must view service as more than a way to pay for
college.
III. PARTICIPANTS
1. Reporter Tabitha Soren
2. Producer Dave Sirulnick, MTV News Director
3. Two camera people and two sound tech people.
IV. PRESS PLAN
MTV is putting together a half hour special called "Bill Clinton:
Your Future, His Plan" which will air at 11 PM on Monday night,
noon and 10 PM on Tuesday, and several more times throughout the
week. The program will consist of background on and comparisons
to the genesis of the Peace Corps, soundbites from your speech at
Rutgers, and virtually all of this interview.
Tabitha Soren is now also an occasional correspondent for NBC's
Today Show and will report on her discussion with you during an
in-studio appearance with Katie Couric on Tuesday morning.
Portions of the interview will be aired then, as well.
A staff photographer will take pictures of you before and during
the interview for possible distribution to college newspapers.
V. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
--
MTV will set up their cameras in a holding room at the
Rutgers Athletic Center while you are giving your speech.
--
You will be interviewed immediately following the close of
your speech for ten minutes.
VI. REMARKS
It is expected that Tabitha Soren's questions will be a bit
tougher this time than during your previous interviews. There
are a couple reasons for this: first, MTV News is feeling
defensive about accusations that they were flacks for the Clinton
campaign; and second, Tabitha, aware of the fact that she is
looked down upon (and probably envied by) the national press
corps, is currently being profiled by Betsey Kolbert of the New
York Times who will be watching the interview from MTV's control
room.
As a result of this interview and your speech, we would like
young people to demonstrate that they think service is vital for
the country, that they support your plan for national service,
and that they want to serve. Accordingly, you should echo your
Rutgers challenge that they write you, saying they are ready to
serve. We'll use the statistics about the response received as
part of our legislative strategy. We'll also be sending each
respondent information about one of the Summer of Service
programs closest to them. Specifically, give the following
address:
The White House -- National Service
Washington, DC 20500
Again, as you are doing in your speech, we'd suggest that you
stress that there is only so much the federal government can do,
and challenge your audience to seize the responsibility for
making change -- and then write you. (These anecdotes will be
useful for speeches, for your and Eli's future site visits, and
potentially for programs to include in the initiative.)
This is also a good chance to pitch the overall economic plan.
Young people have the most to gain and the least to lose under
the plan.
Tabitha's questions will probably touch on the following:
The Summer Program and the Entire Initiative
Tabitha is aware of the fact that not all of the details have
been sorted out, but she will ask you to clarify how young people
can get involved, particularly in the summer program. She will
probably also ask you to respond to critics who say you're not
keeping your promise and that the program is starting too small.
She has been told that national service is being "ramped up" just
as other successful social programs such as Head Start and Social
Security were.
The Energy Tax
She is likely to ask how this will affect young people. You
should feel free to explain to MTV's audience the environmental
benefits of such a tax. And you should point out that under your
plan young people are asked to make the least financial
contribution of any age group, but that we all have a part to
play.
Race Relations/Discrimination
As a rejoinder to their "Choose or Lose" campaign of last year,
MTV has begun a new campaign called "Free Your Mind" focusing on
race, class, and sexual divisions in America. This new campaign
was partly inspired by something you said on MTV last November.
When asked what was the one issue you would fight hardest for, no
matter the political consequences, you answered: tolerance and
mutual understanding among all Americans. MTV would very much
like to hear you say the word "tolerance" again.
Quick Q & A
At the end of the original MTV town hall, you were asked a series
of rapid-fire one word answer questions about your favorite
sport, music, book, painter, etc. Tabitha would like a chance to
ask you a bunch of these at the end of the interview. Here are
some possible questions you might get:
Your favorite rapper?
Chelsea's favorite rapper?
Your favorite band? (supporters U2 or R.E.M.)
What does Hillary like to cook?
Where do you like to listen to music in the White House?
Favorite room in the White House?
Why did you make the White House mess accessible to all?
The average age of your staff?
Age of the person who briefed you for this interview? (23)
February 27, 1993
DATE:
March 1, 1993
LOCATION:
One-on-one Interviews
w/ Louisiana Anchors
Lewis Brown Athletic Center/
Rutgers, Piscataway, NJ
2--3:30pm
FROM:
Lavora Barnes/Maria Tio
I.
PURPOSE
These one-on-one interviews are to continue to sell the
economic plan at the local level in targeted markets.
Today, you will be interviewed by Louisiana anchors from
New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport.
II.
BACKGROUND
WWL-TV in New Orleans is the #1 station in New
Orleans. Until recently, this station also was #1 in
market share in the country, capturing roughly
50% of the viewership in the Crescent City.
WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge is #1 in the market and KSLA in
Shreveport is #2.
III. PARTICIPANTS
The President
Jeff Eller
John Snell - WWL-TV, New Orleans
George Caldwell Sells III - WAFB-TV, Baton Rouge
Karin Adams - KSLA-TV, Shreveport
IV.
PRESS PLAN
No coverage. Interviews are closed.
V.
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
Makeup.
Louisiana anchors interview for 15 minutes.
VI.
REMARKS
none.
ADDITIONAL BRIEFING FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON
I.
NEW ORLEANS STATION
WWL-TV (CBS) Channel 4: Formerly owned by Loyola
University and the Catholic Church (and now owned by a group
of in-house employees who bought the station when the
Jesuits got into cable), this well-respected, liberal news
station has a tradition of in-depth reporting on political,
social and environmental issues.
Back in the '80s, when it was fashionable to do series on
the fax craze or dating, WWL broadcasted an anchor-driven
24-part series called "The Haves and the Have-Nots. " This
series examined the problems of every strata of New Orleans'
society with particular emphasis on the urban underclass.
John Snell remembers you from a December, 1984 story he did
on the grand gulf nuclear power plant. You gave him a 20-
minute interview and, from what I gather, the story centered
on how Arkansas was well ahead of Louisiana and Mississippi
in fighting this power plant. He's considered an unassuming
guy, but can ask very tough questions.
WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge also is considered a very liberal
station. George Caldwell Sells III has been with the station
since 1988. He anchors mostly, but can be an effective
interviewer.
KSLA-TV in Shreveport is considered a moderate to
conservative station. Karin Adams has been with the station
over ten years and her reputation is that she's tough.
II. ISSUES
CASINO VS. RIVERBOAT GAMBLING IN NEW ORLEANS: Louisiana Governor
Edwin Edwards says two potential operators of a proposed gambling
casino in New Orleans have guaranteed the state $100 million
upfront if the casino at the intersection of Canal Street (the
heart of downtown) and the Mississippi River is built.
But the Chairman of the Riverboat Gambling commission is saying
that the state could realize $125 million in revenues if the 15
floating casinos are liscensed by his commission. (this second
proposal calls for gambling on boats on the Mississippi as well
as Lake Ponchatrain.)
Local citizenry are concerned about the impact it will have on
life in the Big Easy (traffic downtown, organized crime, etc.) as
well as the real encroachment on historic preservation land. That
area along the river, which includes "The Moonwalk" (a vista
named after former Mayor Moon Landrieu), is the gateway to the
French Quarter and Fauborg Marigny. The city planning commission
has approved the developer's plan, the city council next faces
this issue.
Cambling as a whole is a big issue in New Orleans. The voters
realize the city and state needs more revenue, but most are
concerned about crime. The same kinds of concerns about Gambling
exist in Shreveport, Louisiana. Last week, ministers and
residents of Bossier City (right outside of Shreveport) prayed
together for divine intervention against riverboat gambling.
MORE LOUISIANA FISCAL WOES
DEFICIT, OIL & ENERGY TAX: Louisiana's deficit is over 100
million and still climbing. The state's historical overdependence
on oil revenues to pay for state services is the root cause of
the problem. And, unfortunately, as the oil revenues dwindled in
the 80's, so did federal money targeted for states
Not good news
Last week, Governor Edwin Edwards unveiled his state budget:
$180 million in permanent cuts and another $498 million in cuts
if the legislature doesn't go along with the $560 million in tax
and revenue increases.
ENERGY TAXES: Without question, Energy taxes will not be
considered good news in Louisiana. Both Senators Johnston and
Breaux have come out for a VAT tax as opposed to a BTU tax. Oil
interests, the butter on the bread of both of these senators,
oppose the BTU because the tax is twice as high on crude oil as
it is on any other fuels (59.9 cents per million BTU as opposed
to 25.7 per million for coal and natural gas). Additionally, the
tax would double in 1995 and 1996.
ENERGY TAXES & FARMING: energy taxes will definitely affect
farmers in Louisiana. Fuel is used on the farm not only in
transportation, but in grain dryers, irrigation systems, aerial
spraying. Also pesticides and fertilizers are made from petro and
natural gas foodstocks.
*WAFB in Baton Rouge has done a few recent stories about the
concern over the BTU tax.
MORE FINANCE AND REVENUE: New Orleans deperately is trying to
attract more revenue. It does not have a diverse economy and
depends solely on tourism. And tourism obviously doesn't pay all
of the bills. This fiscal year, New Orleans faces a 15 million
dollar deficit.
Presently, there is a superdome bonds refinance proposal on the
city's plate. They're trying to raise money to build a sports
arena to attract a basketball team to New Orleans. (Years ago,
the New Orleans Jazz basketball team left to become the Utah
Jazz.)
EDUCATION: of some interest is Governor Edwin Edwards' plan to
use the $140 million expected from lottery revenues for
elementary and secondary education.
This will be good news to Baton Rouge. New taxes this year
earmarked for school improvement was voted down. Since the public
schools are predominantly African-American and the private
schools predominantly White, some see this as racially motivated.
In New Orleans, quite a few school board members lost their jobs
in the last election due to voter concern over poor student
performance, underfunding and administration apathy.
And in Shreveport, educators are lauding a plan executed six
years ago by Walnut Hill Elementary/Middle School Prinicipal
Albert Hardison. He started separating elementary school children
according to ability. Six years later: fewer discipline problems,
and these mostly low-income rural students' standardized test
scores surpassed parish and state averages. Next fall, this
principal's blueprint will be used in every Caddo parish
elementary school.
HOUSING: In New Orleans, housing stock in scandalous disrepair.
Even housing covered by preservation laws are boarded up and
abandoned. Not enough money coming into the city for rehab. There
is a lot of out migration to areas outside of the city to St.
Tamney and Jefferson parishes.
PUBLIC HOUSING is abysmal. In 1991, HUD judged New Orleans public
housing as the worst in the country. The Desire, St. Thomas, St.
Bernard and Fisher projects truly are horrifying. City Councilman
Lambert Boissiere (bwois-e-air) has pushed for individual
ownership of public housing units (and, incidentally, enterpris
zones).
POLITICAL: When Mayor Sidney Barthelemy returned from the meetin
:
with you and Cisneros, his message to the city was the Clinton
Administration would offer co-ordinated help for housing,
infrastructure, roads, highways
CRIME: In New Orleans, the murder rate has dropped for the first
time in five years and the numbers show a decrease in the major
crime areas. Concurrent with this drop is an increase of police
manpower on city streets. N.O. put 200 additional officers on the
street this year (Let's hear it for putting people first).
In Baton Rouge, crime continues to be a major concern with no
decrease in sight.
INSURANCE REFORM, HEALTH OR OTHERWISE: Any insurance reformers,
health or otherwise, will find a receptive audience in Louisiana.
Louisiana has one of the highest numbers of medically uninsured
in the country and 40% of the drivers in Louisiana drive without
insurance.
Just FYI: the last two state insurance commissioners, Doug Green
and Sherman Bernard, are serving federal time and under
indictment (respectively) for insurance fraud specifically for
allowing insurance companies to act criminally in the state.
(They allowed insurance companies to act with false assets,
writing policies they couldn't cover. Companies basically were
paper tigers who were destroyed by claims.)
