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Jim Gilmore on Social Security
Senate challenger 2008; previously Republican Governor (VA)
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Cap entitlements & create a culture of independence
Q: Would you be willing to reduce benefits to avoid raising payroll taxes?A: We have developed a whole system, Social Security, of all these entitlement systems that are going to eat up the ability of the taxpayer to be able to pay for them.
So we�re going to have to address how we can put a cap on these in such a way that we�re going to be able to pay for them and create a culture of independence in this country so people can provide for themselves in a way that liberates them for this.
Source: 2007 Republican Debate in South Carolina
, May 15, 2007
Praises Bush leadership on Social Security reform
Social Security reform is the most presidential thing I�ve ever seen, that George Bush is doing.
It used to be people said you can�t touch Social Security as an issue, but he saw the deficiencies and has taken decisive presidential leadership to do reform that is going to protect Social Security.
Source: Interview on Evans & Novak (TV coverage of GOP Convention)
, Jul 30, 2000
Maintain long-term solvency of Social Security and Medicare.
Gilmore adopted the National Governors Association position paper:
The Issue
With the first federal budget surplus in a generation and estimates of non-Social Security surpluses ranging from $750 billion to $1.9 trillion over the next decade, the issue is whether Congress and the President will agree to dedicate a portion of the projected surplus to tax cuts and, if so, what the impacts on states might be.Tax issues raise several concerns for states. - How much of the potential non-Social Security surplus should be dedicated to tax cuts and breaks?
- Absent any consensus