There are two good medical schools in Louisiana, Tulane and LSU.
Two bright growth spots: small business and the medical field.
See accompanying articles.
THE WHITE HOUSE
washington
February 28, 1993
RADIO CONFERENCE CALL WITH NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA
DATE:
March 1, 1993
LOCATION:
Rutgers University
TIME:
Approx 2:30 PM EST
FROM:
Richard Strauss
I. PURPOSE:
The purpose of this radio conference call is to help build
support for your economic package in both North and South
Dakota. As far as I know, this will be your first radio
conference call or interview with local radio as President.
II. BACKGROUND:
This will be a fifteen minute conference call with five
radio stations/networks from North Dakota and South Dakota.
The conference call will be coordinated by the Office of
Media Affairs and the White House Communications Agency.
Jeff Eller and I will help moderate the call. We will have
each station representative ask one question with the
opportunity for one follow-up, time permitting.
A complete issues briefing on both states is attached.
III. PARTICIPANTS:
1.
Glenn Douglass. Dakota News Network. Fargo, N.D.
2.
Gene Hetland. KSOO-AM. Sioux Falls, S.D.
3.
Debrah Jenson or Kobi Ebert. KOTA-AM. Rapid City, S.D.
4.
Mark Swartzell. WDAY-AM. Fargo, N.D.
5.
Doug Barrett. KNOX-AM. Grand Forks, N.D.
Please see attached information sheet for details.
IV. PRESS PLAN:
The radio stations will probably not carry the conference
call live but will instead use excerpts in their newscasts.
Since the Dakotas don't often get too many exciting news
stories, this will be a huge media deal and television
stations will also run stories on the call.
V.
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS:
You will give your speech and then proceed to an interview
with MTV. The radio conference call will take place sometime
after your MTV interview.
TO: President Clinton
FR: Richard Strauss
DT: February 28, 1993
RE: Radio Conference Call Participants
1.
BI-STATE RADIO NETWORK
STATION:
Dakota Radio Network
FORMAT:
Bi-State radio network
INTERVIEWER:
Glenn Douglass
CONTACT:
Steve Carlson
HOTLINE #:
701-237-5000
NOTES:
They have 39 affiliates in both North and South
Dakota. They are based in Fargo. They will likely
ask you about agriculture and the effect of your
economic plan on the region's farmers.
2.
SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA
STATION:
KSOO-AM
FORMAT:
News/Talk
WATTAGE:
10,000
INTERVIEWER:
Gene Hetland
HOTLINE #
605-339-1140
BACKUP #:
605-339-9999
NOTES:
None.
3.
RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA
STATION:
KOTA-AM
FORMAT:
News/Talk
WATTAGE:
5,000
INTERVIEWER:
Deb Jenson or Kobi Ebert
HOTLINE #:
605-342-2000
NOTES:
May ask how your plan will effect farmers in the
state.
4.
FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA
STATION:
WDAY-AM
FORMAT:
News/Talk
WATTAGE:
5,0000
INTERVIEWER:
Don Haney
CONTACT:
Mark Swartzell
HOTLINE #:
701-241-5304
BACKUP #:
701-241-5305/237-6500
NOTES:
Fargo is the biggest city, with 74,111 people. It
sits along the Red River on the eastern border of
the state, with sister city Moorhead, MN across
the river. Mark may ask you a question about Larry
Vallella.
5.
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
STATION:
KNOX-AM
FORMAT:
News/Talk
WATTAGE:
5,000
INTERVIEWER:
Doug Barrett
HOTLINE #:
701-746-6397
BACKUP #:
701-775-4611/775-5559
NOTES:
Grand Forks is the 2nd largest-city, with 49,425
people. It lies north of Fargo on the Red River,
with its sister city of East Grand Forks,
Minnesota close by. Doug may want to talk about
the agricultural economy and the energy and
ethanol issues.
ISSUES BRIEF ON NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA
NORTH DAKOTA
GENERAL
North Dakota is the most rural state in the nation. One-quarter
of her 639,000 residents live on farms and ranches. The state is
second only to Kansas in wheat production, and leads the world in
the production of durum wheat.
AGRICULTURE
Agriculture is the keystone of North Dakota's economy, accounting
directly and indirectly for more than 40 percent of personal
income. When farmers have a good year, everybody has a good year.
Like many farm states, North Dakota has been losing farm and
rural population. The 1990 census showed that North Dakota was,
for the first time, more urban than rural, and was one of only
four states to go down in population size between 1980 and 1990.
ENERGY
The energy industry finishes a distant second to agriculture in
the state economy. North Dakota is one of the top ten states for
oil production, but the oil in western North Dakota is difficult
to extract and profitable only when prices are high.
The state boasts huge reserves of lignite coal, powering mine-
mouth electrical generation plants and the nation's only
commercial-scale coal gasification facility, the Great Plains
plant.
POLITICS
The state is conservative and generally votes Republican in
Presidential contests. North Dakota last voted for a Democratic
President in 1964. The numbers in the 1992 contest were 44
percent for Bush, 32 for you, and 23 for Perot.
Nonetheless, the state has been sending Democrats to Congress.
Senator Conrad was elected by a crushing margin in a special
election to replace the late Senator Quentin Burdick. Senator
Byron Dorgan was elected to the Senate in November after spending
ten years in the House. Earl Pomeroy, also a Democrat, now serves
as the state's only House member.
The Democrats, however, lost the gubernatorial election in 1992,
with Republican Ed Schafer winning the open seat, succeeding
retiring Governor George Sinner.
PEOPLE
The ethnic heritage of North Dakota is overwhelmingly
Scandinavian, German, and German-Russian. The state was a center
for the radical "prairie fire" farm politics of the early 1900's,
and the economic and physical isolation the early settlers felt
from the centers of finance and commerce in the east remains
today. North Dakotans are fiercely independent, and very
suspicious of "eastern liberal" media and politicians.
There are six indian reservations in North Dakota, home to a
number of Sioux peoples, Chippewa, and the Three Affiliated
Tribes of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara.
IN THE LOCAL NEWS
North Dakota's Legislature meets for only 60 days, once every two
years in Bismarck. The current session is dominating the news
right now. Republicans hold the House and the Democrats hold the
Senate by a one-vote margin.
The state faces a serious budget shortfall, and the Legislature
is struggling with funding for human services, public education,
and health care. Aid to local city governments is likely to be
cut and with respect to funding, faces the same relationship
between state and city governments nationwide.
Specifically, the state may drop optional Medicaid packages and
other optional services such as optometry, prescription payments,
and dental care. About 200 people -- many of them elderly and
handicapped -- recently rallied at the state capitol to protest
against the cuts. The state hopes to save as much as $2 million
by dropping such services.
North Dakota prides itself on setting extremely high standards
for public education. Students in the state consistently have
one of the lowest drop-out rates in the nation, and score well on
national tests. However, many young people leave the state after
school to seek economic opportunities elsewhere.
The other big story in the state is Larry villella, the 14-year-
old boy from Fargo that sent you a $1,000 check to help lower the
deficit. After speaking with you from Air Force One, Larry
appeared on all three network morning shows, flew to New York for
a taping on Donahue, and conducted more than 90 radio interviews.
Sending the money sparked others to do the same -- a 92-year old
man sent a check for $1,000, the day after Larry sent his, and
many others around the country are doing the same. Late last
week, there was still no word whether or not the money could be
legally applied directly to the deficit.
POTENTIAL QUESTIONS
AGRICULTURE: There is a growing consensus that while North
Dakota is willing to do its part to achieve deficit reduction,
agriculture is being asked to shoulder an unfair burden,
especially since deep cuts were made in the agriculture budget
during the 1990 "budget summit," without any real deficit
reduction being achieved.
The problematic agriculture cuts for North Dakota include:
--the increase in unpaid acres
--cuts in crop insurance
--cuts in the Rural Electrification Administration
--cuts in the 0-92 program
--elimination of the honey program. (North and South Dakota
are consistently the top two honey-producing states.)
On the bright side, if the President's plan brings down interest
rates even more, it will be a real boon to the farm economy.
Farmers in the state hold $3.6 billion in loans: if the interest
rate drops one percentage point, that's $36 million back in the
economy. The small business incentives help agriculture as well.
ENERGY TAX
The energy tax is the most important issue now to the thousands
of farmers across the state. Like many western and northern
plains states, an energy tax will hit North Dakota hard. The
state produces large quantities of oil, coal, and natural gas.
Coal is used to help export electricity and farmers use enormous
amounts of fuel to run their farms. Additionally, people must
drive long distances due to the geography of the state. Finally,
the cold weather in the state makes energy usage even higher.
Some estimates in the state say your proposed energy tax could
cost the average farmer as much as $1,000 per year. However,
Senator Conrad has said the energy tax would cost an average
family of three $350 more per year. However, farmers realize that
a BTU tax is a far more equitable tax for our state than a carbon
tax would have been.
Perhaps the biggest concern related to energy comes from The
Great Plains Coal Gasification plant north of Beulah. This plant,
which employs about 750 people, produces synthetic natural gas
from coal, and the company and its workers fear that the proposed
energy tax would produce a "double whammy" because they would be
taxed on the coal coming in, and the gas coming out.
The plant is a one-of-a-kind facility -- one of perhaps the only
commercial coal gasification plants in the nation -- and there is
great hope in the state that as your plan moves through Congress,
you might make a some sort of loophole so they would not be taxed
twice. Residents fear that the double tax could mean that plant
would have to close, people would lose their jobs, and the
economy in the surrounding community would greatly suffer.
HEALTH CARE
Rural health care is on the minds of many of the rural residents.
The issue was prevalent during the campaign and it has not gone
away, especially on the family farm. The farmers that have to go
great distances for medical care are especially anxious to hear
what they might get out of a revamped health care system. The
radio stations will likely ask how the Health Care Task Force is
coming along and how rural farmers might benefit from it.
TRADE
North Dakota produces 90 percent of the nation's durum wheat
(used to make pasta). The Canadian Free Trade Agreement has
allowed Canadian durum to flood across the border, causing real
problems for the North Dakota farm economy and has consequently
given a poor impression of the North American Free Trade
Agreement to state residents. GATT is unpopular for the same
reasons.
NAFTA is also a concern for the state's sugar industry, which
might be destroyed if NAFTA allows Mexico to start exporting
sugar into the U.S.
EDUCATION
Proposed cuts in federal impact aid at public high schools will
effect schools around the state. It is reported that your plan
for phasing out aid to local school districts for students whose
parents are federal employees would effect some 650 students in
Grand Forks and would similarly effect other cities in the state.
GOOD NEWS
--INCOME TAXES: North Dakota is a low-income state.
Estimates show that 70 percent of North Dakota families fall
below the $30,000 per-year cutoff for income tax increases.
--SMALL BUSINESS: There is no large-scale industry in North
Dakota, so small business is their best hope for economic
diversity and growth. The investment tax credit would be a real
boon to the state, and any initiatives to boost the
entrepreneurial spirit of small business in rural America will
help -- but NOT at the expense of the health of the agricultural
sector.
-SECRETARY ESPY: Secretary Espy will be going to Sioux
Falls, South Dakota in March to attend a meeting of farmers to
discuss many of these issues.
-- EDITORIAL: An editorial in the Grand Forks newspaper
offered the headline, "President's Plan is Complex and Fair." The
editorial was published two days after your speech to the
Congress and was generally supportive.
(North Dakota brief by Richard Strauss)
SOUTH DAKOTA
ENERGY PLAN
You should expect a question on ethanol. There is a lot of
concern about whether or not ethanol will be exempt from the
energy tax. You should know that Senators Daschle, Harkin,
Wellstone, Conrad, Simon, Mosley-Braun, Dorgan, Exon and Kohl
wrote a letter to Secretary Bentsen this week urging an ethanol
exemption. Senator Wellstone has been particularly outspoken on
this issue. He believes that including ethanol in a category
with coal and oil is "a blatant inconsistency. We're going to
fight it hard. Right is on our side. Now we have to make sure
right is prevailed". Midwesterners feel ethanol should have the
same exemption as solar, wind and geothermal energy.
Republican Senator Pressler's spin that the Administration is
"beating up on farmers, and South Dakota is being hit with a
triple whammy -- anyone who drives a truck or a tractor will be
hurt by the plan", has been getting a lot of play.
Pressler also said the energy tax would cost an extra $1,600
annually per farm and add $400 for home heating fuel users, and
said rural electricity rates could rise 15 percent.
Daschle has been very supportive. His answer to ethanol has been
right on message "We have to govern and put our special interests
aside. Nothing has been decided on ethanol yet, there is hope
for a compromise".
GENERAL BACKGROUND
South Dakota is behind other states in the corn belt when it
comes to agriculture processing and ethanol production. South
Dakota processes less than one percent of the corn they raise,
while some of their key competitors in the corn belt process 1/3
of their state grown corn. South Dakota has to ship their corn
500 miles more than a state like Kansas, because South Dakota is
on the fringe, and far away from markets. Since South Dakota has
to ship their products so far, the profits go back to the farmer
with a reduced price per bushel of corn.
Rather than send corn out to be processed, the people of South
Dakota would like to create jobs instate. They want to process
their goods in the state and bring jobs to South Dakota. When
corn is processed in state, it will cause the price to go up 10
cents per bushel.
STATE ECONOMY
South Dakota's unemployment in January increased to 4.3%, up from
3 percent in December. One year ago in January, the unemployment
rate was 3.7. Non-farm wage and salaried employment dropped 5500
jobs from December to January. There was an 11.1 percent drop in
the construction sector, retail trade employment fell 3.9 percent
and government employment slipped 1.8 percent.
Sioux Falls had 3.1 percent unemployment in January, compared to
2.8 percent a month earlier and 2.8 percent a year earlier.
Unemployment in Rapid City was 4.9 percent, compared to 2.9
percent in December and 3.9 percent in January 1991.
Non-farm employment accounts for 85 percent of all jobs with
weekly earnings averaging $368.54. Most of the jobs in South
Dakota are dependant upon the Agriculture industry.
While South Dakota has a relatively low unemployment rate, the
jobs are low wage. South Dakota has the lowest average annual
paycheck than any other state in the country.
HEALTH CARE
Health care is a big deal in this state. Some rural hospitals in
South Dakota face closure if they do not receive more money from
the legislature. If many of these hospitals close down, the
people they serve will have to travel over 50 miles to get to
another hospital.
Governor Mickelson introduced a health care plan aimed at
containing costs and extending coverage to the uninsured.
His package calls for:
*Managing patient health care and competition to help hold down
costs.
*Enact insurance reforms to provide coverage to the 7 to 9
percent of the state population who have no insurance, and
require insurance companies to provide coverage regardless of
health problems.
*Trim administrative costs with a standardized health insurance
claim form and electronic filing system.
*Patient identification system to help determine who is eligible
for coverage and public assistance.
*20 percent cap on the amount by which rates can vary, and have
insurers base rates on the health care risks of South Dakota as a
whole.
The South Dakota House of Representatives approved the reform
plan for health insurance last week. South Dakota democrats feel
this is a band-aid solution, and does not take the place of a
national health care plan. You should know that Governor
Mickelson has been very complimentary of your initiatives on
health care reform. Mickelson is co-chairman of the NGA task
force on health care, and helped draft a similar plan that the
NGA submitted during their recent visit.
INFRASTRUCTURE / WATER DEVELOPMENT
Water development is a big issue in South Dakota. The state has
to rely on ground water, which is a particular problem in the
western part of the state. Indian reservations, ranches and
small towns in the western part of the state have to depend on
substandard ground water.
Mickelson has implied in the newspapers that you will dump a load
of money into South Dakota to fund this and other infrastructure
developments.
OTHER ISSUES
*Kevin Costner and brother Dan are building a $95 million resort
and casino in Deadwood, South Dakota. Recently a bill that would
have raised bet limits and allowed more games in Deadwood casinos
was rejected by the South Dakota Senate. The Senate will
reconsider it.
*The plan's proposal to end honey subsidies could put more than
half of South Dakota's beekeepers out of work. While the
proposal has been criticized, there are a limited number of honey
producers. General support for the program come from the
standpoint of benefits from pollination. Honey producers will
tell you privately that if restrictions were placed on imported
honey they would need the program.
*Abortion: A Senate committee defeated bills to restrict
abortions Friday but the full Senate may vote on the bills next
week. These bills would require a waiting period, parental
notification and a ban on using tissue from voluntary abortions
for medical purposes.
*In Rapid City, there is concern at Ellsworth Air Force base over
the defense cuts. The B2 bomber is made there and people are
concerned about whether or not defense cuts will hit the B2 right
away. Several thousand people would be affected by a decision on
the B2.
*Secretary Espy will be in South Dakota next Friday to Monday for
the National Farmers Convention.
(South Dakota brief by Lisa Mortman)
2/28 WASH POST p.4
Clinton Cuts Weighted Against Farmers,
Agriculture Supporters Urge Administration to
Lobbyists Say
Spread Spending Reductions More Evenly
P.I
By William Claiborne
Rep. Charles W. Stenholm (D-
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tex.), a farmer and chairman of the
House Agriculture subcommittee
Facing $8 billion in federal spend-
on livestock, dairy and poultry, es-
ing cuts and additional user fees
limated that although agriculture
over the next four years, farm-state
accounts for only 1.8 percent of
lawmakers and agriculture lobbyists
lomestic spending, it will shoulder
say they will learn to live with the
.4 percent of the cuts over the
broad outlines of President Clin-
text four years, ending up 10 per-
ton's deficit-reduction plan, al-
tent below its current spending lev-
though they believe they are shoul-
1.
dering an undue share of the pro-
However; he said, only $636 mil+>
posed spending cuts.
on of the $17.6 billion in the stim-
The farm advocates are urging
lus package and $1.5 billion of the
the administration to consider
spreading the cuts more evenly in
all areas of federal spending, includ-
ing entitlements. They also plan to
push for a closer examination of the
impact of the proposed energy tax,
$99 billion of new spending in the
which they say could add $600 mil-
investment package are in the ag-
lion in operating costs to farmers,
riculture sector.
who rank fifth among all user cat-
Farm lobbyists said that absorb-
ing more than three times more
dgories in per capita consumption of
cuts-in terms of percentage of
energy.
budget-than any other domestic
"Most producers recognize the
sector of the federal government
beneficial. impact. of deficit. reduc-
would be more palatable were it not
tion on farmers as well' as every-
for the bitter memory of record
Body else, and we are willing to do
commodity program cuts in 1989.-
what needs to be done as long as
After reaching a high of $26 bil-
others assume their fair share of
lion in 1987, following a debilitating
the burden, too," said Grant Bun-
drought, commodity program
trock, director of the National
spending plunged to $14 billion two
Farmers Organization.
years later, putting farmers under
"When we think what could have
financial strains from which many
appened," Buntrock said, "frankly
are still trying to recover, spokes-
men for farm support groups said.
we were relieved. But the fact is,
"Since 1982, agriculture has
reportionally we're taking the
been a part of every deficit-reduc-
liggest cut of any part of the bud-
tion package. Agriculture has taken
get."
its fair share of cuts, while many
Clinton's proposal seeks to cut
other areas of federal spending
$3.8 billion from programs that
have gone untouched," said Dean
protect and subsidize the incomes
Kleckner, president of the Amer-
of major commodity producers,
ican Farm Bureau Federation.
trim $2 billion from the $10 billion
During a trip to his home state of
annual cost of farm subsidies, and
Mississippi and to Louisana and
ave $1.03 billion over four years
Texas to promote the Clinton eco-
reducing the amount of acreage
eligible for crop subsidies- for
wheat, feed grains, rice and cot-
on.
p.z
nomic plan, Agriculture Secretary
Durbin, who grew up in cities, is
Mike Espy repeatedly stressed that
considered by some legislative an-
agriculture had escaped relatively
alysts as likely to switch the sub-
unscathed from the spending cuts,
committee's focus from traditional
largely because the administration
subsidy and other farm income sup-
did not want to weaken its negoti-
port issues to food stamp and nu-
ating position with the heavily sub-
trition programs for poor families,
sidized European producers during
as well as environmental issues.
the talks for a General Agreement
Among the most contentious
on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and
cost-saving agriculture proposals
the North American Free Trade
that Congress will consider:
Agreement.
Increasing user fees for meat and
Staff members on the key agri-
poultry inspection, a proposal that
culture committees that will con-
has been made before and has failed
sider Clinton's farm proposals pre-
in Congress. It would save $59 mil-
dicted that the administration's $8
lion.
billion target for spending cuts will
Increasing from 15 percent to 25
survive relatively intact, but that
percent the amount of so-called tri-
the mix of program slashes and sub-
ple-base acreage on which a farmer
sidy reductions will look different
will be. unable to qualify for crop
than it does now.
deficiency payments for certain
A pivotal figure in deciding what
commodities. The proposal would
the cuts will look like is Rep. Rich-
result in substantial losses. of in-
ard J. Durbin (D-III.), who recently
come for thousands of farmers. It
became head of the Appropriations
would save more than $1 billion
subcommittee on rural develop-
over five years.
ment, agriculture and related agen-
Reducing the Rural Electrifica-
cies, which oversees more than $60
tion Administration's loan subsidies
billion in crop subsidies, food. pro-
by raising interest rates from as low
grams and market regulations.
2 percent to the normal Treas-
ury Department interest rate,
destroy the incentive for keeping
which now is nearly 7 percent. This
bees that are used for pollinating
would save $374 million by 1997.
almonds, blueberries, alfalfa and
Congressional farm experts said
other crops. This would save $32
it would undermine the Clinton ad-
million over five years.
ministration's planned $1.5 billion
Curtailing subsidy payments to
rural development initiative.
farmers who provide wool and mo-
"What's the point of trying to bring
hair, a program adopted in 1954 to
new business to an area where
ensure a strategic reserve of wool
you're hurting investment," said
for soldiers' uniforms at time of
one agriculture subcommittee aide.
war. This would save $212 million.
Eliminating fertilizer research
Ending government subsidies for
conducted by the Tennessee Valley
farmers who make more than
Authority. The TVA has long been
$100,000 annually in non-farm in-
considered a politically sacred bud-
come. Buntrock said this proposal
get item, and some congressional
would, in effect, turn a commodity
analysts said the spending proposal
price support system into a "means-
is unlikely ever to be enacted. It
tested" welfare system, a notion he
would save $188 million.
said is certain to be opposed even
Eliminating subsidies to honey
by farmers whose non-farm in-
producers, which congressional
comes are below the $100,000
critics said would end a 40-year
threshold. This would save $470
windfall for beekeepers but also
million
RURAL AMERICA
Rural America is the forgotten foundation of our country. The
steadfast commitment of rural Americans to family and to
community are the bedrock upon which America was founded, and
through which America can prosper. The President's plan
recognizes the economic needs of rural America, and provides a
specific program to revitalize rural communities.
The President's program will invest $17 billion of new program
dollars, including:
investing in rural infrastructure by providing $871
million in loans and grants for rural water and
wastewater projects;
incentives to boost investment in rural hospitals and
other community facilities;
the creation of thousands of jobs through $2.4 billion
in business and housing loans and grants for rural
development;
funds for Forestry Research to improve domestic
ecosystem management, and millions more to increase
tree planting in rural areas.
$188 million for enhanced natural resource protection
and environmental infrastructure.
Rural America is asked to participate in the bold changes that
the President is bringing about by bearing a fair share of the
burdens. In so doing, however, the plan recognizes the limited
resources available in rural areas:
Total cuts in agricultural price supports are limited
to $0.1 billion in 1994 and $3.8 billion through 1997.
Farm payments will be directed to family farmers by
eliminating CCC payments to individuals making more
than $100,000 of off farm income a year.
The President's plan does not affect target prices or
agricultural loan rates.
For the most part, deficit reduction proposals for
agricultural programs merely build on proposals
contained in the 1990 farm bill.
There will be no disproportionate regional impact.
REA loans will be made at Treasury rates, while
preserving $25 million each year for needy electric
borrowers.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
MARCH 1, 1993
NATIONAL SERVICE RECEPTION
DATE:
March 1, 1993
LOCATION:
Holding Room
TIME:
3:15 - 3:45
From:
Reta Lewis, Special
Assistant, Political
Affairs
I. PURPOSE
You will attend a 30 minute meet and greet reception for
approximately 60 state and local elected officials, Rutgers
University and US Congress representatives at a reception
following your address at Rutgers University.
II. BACKGROUND
This reception will follow your speech on National Service
and will include US Senators and Congressmen who strongly
support your National Service initiatives, as well as,
Rutgers University representatives and New Jersey elected
officials.
III. PARTICIPANTS
See attached National Service Reception participants list.
IV. PRESS PLAN
Closed press.
V. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
*
You will proceed to the reception room. Gov. Florio
will make brief comments and introduce you. You should
make brief informal comments and then meet and greet
for about 20-25 minutes.
*
After the reception you will take 6 quick photographs
with the Chief of Police and other law enforcement
officials.
*
You will proceed to the motorcade and depart for Newark
International.
VI. REMARKS
None required.
NATIONAL SERVICE RECEPTION
National Officials
Governor Jim Florio (D-NJ)
Former Governor Tom Kean (R-NJ)
Senator Bill Bradley (D-NJ)
Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) - has not confirmed
Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) & Vicki Kennedy
Senator Claiborne Pell (D-RI)
Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV)
Senator Harris Wofford (D-PA) & Mrs. Claire Wofford
Rep. Cass Ballenger (R-NC) - has not confirmed
Rep. Bill Ford (D-MI)
Rep. Herbert Klein (D-NJ)
Rep. Major Owens (D-NY) - has not confirmed
Rep. Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ)
Rep. Dave McCurdy (D-OK)
Sargent Shriver, Peace Corps Founder
New Jersey Officials
Mayor James Cahill, New Brunswick, NJ
Mayor Ted Light, Piscataway, NJ
Mayor Aaron Thompson, Camden, NJ
Mayor Susan Bass Levin, Cherry Hill, NJ
Mayor Douglas Palmer, Trenton, NJ
Mayor Cardell Cooper, East Orange, NJ
Mayor Sharpe James, Newark, NJ
Mayor Michael Steele, Irvington, NJ
Assemblyman John Watson, Trenton, NJ
County Executive Robert Janiszewski,
Hudson, NJ
Assemblyman Jerry Green, Plainfield, NJ
Assemblyman Bob Smith, Piscataway, NJ
Councilman Donald Tucker, Newark, NJ
Senator John Lynch(Minority Leader),
Middlesex County
Delegate Joe Doria(Minority Leader),
Hudson County
Senator Wayne Bryant, Camden, NJ
Senator Wynona Lipman, Essex County
Democratic Party Officials
Ray Lezniak, Party Chair
Mary Lee Fitzgerald, New Jersey State Commissioner of Education
Ed Goldberg, New Jersey State Chancellor of Higher Education
Clay Constantinou, Deputy Treasurer of the DNC and was New Jersey Finance
Director for Clinton/Gore
Florence Thomases, Mother of Susan Thomases and assisted with women's coalition
bus tour
Ronnie Liebowitz, Former Counsel to Rutgers University
Bob Raymer, Classmate of Mrs. Clinton's from Yale Law School
June Fisher, Member of the DNC Eastern Caucus
Harry Pozycki, Middlesex County Democratic Chair
Charlie Marciante, Republican President of the New Jersey AFL-CIO
Karen Kessler, Finance member and fundraiser for Gov. Florio
Louis Katz, Florio financial chair and finance member
Allan Sagner, Former Chairman of the NY/NJ Port Authority
Clive Cummis, Finance member and fundraiser
Al DeCotiis, Finance member and fundraiser
Arthur Goldberg, Finance member, fundraiser and Chairman of Bally's Casino in
Atlantic City
Ken Pentony, Friend of yours from Georgetown and a finance member
Jackie Thomas, Young African-American woman who raised money from the professional
community
Joe Salema, Governor Florio's Chief of Staff
Jamie Fox, Executive Director of Florio's exploration committee
Betty Hutcheon, Friend of the First Lady's and co-coordinated the women's campaign
in New Jersey
Edith Payne, Co-coordinated the women's campaign in New Jersey
Lenore Miller, President of the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union
Bob Deltufo, State Attorney General
William Waldman, New Jersey Commissioner of Health
Harold Hodes, Close friend of Paul Tulley's
Richard Gannon, Office of Presidential Personnel and was the New Jersey Clinton/Gore
State Director
Richard Lerner, New Jersey Finance Director and is in the Office of Presidential Personnel
Jane Moore, Her husband was one of your roommates at Georgetown
and was in the School of Foreign Service with you
Steve Oxman, Appointed to be the Assistant Secretary to Europe
State and National Service Councils
Cynthia Daniels, Rutgers Professor who has worked closely with the National Service Office
Toni Schniegelow, Executive Director of the City Volunteer Corps in New York City
John Briscoe, Executive Director of PennServe
Lynn Keepers, Executive Director of the New Jersey Service Corps
Carolyn Angiolillo, Executive Director of the Urban Conservation Corps of New York City
Marlene Mazyck, Executive Director of the Youth Corps of Newark
Don Mathis, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Conservation Corps
Tony Fairbanks, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Youth Service Corps
Rutgers University Officials
Mr. and Mrs. Frances Lawrence, President of Rutgers University
Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Rockoff, Chair of the Board of Governors
Carl Holstrom, Vice Chair of the Board of Governors
Richard Lavao, Chair of the Board of Trustees
Mildred Edwards, Vice President for Public Affairs and Development
Joseph Whiteside, Senior Vice President and Treasurer
Nancy Lotostein, Member of the Board of Governors
Mrs. Keiko Harvey, Member of the Board of Governors
Gene Heller, Member of the Board of Governors
Nancy Lane, Member of the Board of Governors
Michael Tuosto, Member of the Board of Governors
Anthony Cicatiello, Member of the Board of Governors
Kevin Collins, Member of the Board of Governors
Jeanne Fox, Member of the Board of Trustees
Dean Paranicus, Member of the Board of Trustees
Angelo Genova, Member of the Board of Trustees
NATIONAL SERVICE RECEPTION
Governor Jim Florio (D-NJ)
Florio is currently Governor of New Jersey. He is up for re-election in 1994.
Former Governor Tom Kean (R-NJ)
Kean is Florio's immediate predecessor. He is currently President of Drew
University.
Senator Bill Bradley (D-NJ)
Bradley sits on the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources; the Senate
Committee on Finance and the Senate Special Committee on Aging. He is a recent
convert to the line item veto.
Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT)
Dodd serves on the Senate Committee on the Budget; the Senate Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations;
the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources; and the Senate Committee
on Rules and Administration. Dodd was a sponsor of the 1990 National Community
Service Act and frequently speaks on this subject. He was a Peace Corps volunteer
and served two years in the Dominican Republic.
Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA)
Kennedy is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
He also serves on the Senate Committee on the Judiciary; the Senate Committee on
Armed Services; and the Joint Economic Committee. He is involved in all service-
related legislation. He wants to ensure that Pell Grants and other low-income
programs are not disrupted by new service legislation. His wife, Vicki is also in
attendance.
Senator Claiborne Pell (D-RI)
Pell is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. He also sits on the
Senate Committee for Labor and Human Resources and the Senate Committee on
Rules and Administration. He is also Chair of the Subcommittee on Education, Arts
and the Humanities.
Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV)
Rockefeller serves on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation; the Senate Committee on Finance; and the Senate Committee on
Veterans' Affairs. His interest in national service stems from his days as a VISTA
volunteer and Peace Corps headquarters staff person. He is also very interested in
children and health issues.
Senator Harris Wofford (D-PA)
Having served as President Kennedy's civil rights advisor and a founding staff
director of the Peace Corps, Wofford's support for National Service represents his
long-standing dedication to this cause. He serves on the Senate Committee on
Environment and Public Works; the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations; and
the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources. His wife, Claire is also in
attendance.
Rep. Cass Ballenger (R-NC)
Ballenger is the ranking Republican member of the Select Education and Civil
Rights Subcommittee of the House Committee on Education and Labor which has
jurisdiction over National Service. Ballenger represents the 10th district of North
Carolina, much of which lies within the Smokie mountains.
Rep. Bill Ford (D-MI)
Ford is the Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor. Ford
continues to be very helpful in promoting your economic plan, including waiving
jurisdiction for supplemental appropriations. He is vital to the passage of the
National Service legislation. His principle education interests are student loans and
Pell grant programs. As a graduate of a vocational training school, he is deeply
committed to vocational education.
Rep. Herbert Klein (D-NJ)
Klein is a new member of Congress, representing New Jersey's northern 8th District.
Klein is a graduate of Rutgers University and serves on their Board of Trustees.
Rep. Major Owens (D-NY)
Owens is the Chairman of the Select Education and Civil Rights Subcommittee of
the House Committee on Education and Labor, which has jurisdiction over National
Service. Owens represents the Brooklyn area of New York City.
Rep. Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
Menendez is a new member of Congress, representing the newly drawn and largely
Hispanic 13th district. Menendez is the son of Cuban immigrants and is a loyal
Democrat. He is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law.
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
Pallone represents the 6th district of New Jersey, in which Piscataway and Rutgers
University is located. Pallone has decided he will support the economic plan.
Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ)
Payne represents the 10th district of New Jersey and also serves on the House
Committee on Education and Labor. Payne is the Vice-Chairman of the
Subcommittee with jurisdiction over National Service.
Rep. Dave McCurdy (D-OK)
McCurdy has been a strong supporter of National Service through the DLC. This
week, McCurdy voted against the extension of unemployment benefits on the floor
of the House. The original McCurdy National Service Plan would have eliminated
current higher education programs.
Sargent Shriver, Peace Corps Founder
Shriver was the founding director of the Peace Corps under President Kennedy. He
also was Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity under President Johnson.
Mayor James Cahill, New Brunswick, NJ
Cahill was extremely helpful to the Clinton/Gore campaign. He found the location
for the state headquarters and obtained parking spots for the staff. He also used two
floors of his law office as a dormitory for campaign staffers.
Mayor Ted Light, Piscataway, NJ
Light was a Clinton/Gore supporter. Rutgers University is located in Piscataway.
Mayor Aaron Thompson, Camden, NJ
Thompson was a Clinton/Gore supporter. Camden was the starting location for the
first bus tour.
Mayor Susan Bass Levin, Cherry Hill, NJ
Levin was a strong supporter of the Clinton/Gore campaign. She is a potential
Assemblywoman candidate.
Mayor Douglas Palmer, Trenton, NJ
Palmer was a Clinton/Gore campaign supporter.
Mayor Cardell Cooper, East Orange, NJ
Cooper was a Clinton/Gore campaign supporter. He is very close to Governor
Florio.
Mayor Sharpe James, Newark, NJ
James was a strong Clinton/Gore supporter. He loaned several members of his staff
to the Clinton/Gore campaign. He was an honorary Co-chair of Clinton/Gore New
Jersey. Also, he is the first Vice President of the National League of Cities.
Mayor Michael Steele, Irvington, NJ
Steele supported the Clinton/Gore campaign.
Assemblyman John Watson, Trenton, NJ
Watson was a Clinton/Gore supporter. He is a potential contender, along with
former Democratic State Senator Stockman, for the State Senate.
County Executive Robert Janiszewski, Hudson, NJ
Janiszewski was Chairman of the Clinton/Gore NJ campaign. He is a DNC member
and the Hudson County Executive. He served as whip and delegate for you at the
Democratic National Convention.
Assemblyman Jerry Green, Plainfield, NJ
Green was a Clinton/Gore campaign supporter.
Assemblyman Bob Smith, Piscataway, NJ
Smith was a Clinton/Gore campaign supporter.
Councilman Donald Tucker, Newark, NJ
Tucker was a Clinton/Gore supporter. He served as State President of the Black
Issues Convention which Gore visited.
Senator John Lynch, Middlesex County
Lynch is the State Senate Minority Leader. He was a potential gubernatorial
candidate, although it appears he has decided not to run due to financial problems.
He is the former Mayor of New Brunswick.
Delegate Joe Doria, Hudson County
Doria is the State House Minority Leader. He obtained 40 buses on election day as
an in-kind contribution to the coordinated campaign.
Senator Wayne Bryant, Camden, NJ
Bryant is an African American State Senator from Camden County. He is the
sponsor of the welfare reform bill being considered by the New Jersey General
Assembly. This proposal has received considerable attention. He was a Transition
Advisor representing New Jersey.
Senator Wynona Lipman, Essex County
Lipman is the only female African American State Senator. She served as a
Transition Advisor representing New Jersey. She played a key role in registering
voters for the state.
Ray Lezniak, Party Chair
Lezniak is the New Jersey Democratic State Chair and a State Senator.
Mary Lee Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald was recently appointed the New Jersey State Commissioner of Education.
Ed Goldberg
Goldberg was recently appointed New Jersey State Chancellor of Higher Education.
Clay Constantinou
Constantinou was the New Jersey Finance Director for the Clinton/Gore campaign,
raising over $4 million. He is Deputy Treasurer of the DNC.
Florence Thomases
Thomases is the mother of Susan Thomases. She assisted with the women's coalition
bus tour.
Ronnie Liebowitz
Liebowitz is a friend of yours and a financial contributor to the campaign and party.
She is former General Counsel to Rutgers University. She is married to Bob
Raymar.
Bob Raymar
Raymar is a friend of the Clintons and a financial contributor. He was a classmate
of Mrs. Clinton's at Yale Law School. He is married to Ronnie Liebowitz.
June Fisher
Fisher is a member of the DNC Eastern Caucus.
Harry Pozycki
Pozycki is the Middlesex County Democratic Chair.
Charlie Marciante
Marciante is the Republican President of the New Jersey AFL-CIO.
Karen Kessler
Kessler is a finance member and fundraiser for Florio.
Louis Katz
Katz is a finance member and Florio's financial chair.
Allan Sagner
Sagner is a finance member, large contributor and fundraiser for Clinton/Gore. He
is the former Chairman of the New York-New Jersey Port Authority.
Clive Cummis
Cummis is a finance member and fundraiser.
Al DeCotiis
DeCotiis is a finance member and fundraiser.
Arthur Goldberg
Goldberg is a finance member and fundraiser. He is Chairman of Bally's Casino in
Atlantic City.
Ken Pentony
Pentony is a friend of yours from Georgetown. He is a finance member and
fundraiser.
Jackie Thomas
Thomas is a young African-American woman who raised money from the young
professional community. She was also part of the women's coalition.
Joe Salema
Salema is Governor Florio's Chief of Staff.
Jamie Fox
Fox is Executive Director of Florio's exploration committee. He donated half of his
office building for GOTV efforts.
Betty Hutcheon
Hutcheon is a friend of the First Lady and co-coordinated the women's campaign in
New Jersey.
Edith Payne
Payne co-coordinated the women's campaign for New Jesey.
Lenore Miller
Miller is President of the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union
(RWDSU). She is the only female president of an international union. She was an
early Clinton supporter and Clinton delegate to the Democratic National Convention.
RWDSU was one of the first unions to support you. She is a Rutgers Trustee.
Bob Deltufo
Deltufo is the State Attorney General and was previously considered for the Deputy
Attorney General or Associate Attorney General positions within your
Administration.
William Waldman
Waldman is the New Jersey Commissioner of Health and served previously as
Deputy Commissioner.
Harold Hodes
Hodes was a very close friend of Paul Tully's. He ran New York state with Paul for
Dukakis in 1988.
Richard Gannon
Gannon is currently in the Office of Presidential Personnel. Gannon was the NJ
Clinton/Gore State Director.
Richard Lerner
Lerner is the New Jersey Finance Director and is also currently in the Office of
Presidential Personnel.
Jane Moore, her husband was one of your original roomates at Georgetown.
Her husband was in the school of Foreign Service with you.
Steve Oxman, Appointed Assistant Secretary to Europe.
Cynthia Daniels
Daniels is a Rutgers University Professor. She has worked very closely with the
White House National Service office.
Toni Schniegelow
Schniegelow is the Executive Director of the City Volunteer Corps in New York City.
John Briscoe
Briscoe is the Executive Director of PennServe.
Lynn Keepers
Keepers is the Executive Director of the NJ Service Corps.
Carolyn Angiolillo
Angiolillo is the Executive Director of the Urban Conservation Corps of New York.
Marlene Mazyck
Mazyck is the Executive Director of the Youth Corps of Newark.
Don Mathis
Mathis is the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Conservation Corps.
Tony Fairbanks
Fairbanks is the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Youth Service Corps.
Mr. and Mrs. Frances Lawrence, President of Rutgers University
Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Rockoff, Chair of the Board of Governors
Carl Holstrom, Vice Chair of the Board of Governors
Richard Lavao, Chair of the Board of Trustees
Mildred Edwards, Vice President for Public Affairs and
Development
Joseph Whiteside, Senior Vice President and Treasurer
Nancy Lotostein, Member of the Board of Governors
Mrs. Keiko Harvey, Member of the Board of Governors
Gene Heller, Member of the Board of Governors
Nancy Lane, Member of the Board of Governors
Michael Tuosto, Member of the Board of Governors
Anthony Cicatiello, Member of the Board of Governors
Kevin Collins, Member of the Board of Governors
Jeanne Fox, Member of the Board of Trustees
Dean Paranicus, Member of the Board of Trustees
Angelo Genova, Member of the Board of Trustees
MONDAY, MARCH 1, 1993
MEMORANDUM TO THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
Reta J. Lewis
Special Assistant to the President
Political Affairs
RE:
Political Briefing - New Jersey
1992 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS
Middlesex County
New Jersey
Clinton
45.2%
42.9%
Bush
38.1%
41.2%
Perot
16.0%
15.9%
RECENT CABINET VISITS
On February 16, 1993, Energy Secretary Hazel O'Leary was in
Somerville, New Jersey (NJ) to stump for the economic program.
Secretary O'Leary visited the Somerville Elementary Schools
Science Center 2000, an interactive science learning program for
third, fourth and fifth graders. Additionally, Secretary O'Leary
met with the editorial board of the Somerville Courier-News.
PRESIDENTIAL VISITS TO RUTGERS
Former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford both visited
Rutgers after leaving office and George Bush last year landed his
helicopter at Rutgers enroute to an off-campus campaign
appearance. University officials said they could not recall the
last time a U.S. President visited campus while in office.
Richard McCormick, a retired professor who has written a history
of Rutgers, said Harry Truman visited New Brunswick while in
office in 1948 but not the campus.
NOTE: During the general election, Mrs. Clinton was the keynote
speaker for a GOTV rally held at Rutgers and over 4,000 students
attended. Additionally, on election day, 3,000 Rutgers
University students went door-to-door with the GOTV message
throughout the state.
POLITICAL OVERVIEW
New Jersey is the ninth most populous state in the nation.
Historically, NJ has not voted for a Democratic candidate for
President since 1964 -- except for this most recent election.
New Jersey was targeted by the Clinton/Gore campaign and you won
by a narrow victory.
The county you will be visiting, Middlesex, is located 20 miles
southwest of New York City and extending almost to Princeton.
Middlesex is home to large numbers of both older Reagan Democrats
and younger suburban Independent voters. This past September
1992, 69% of the county's voters said the economy is the "main
problem" the candidates should be addressing in the gubernatorial
campaign. Middlesex is an affluent county -- the median
household income is $48,760 -- it also suffers from an 8.1%
unemployment rate.
GUBERNATORIAL POLITICS
History: In 1989, Jim Florio was elected Governor (Gov.) of New
Jersey by a landslide. Soon after assuming office, the economic
situation for the state of NJ took a turn for the worse. Faced
with the problem of an increasing deficit, due to fewer taxes,
Gov. Florio raised taxes to help bring more revenue to balance
the state's deficit. This was an extremely unpopular decision
because Gov. Florio had promised not to raise taxes during his
gubernatorial campaign.
Although Gov. Florio was elected by a large margin in 1989 (he
received 61% of the vote and led a Democratic sweep of both
houses of the State Legislature), within two years the backlash
to his tax program led to a massive Republican victory. The
Republicans have a majority margin of 58 to 22 in the House and
27 to 13 in the Senate, a margin which enables the Republicans to
override any vetoes by the Governor (as evidenced by the recent
Assembly override of the ban on assault rifles -- see Walker's
Issue Briefing - crime and drugs).
"The Resurrection Kid": Governor Florio was considered
politically dead after a populist uproar over the 1990 tax hikes,
but he is now in a re-election bid that many have declared "a
toss-up". After imposing a $2.8 billion tax package, public
sentiment against Gov. Florio dropped his job approval rating in
the polls to 18%. Since then it has crept up to 36%.
But things are changing --- Florio has since teamed with GOP
leaders on health care reforms, school funding compromises, and
job-creation measures. He now calls himself the "resurrection
kid."
James Carville and Paul Begala are the strategists for Governor
Florio's re-election campaign.
Gubernatorial Race 1993: It does not appear that Gov. Florio
will face a Democratic challenger in the upcoming primary but he
does face a tough challenge by one of two formidable Republican
foes -- either Christine Todd-Whitmam or Cary Edwards.
Ms. Whitman is the daughter of former national Republican leader
Richard Todd. She served as Chairman of the Board of Public
Utilities for several years during the Kean Administration after
a stint as a Somerset County Freeholder (a county elected
official). Whitman gained notoriety in her campaign against
Senator Bill Bradley in 1990 where the results turned out far
closer than anyone expected. She has been running for Governor
ever since.
Mr. Edward is a former Attorney General of the State (an
appointed office), and served as former Governor Thomas Kean's
Chief Counsel during his first term in office. Edwards now
practices law with the firm of Mudge Rose Guthrie Alexander and
Ferdon which specializes in bond work. His political base lies
in Bergen County, the wealthiest and most populous county in New
Jersey. He is a moderate Republican. He has recently revealed
that he had employed an illegal alien as a housekeeper. Brenda
Bacon, a senior advisor to Florio has also been hit by this
issue.
Whitman has been active in raising funds to help other
Republicans throughout the state. She comes from a very wealthy
family (millionaires) and lived on a large estate until recently.
She likewise has revealed she hired an illegal alien couple to
tend to the estate and to watch her children. Her political
philosophy was initially moderate, but she has recently attempted
to WOO the more conservative factions in the GOP.
Both Whitman and Edwards have attacked your Administration's
economic proposals as typical Democratic "tax and spend" plans,
reminiscent of the Florio tax increases in 1990.
Performance Polling: On Sunday, February 28, 1993, the Star-
Ledger/Eagleton Poll revealed that New Jersey residents were more
optimistic about their state and the positive job performance
ratings of elected state officials have increased. The
Governor's positive ratings increased 7 percentage points to 36
percent and the legislature increased 11 percentage points to a
28 percent positive rating points. However, half of the state's
residents do not think Gov. Florio deserves to be re-elected,
while about 4-of-10 say he merits a second term.
In the Star-Ledger poll, the first job performance rating for you
showed that 44 percent of New Jerseyans gave you positive
ratings. The Star Ledger poll only asked, "And, how would you
rate the job Bill Clinton is doing as President -- excellent,
good, only fair or poor?" the response was Excellent -- 15% 1
Good -- 29%, Only Fair -- 26%, Poor --18% and Don't Know -- 12%.
The Star-Ledger attributed the upbeat mood in the state's
Democrats to the Party's victory in the Presidential election
which increased their optimism about government and elected
officials.
NEW JERSEY'S REACTION TO PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ECONOMIC PLAN:
Polling: A poll released by the Asbury Park Press Home News on
February 21, 1993 revealed that New Jersey residents support the
higher taxes and spending included in your economic address but
oppose imposition of an energy tax. When asked, "if you take the
economic package as a whole, do you think Congress should pass
it," the response was: Yes -- 53%, No -- 38%, and Undecided/
Refused -- 9%.
Tax Bashing: The press over the last few days was anything but
positive. On Tuesday, February 23, 1993 two news conferences
were held bashing your economic plan. One was held by State
Senate President Donald T. DiFrancesco (R-Union) and Assembly
Speaker Chuck Haytaian (R-Warren). They said your proposed plan
would raise income taxes by $1.1 billion, energy taxes by $992
million when fully implemented by 1997 and corporate taxes by
$360 million.
However, the GOP numbers were disputed by the State Treasury
Department. The Department said that the projection of $1.1
billion increase in income taxes seemed too high. The Treasury
estimated that 150,000 households or 3% of the state's residents
would pay higher income taxes.
However, both sides agree on the cost of the new energy tax. By
1997, the tax would cost New Jerseyans $992 million or an average
of $273 a year. The gasoline tax would increase an average of
$73 per household.
Also, the Coalition Against Higher Taxes held a press conference,
attacking you for hiking taxes without seriously addressing
government waste. The coalition included: Hands Across New
Jersey, Hands'91, New Jersey Taxpayers Task Force, REVOLT,
Middlesex County Conservative Coalition, and Ross Perot's United
We Stand. The groups were formed during Florio's tax increase.
The coalition is chaired by Republican U.S. Congressman Dick
Zimmer of Hunterdon County.
Clinton/Florio Parallels: In recent political commentary around
the state, your first months in office and Gov. Florio's
(alleged) "no tax" promises on the campaign trail have been
parallelled to Florio's first months in office and the campaign
promises that he made regarding no new taxes.
There are differences between Gov. Florio's first term and yours.
The first is that the you announced your proposals to the nation
first, to gain public support. Gov. Florio failed to do so and
his actions were perceived as arrogant by people upset by his tax
increase.
The second difference is that even with a majority in both houses
of Congress, you still included Republicans in your briefings and
made them a part of the process. Gov. Florio, with a majority in
both houses of the Assembly, failed to include Republicans and
therefore was unable to ever gain their support.
You have publicly pointed out that you respect Gov. Florio's
courage in making tough choices, like raising taxes, to save his
economically failing state. However, not many people in New
Jersey would agree that what Florio did took courage.
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION:
New Jersey has 13 members in the House of Representatives, seven
Democrats and six Republicans. Both Senators are Democratic.
Senator Bill Bradley has served since 1979. Senator Bradley will
be joining you at the Adult Learning Center and for the speech at
Rutgers.
Senator Frank R. Lautenberg has served since 1983. Senator
Lautenberg is up for re-election in 1994. Because of a prior
commitment, Lautenberg will not be joining you in New Jersey. It
is rumored that former Republican Governor Thomas Kean might run
against Lautenberg.
NOTE: Former Governor Tom Kean will be attending the speech and
reception at Rutgers. Currently, Gov. Kean is President of Drew
University.
The members of the New Jersey Congressional Delegation are:
Rep. William J. Hughes (D)
Rep. Jim Saxton (R)
Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D)
Rep. Christopher H. Smith (D)
Rep. Robert C. Torricelli (D)
Rep. Marge Roukema (R)
Rep. Robert Menendez (D)
Rep. Bob Franks (R)
Rep. Robert E. Andrews (D)
Rep. Dean Gallo (R)
Rep. Herbert C. Klein (D)
Rep. Dick Zimmer (R)
Rep. Donald Payne (D)
Representative Pallone will be attending the Adult Learning
Center tour and speech at Rutgers. Congressman Pallone
represents the 6th district in which Rutgers University is
located. Pallone has decided that he would support your plan.
Representatives Payne, Menendez and Klein will be attending the
Rutgers speech and reception.
THE STATE LEGISLATURE:
There are 12 Democrats and 27 Republicans in the State Senate.
In the State House, there are 22 Democrats and 57 Republicans.
Republican Donald T. DiFrancesco is President of the State
Senate. Republican Garabed (Chuck) Haytaian is Speaker of the
General Assembly. (see previous discussion on Tax Bashing).
POLITICAL NOTES:
Empowerment: You appointed a task force comprised of senior
officials and cabinet secretaries to develop several of your
major domestic proposals, such as enterprise zones and community
banks. Gene Sperling, Deputy National Economic Council, and
Bruce Reed, Deputy Domestic Policy Advisor will lead the group.
In a similar move, Congressman Robert Andrews (D-NJ) and Curt
Weldon (R-PA) will chair a new Congressional Empowerment Caucus.
Other members of the Caucus include: Congressman Charlie Rangel
(D-NY) ; Joseph Knollenberg (R-MI) ; Tony Hall (D-OH) ; and Senator
Joseph Lieberman (D-CT).
Carville Remark. Former New Jersey Attorney General, Cary
Edwards (R), described James Carville's comment on the
composition of the Clinton Administration as "racially based
gratuitous" remark. He is referring to the following statement
made by Carville when he was asked about bringing Clinton
campaign aides into the White House, "It's like how many blacks
you played on the basketball team in Louisiana 20 years ago. The
rule was three at home, four on the road and five when you're
behind." This quote appeared in The Wall Street Journal and
Newsweek. Carville's response to Edwards comment was that his
remark was "complimentary and first told to him by blacks in
Louisiana." Governor Florio said he was unaware of Carville's
remarks and had no comment.
Special-Interest: The annual report by lobbyists of what gifts
they gave legislators came out last week and produced stories and
editorials of criticism for the gift giving (Gov. Florio signed
the law that required the disclosure). Additionally, the
national GOP convened in NJ last week and got beat up because the
event was lobbyist-financed. Also, this week Gov. Florio will
sign a campaign reform bill that for the first time places limits
on contributions to candidates for the Legislature. It isn't a
great bill, but Florio thinks it is a good first step.
MEMORANDUM
COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISERS
February 26, 1993
TO:
ALAN BLINDER
FROM:
MICHAEL KNETTER
&
SUBJECT: Talking Points on the New Jersey Economy
After an extended period of strong performance, the New
Jersey economy has fallen on tough times since 1989.
- The rise in New Jersey's unemployment rate was nearly 4
percentage points greater than the rise in the national
rate between the first quarter of 1989 and the third
quarter of 1992. The New Jersey unemployment rate rose
from a low of less than 4 percent to over 9 percent
during this period.
- Nonfarm payroll employment has fallen 3 years in a row.
In contrast, employment growth was only briefly
interrupted in 1982 during the previous recession.
Job losses have been huge in manufacturing and construction.
- Between 1989 and 1992, payroll employment declined by
285, 000--168, jobs were lost in manufacturing and
construction.
- Since 1989 NJ total payroll employment has fallen by 7.7
percent, manufacturing employment has fallen 17.0
percent, and construction employment has fallen by 36.1
percent. For comparison, in the United States as a
whole, total employment has been unchanged, manufacturing
employment has fallen 6.4 percent, and construction
employment has fallen 11.4 percent.
A study or the Clinton plan by Regional Financial Associates
shows NJ to be one of 14 States adversely affected.
- NJ will benefit from urban aid and transportation
programs in the short term. Manufacturing and technology
programs may help in the longer term.
- Adverse effects are due to the high-income earners in the
State who will face tax hikes and the dependence on oil
which is subject to the higher BTU tax.
cc: TO, DC, JK, BD
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
February 28, 1993
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
THOMAS KALIL (NEC)
SUBJECT:
IMPACT OF ECONOMIC PLAN ON NEW JERSEY
Four elements of the plan are particularly important: the
plan's impact on the pharmaceutical industry, the emphasis on
environmental technologies, higher taxes, and long-term investments
in infrastructure.
1. Pharmaceutical industry:
The pharmaceutical industry is a major employer in New Jersey,
and the industry feels that they are being unfairly "demonized" in
the debate on health care reform. On Friday, the Wall Street
Journal's editorial page ran a story on Dr. Roy Vagelos, the CEO of
the New Jersey-based Merck & Co. During the campaign, you stated
that Merck's policy on drug pricing "represents what we can do as
Americans if we set our minds to it." Now, however, Dr. Vagelos
feels betrayed by the Administration's criticism of the industry.
During the Little Rock Economic Conference, Vagelos had stated that
the problem on immunization for children was not the price of the
vaccine, but a break-down in the delivery system. Dr. Vagelos
thought that this analysis had been accepted, and was "shocked" by
the Administration's criticism of the industry -- which some
analysts claim is responsible for recent declines in drug company
stocks. Merck is running full-page ads in major newspapers
defending its policies.
On Thursday, the Office of Technology Assessment released a
report which confirmed many of the charges of industry critics:
*
Although the industry is R&D-intensive, it spends more on
advertising and promotion than on R&D.
*
Industry "excess profits" amount to $2 billion per year.
*
The "market for prescription drugs is broken", since
doctors and patients are often unaware of the prices of
the drugs they prescribed or took.
2. Environmental technologies:
-2-
In his January 1993 State of the State address, Governor
Florio proposed a seven point plan to turn New Jersey into a world
center for environmental technology. The plan includes: using a
portion of the state's $200 million Economic Recovery Fund to help
entrepreneurs develop and market environmental technology;
customized job training focused on environmental skills; tax
incentives; loans for exports; and the creation of the New Jersey
Corporation for Advanced Technology to help commercialize
government and academic research.
Environmental technology is a logical focus for New Jersey.
New Jersey has 113 Superfund sites, more than any other state.
Your plan contains $271 million in additional funds for
environmental technologies from FY 1994 to FY 1997.
3. Taxes on upper-income Americans
As one of the five wealthiest states, New Jersey will be hit
harder than most by the increases in the top rate. New Jersey
residents already feel overtaxed because of high property taxes,
the highly unpopular tax increases enacted by Governor Florio in
1990, and the high cost of living. New Jersey's Treasury
Department estimates that 150,000 households, or 3 percent of the
state's residents, would pay higher income taxes.
Despite opposition to the higher income and energy taxes, a
February 21st poll conducted by the Asbury Park Press found that
the majority of New Jersey residents supported the package as a
whole. When asked, "If you take the economic package as a whole,
do you think Congress should pass it," the response was:
Yes
53 percent
No
38 percent
Undecided/no answer
9 percent
4.
Investment and stimulus package:
An editorial in the New Jersey Star Ledger concluded that the
state "will get more than our fair share of the new federal money
because New Jersey has matching fund proposals just waiting for the
feds to come through with the dollars." The Governor's office
estimates that New Jersey will receive $350 million in funds from
the economic stimulus package, including $113 million for
transportation, $82 million for clean-water projects, and $54.5
million in Community Development Block Grants.
On Monday, Governor Florio will announce a plan to increase
investment in the state's highway and public transit capital
programs by an additional $1.4 billion. The Governor's office
estimates that this investment will create 42,000 jobs.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
February 28, 1993
MEMORANDUM TO THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
Ann Walker
RE:
Issues Briefing - New Jersey
ECONOMY AND JOBS
Unemployment: 7.0% (January 1992)
Taxes
The biggest issue in New Jersey is the Clinton economic plan -
particularly taxes. With a higher per capita income than the
national average, many New Jersey residents will be affected by
the tax plan. Most Jersey residents with incomes in the $75,000
range consider themselves "middle class." The cost of living is
very high especially in northern NJ.
High state property taxes combined with State tax increase under
Florio, contribute to the feeling that NJ residents pay "more
than their share." Suburban taxpayers frequently complain about
paying for "urban ills." The large senior population worries
about fixed income and fuel taxes.
Energy Tax
Concern that the BTU tax will disproportionately affect NJ
residents.
Pharmaceutical Industry
NJ is the headquarters of major pharmaceutical firms including:
-Johnson & Johnson (headquartered in New Brunswick)
-Ciba Geigy
-Warner Lambert
-Bristol Myers
-Squibb,
-Schering Plough
-Hoffmann LaRouche
-Sandoz
-Merck
Leaders in the pharmaceutical industry have expressed concern
that their industry is coming under fire causing stock prices to
decline. Merck CEO, Roy Vagelos, in an open letter advertisement
placed in five large US newspapers expressed his "disappointment"
with your comments in the immunization address. They say they
want to work with the you to contain health care costs and,
through Florio, have requested a meeting with you.
The ripple effect of a disruption in the pharmaceutical industry
for the state of NJ would be a loss of jobs, as well as a loss of
community participation. J&J has been particularly involved in
community projects, including a very successful partnership for
the revitalization of New Brunswick.
Military Base Closings
There is a lot of concern about possible base closings at Fort
Monmouth, Fort Dix, McGuire Air Force Base, and the Philadelphia
Naval Yard. These bases are large employers in the state, and
reductions would worsen existing unemployment.
Last week, Senators Bradley and Lautenburg and Rep. Saxton, held
a press conference (Feb. 23) and said the state couldn't afford
to lose another facility to further defense cuts. McGuire Air
Force Base employs 11,000 people and contributes over $1 billion
to the state's economy each year. They promised to fight to keep
the bases open.
Job Creation
Florio's jobs agenda is receiving favorable ratings for expanding
existing economic opportunities. The NJ Economic Development
Authority has aggressively pursued public/private partnerships
leading to new jobs and economic growth. Since 1990, the EDA has
arranged $1 billion in financing representing over 400 projects
and businesses. Through leveraging, this activity has led to
$2.75 billion in total investments and 24,000 additional jobs.
In 1992, EDA administered the Economic Recovery Fund, an economic
development initiative expected to stimulate $800 million in
total investments and to create 20,000 construction and 75,000
permanent jobs over three years. Using no additional taxpayer
dollars, Florio authorized the sale of $224 million in bonds to
serve as the catalyst for this economic stimulus.
CRIME
Ban on Assault Guns Repealed
NJ's 1990 assault weapon law, which Florio pushed, is the
toughest in the nation. However, last week (Feb. 25), the
General Assembly voted to override Florio's veto of a bill to
weaken the state ban on semi-automatics weapons by legalizing all
semiautomatic except Uzis and AK-47s. The override attempt now
goes to the state Senate.
The public overwhelmingly (78%) in favors keeping the ban on
assault weapons intact.
HEALTH CARE
Reform
A bipartisan health care reform package was enacted on November
30, 1992 to phase in community rating over a three year period in
an effort to:
make insurance more accessible and affordable
eliminate discriminatory rating practices
guarantee portability of insurance
The package was also designed to stimulate competition among
insurers and promote managed care.
This health care agreement was struck between the Governor and
the Republican-controlled Legislature. The package was not
supported by Legislative Democrats. A major point of contention
was the level of compensation provided to urban hospitals. This
package has come under a great deal of fire from the urban
hospitals, who claim that the compensation provided for them
under this legislation is not adequate to help urban hospitals to
provide for the drain of uninsured patients. The reform package
also dismantled, at the insistence of the Republican leadership,
the hospital reimbursement system known as "Diagnostic Related
Groups" (DRGs) which had proven to contain hospital costs
relative to other states in the region.
Also at issue was the funding mechanism for this program. Funds
have been diverted from the State Unemployment Trust Fund to pay
for uncompensated care. This measure was opposed by labor
leaders because it could potentially trigger increases in
unemployment taxes to replace the diverted funds.
New Brunswick
Mayor Cahil has declared New Brunswick the "health care city.'
It recently added new CORE pavilions (Care, Outreach, Research
and Education) to two hospitals -- one for women and children at
St. John's Hospital, the other at the Robert Wood Johnson
hospital for cancer patients. (Currently the Robert Wood Johnson
Hospital is hosting a "Battle of the Bulge. The hospital
matches each pound lost with $1 donated to Elijah's Promise, a
soup kitchen in the area. Last year a 1,000 pounds were lost.)
TRANSPORTATION/INFRASTRUCTURE
Infrastructure Investment
Florio led the rest of the nation in infrastructure investment by
creating his New Jersey Works! program three years ago. Today,
New Jersey has over 500 construction projects under way
throughout the state worth $2 billion. These projects are not
only helping repair the state highways and bridges, but are also
creating thousands of jobs. The Governor is continuing his
commitment on Monday, Mar. 1, when he will submit a $1.4 billion
capital program for the Department of Transportation and the
state's transit agency, NJ TRANSIT. This program is expected to
generate more than 42,000 construction related jobs.
ENVIRONMENT
Dioxin Dredging
Port Elizabeth and Port Newark, two of the busiest ports on the
East Coast, employ tens of thousands of New Jerseyans. To
maintain the viability of the ports, dredging will be necessary,
but the area is contaminated with dioxin from the runoff of a
defunct chemical company. The question is where to deposit the
dredged material. The ordinary location is 6 miles off the
Jersey shore. Environmental activists contend that the dredged
material should be dumped at a site 250 miles off the Jersey
shore. The Port Authority and business leaders say this is
economically untenable.
Shore Protection. The New Jersey shore was hit quite hard by
this winter's storms. Many entire towns were devastated by this
disaster, and there are many FEMA claims currently being
processed. A report by FEMA suggested that some properties
damaged might be bought out instead of continually rebuilt in
precarious locations.
The damage to the shore could also cost the state thousands of
dollars in tourism revenue if the rebuilding is not completed by
the beginning of the summer.
SOCIAL ISSUES
Community Service. In March of 1992, New Jersey applied for
funds under the National Community Service Act, which were
administered by the National Commission on Community Service.
New Jersey's application to the Commission was the State Plan for
Community Service which is called "One New Jersey." New Jersey
was one of only two states (the other state was Massachusetts) to
receive funding under all four components of the Act. New Jersey
won approximately $2 million total. The components are Serve
America, Higher Education, Youth Corps, and National and
Community Service.
College Tuition. Governor Florio has instituted increases in aid
to higher education. A program which is particularly touted is
the Tuition Stabilization Incentive Program, which is currently
being funded at $30 million to hold tuition increases to 5%.
This appropriation has consistently been under threat by the
Republican legislative leadership and is a very popular program,
particularly at Rutgers.
FEBRUARY 27, 1993
MEMORANDUM TO THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
GENE SPERLING
SUBJECT: Q&A ON THE ECONOMIC PLAN
Attached is both an in-depth Q&A that answers many of the criticism that have been
made concerning aspects of the economic plan. This is a "living" document that will be
given to many people who will have to speak for the plan. We will add new questions as
they arise, and will strengthen our current answers when we learn of other points we might
have missed. Please let us know when you are getting new questions or if you have ideas
about how the current Q&A could be strengthened.
IN-DEPTH Q&A ON CLINTON-GORE ECONOMIC PACKAGE
1. Broder column and the deficit:
Q: Broder implied that the President knew about the deficit increase during the campaign and
that thus he was not being straight in saying that it was the deficit that forced him to go
beyond the campaign and raise energy taxes. What is your response?
A: The clear and undisputable facts show that he is wrong. It is the case that the
deficit did deteriorate during the Presidential campaign. Everyone knew that. But it
did not deteriorate enough to require us to have raised energy taxes to get our current
deficit target for 1997.
But the undisputable fact is that after the election was over the deficit got far worse by
any standard. The adjusted OMB projections show that the deficit got worse by $70-
100 billion after the campaign. The CBO showed that it got worse by well over $33
billion. When adjustments were made to our internal numbers, the deficit was $50
billion higher. So by any standard, it is a clear, objective and undisputable fact that the
deficit got $33-$100 billion worse after the campaign. No one -- no one -- had the
capacity to know what the January 1993 CBO and OMB numbers would be before
they came out. Therefore, no matter whose numbers you believe, the facts are clear:
the deficit is much higher than anyone could have known last summer.
2. Business Week Deficit "Prediction:"
Q: But last July, Clinton told Business Week the deficits would approach $400 billion.
Let me repeat, no human being could predict what the OMB or CBO would do with
their January 1993 numbers until they came out.
The unexpected increase in the deficit was the rise in FY1997 to $346 billion -- more
than $100 billion greater than when we first did our plan. When Clinton spoke to
Business Week he was not even talking about the deficit baseline in 1996 or 1997.
What he was referring to in that July 6, 1992 interview was that some were predicting
that the 1992 budget might rise to near $400 billion because of RTC costs and other
factors. When Congress did not deal with the RTC and technical changes were made,
the deficit for 1992 ended up being $290 billion. As it turned out, the 1992 number
was far lower than anyone expected, but the 1997 number that we have to live with
was more than $100 billion worse than Clinton -- or anyone -- could have known in
July 1992.
1
3. Bush Campaign Tax Commercial:
Q: When Bush cut a commercial saying that people making $36,000 would pay higher taxes,
Bill Clinton said it was despicable. Yet, now it seems that Clinton intends to raise taxes on
such families. Hasn't Clinton's critique of Bush's commercial proven to be unfair?
A: Absolutely not. Clinton stated that his income tax proposal would apply only to the
top 1-2%. What he proposed in his budget was only on the top 1.2% -- families
making over $180,000. Almost 99% of Americans are untouched by increases in the
income tax -- just as Clinton promised.
Even when the deficit increased after the campaign by an additional $50 billion,
Clinton ensured that average families were touched as little as possible by the overall
tax package- no more than $17 a month for an average family -- while millions of
families will pay far less when you count their reduced mortgage costs due to lower
interest rates.
4. Family Economic Income:
Q: David Broder says that the Clinton income figures of $30,000 and $100,000 are inflated
and count income that people normally do not count as income and that this is more smoke
and mirrors. What is your response?
A: Those were the same Treasury calculations used in the Treasury for years -- by
Republican Administrations. Only now is it challenged. If you look at the Reagan
Administration's 1985 "Tax Proposals to the Congress for Fairness, Growth and
Simplicity" or their 1984 report "Tax Reform for Fairness, Simplicity, and Economic
Growth" -- they both use the same concept of "family income" and have an appendix
that explained it in detail. Whatever differences there are between family income and
adjusted gross income, that difference is minimal for the average middle class family.
In any case, objective studies by the nation's top tax and accounting companies
completely confirm our estimates.
Arthur Anderson showed that a family of three making $25,000, would actually
receive a $700 tax cut because the amount we increased the Earned Income Tax Credit
is so much larger than the energy tax.
Coopers & Lybrand found that for a family of four making $55,000 adjusted gross
income their tax rate would go up less than $11 a month.
[It should also be noted that, by any standard, objective study after objective study has
shown that the average family pays only around $15 more a month in higher energy
taxes, while a USA Today article this week showed that many middle class families
2
will save over $1000 in mortgage costs from the reduced interest rates that have been
brought about already from the seriousness of the Clinton plan. In addition, the worst
distribution table shows that the top 10% pay 70% of all of revenues in the Clinton
plan.]
5. Clinton Baseline and CBO Baseline:
Q: Isn't Clinton's baseline purposefully made more negative so that it looks like you are doing
more on the deficit. After all, the CBO deficit is only $319, while his is $346?
A: The Administration had some slightly more conservative revenue calculations, but
let's be clear: the plan achieves specific gross cuts of $195 billion in 1997. When you
subtract $55 billion for new investments that comes to $140 billion in net deficit
reduction.
We have been more conservative in all our numbers so that the American people
know we are shooting straight with them. Remember, the Council of Economic
Advisors came up with the same growth numbers as the Blue Chip. We could have
used those numbers and no one could have assailed them. Yet, since the CBO
numbers were more conservative, they used them so that there could be no chance that
anyone could see them as getting out of the nation's problems with rosy scenarios.
6. Spending cuts:
Q: How do you reply to the claims by Pete Domenici that the Clinton is not really doing
much on spending cuts?
A: If you look at his gross cuts, the President is cutting $247 billion in spending and
has $493 overall in gross deficit reduction. Even when you subtract all of the tax
incentives and new investments, you still find $325 billion in net deficit reduction over
four years and $473 in net deficit reduction over five years. Even with all of the new
investments, this is still close to being the largest net deficit reduction package of all
time.
In fact, if the Clinton plan is adopted, we will spend less -- as a proportion of our
national income -- than either Bush or Reagan. [Government spending under the
Clinton plan would average 22.7 percent. Under the Republicans, it averaged 23.3
percent.]
3
7. Tax and Spending Ratios:
Q: But doesn't he rely far more heavily on tax revenues and really far too little on spending
cuts? Some -- like Rep. Kasich -- say the ratio is $3.60 cents to every $1 in spending cuts.
A: The long-term package over five years has $375 billion in gross spending cuts and
$222 billion in cuts even if you subtract all of the new investments.
In gross terms, the overall plan relies more on spending cuts and has more spending
cuts than revenue raisers by the second full year. Yet, even if you look at the net
numbers -- even if you subtract all of the tax incentives and new investments --
there are more spending cuts than taxes by the fourth year out, and most importantly,
that pattern continues to grow with each year. In other words, the percentage of
spending cuts continues to exceed the revenue raisers by more and more each year
starting in the fourth year.
So the plan will set the nation on a new path. We are turning around the pattern of
high deficits and low investment and replacing it with lower deficit, higher
investments and do so while setting a long-term pattern that relies more and more on
spending cuts with each year.
[Note: In real terms, Treasury has calculated that the 1982 Reagan tax increase was
larger and less fair than our tax package]
Specific Spending Cut Issues:
Q: Your numbers seem good from a distance, but what we are hearing is that you are
inflating your spending cuts by counting things that are not really spending cuts. I would like
to mention the charges one by one and have you respond as to why it is a spending cuts.
8: Interest Cuts?
Q: Both of the critique on the Clinton budget put out by Republicans on the House and
Senate Budget Committees say that the Administration is wrong to count interest rate cuts as
a spending cut. What is your response?
A: We knew that Washington was out of touch, but we never thought we would live
to see the day when if we cut the tragic amount of interest we pay on the debt, we
would be told that this is not cutting spending! Do the Republicans think that cutting
interest payments on the debt is raising taxes?
4
We spend nearly $200 billion a year in interest payments on a national debt that has
exploded over the last 12 years. We spend this money -- much of it to foreign bond
holders -- instead of investing in America. Since, many of the people in Washington
have never cut the interest payments we pay on the debt, I can understand that they do
not know what to call it. But I think most people know that when they pay down their
credit cards so they pay less interest, they are cutting their spending. When we finally
have the courage to cut the deficit so that we are cutting the spending we pay on
interests, we are cutting spending. Republicans can call this a Kangaroo or an orange
or whatever they want, but common sense tell you that you are cutting spending not
raising taxes.
9. Social Security?
Q: Many people have criticized the Administration for counting their Social Security
provision as a spending cut when they are raising funds by including more Social Security
benefits as taxable income?
A: Just Tuesday, at a Dole, Domenici, Packwood Press conference -- Senate Finance
member Packwood stated clearly that this type of reduction in Social Security has
been counted as a spending cut by both the Bush and Reagan Administration. [Reuters
Transcript Report, 2/23/93] Former CBO director Rudy Penner has published an
article stating that this reduction should be seen as a spending cut.
And as Herb Stein said in the Wall Street Journal, (1/24/93) there is no reason to call
this a new revenue as opposed to a spending cut. The effect is exactly the same.
However it is classified, we are spending less on entitlements by the same amount
The main thing is that it is too bad that people who don't have the courage to change
are getting lost in form over substance. For years and years, we have heard that we
have to cut what we spend on entitlements, and that we must have the courage to take
on Social Security. If the Clinton plan had cut COLAs, it would have been regressive,
but everyone would have called that a "spending cut." Yet, the Administration figured
out a way to cut spending on Social Security entitlements by affecting only the top
19% of beneficiaries. That is an important, smart and fair way to reduce entitlements
whatever you call it.
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10. User Fees?
Q: Some are also saying that they are counting fees as cuts when they are really higher taxes:
A: It has always been the standard rule that if a business or a person uses a
government service -- paid for by the taxpayer -- and that business or person pays
for a specific service and is charged for it in a business-like way, then it is counted as
a reduction of the costs of the program. Why should a taxi cab driver have his tax
dollars used to subsidize a wealthy person's use of a private jet? Making that private
jet owner pay for his use of a taxpayer financed airport so that we can spend less on
our airports is lowering the spending costs average taxpayers have to pay.
11. Earned Income Tax Credit:
Q: The House Budget Republicans say that it is wrong for the Administration to count all of
the earned income tax credit as a tax cut, and that they should count part of it as a spending
increase?
A: That is a trickle-down definition if I've ever heard one. If a tax cut is given for a
rich person it is called a supply-side miracle. When we give a tax cut for working
people, they call it a spending increase. The fact is that President Bush and everyone
else scored the earned income tax credit as a tax cut in the 1990 Budget Agreement. It
is just one more attempt to distract attention from the fact that Bill Clinton has
presented a real deficit package, and the Republicans have no reply.
12. Spending Cuts and Budget Agreement:
Q: What is your response to Domenici and others who say that many of the Administration's
spending cuts were already in the 1990 budget agreement?
Answer: No. Every single one of the 150 programs we cut is a new cut -- beyond
what was implemented in the Bush Administration -- creating new savings. The
1990 Budget agreement had caps -- it didn't say what the cuts were, or who would
have the courage to identify and call for them. By filling in the black box with real
and specific reductions, the Clinton plan converts smoke and mirrors into concrete
spending cuts.
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13. Gross and Net Deficits:
Q: But didn't the OMB Director purposely mislead us by giving the impression that you were
cutting $493 billion in net deficit reduction over four years?
A: No. There may have been some confusion over what was gross deficit cuts and
what was a net deficit cut. The Administration has always made it clear that of the
$493 billion in gross deficit reduction, 2 of every 3 dollars goes for deficit reduction
and $1 goes for new investment. In his briefing on February 17th, Leon Panetta
referring to the $493 billion said, "Two-thirds of that amount goes for deficit
reduction, one-third of that amount goes for investments."
14. Social Security Thresholds:
Q: The President claimed that while he was going to ask for more from well-off Social
Security recipients, that no one who did not pay tax on their Social Security now would not
pay tax under his proposal. Yet, some claim this is not true. They say that the provision will
reach below $32,000 and tax new people who never before paid tax on their Social Security
benefits.
A: That is not true. We ask more from the top 19% of the Social Security recipients
and that is all. The same 80% of Social Security recipients who don't pay a dime on
their Social Security benefits will still not pay a dime.
[The formula to increase the amount of benefits subject to taxation, is phased in so
that only those over the current threshold -- $25,000 for a single and $32,000 for
couple --are affected. The claim that we are reaching deeper is not the case: the
thresholds are intact under our plan. (If there are disputes on the revenue we raise, that
is a technical issue)]
15. The Need for a Stimulus?
Q: Now that we see how great the growth was for the 4th Quarter of 1992, do we still need
a stimulus package?
A: In light of the strong upsurge in consumer confidence that occurred in the last few
months of 1992 because of optimism over President Clinton's election, we are gratified
by the encouraging news. Yet, as we have said before, the President's criteria is jobs,
and we still have a jobless recovery, with historically low job creation rates. If this
were even an average recovery, we would have 3 million more jobs in the economy
today. In fact, the unemployment rate is higher today than it was at the very bottom of
the recession. So we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until we get a job
creating recovery.
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16. Gramm-Armey?
Q: What about the Gramm-Armey plan? They call for a Balanced Budget Implementation
Act that would put a cap on entitlements, used fixed deficit targets and sequestration to
balance the budget by the year 2000. What is wrong with that, especially if they are only
capping non-Social Security entitlements at inflation as they claim?
A: Their plan is just another gimmick designed to allow some members of Congress to
hide behind a scheme that allows them to sound tough on the deficit, without having
to summon the courage to specifically say what they would cut.
Gramm-Armey does not call for a single new dollar in training for laid-off defense
workers, for anti-crime initiatives, for fixing the environment, for the best children's
programs like Head Start and WIC or for welfare reform.
But far beyond that, their nice sounding plan could only be implemented with
devastating cuts that could set our nation back decades. To reach their goal through
across the board spending cuts, they would have to cut everything by 33%. That
means brutalizing Medicare and Medicaid. That means, according to one
Congressional study, that we would need a 33% cut in our veteran programs, a 33%
cut in federal judges, a 33% cut in the FBI -- 3,000 fewer agents, a 33% cut in
federal drug enforcement officials, and a 33% cut in programs like Head Start, child
immunizations.
We have given every cut -- no matter how painful -- line by line, dollar by dollar,
year by year. Others who don't have the cuts to follow course, throw out gimmicks
that sound nice, but when you look behind them you find that they could only take
place if we called for painful, dangerous cuts that these same people don't have the
courage to be specific about.
17. Kemp-Weber?
Q: How about the Kemp-Weber proposal -- "Empower America?"
A: It is the same old thing: nice words, no courage, major deficit increases and a wish
list with no specifics.
Mr. Kemp calls for hundreds of billions in all sorts of tax cuts to everyone imaginable.
He would spend hundreds of billions reducing the payroll tax cut, increasing the
personal exemption, while reducing every corporate tax imaginable. Some of this is
nice -- I wish we could just give away hundreds of billions. And what is his only
suggestion for paying for these massive new tax cuts? He calls for a line-item veto -
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- which we support -- and what he calls "strong budget caps." We really can't afford
four more years just like the last 12 years with people like Mr. Kemp promising
everything to everyone, saying we can cure all our problems without having the guts
to come forward with even one specific tough choice. We gave America a real
budget, with over a 150 specific cuts in program for each of the next five years so that
we could both bring the down the deficit while we increased investments in our
people. That is tough to do, but that is the type of change the American people want.
18. Marriage Penalty?
Q: Isn't there a marriage penalty in this package?
A: No. This plan doesn't even touch the incomes taxes of any other than the top 1.2%
of all taxpayers. Some have complained that the surtax on those making over
$250,000 is a marriage penalty for those in that bracket because it didn't distinguish
between singles and married couples who are extremely well-off. Once again the
Republicans are throwing up a red herring by focusing on a technical issue.
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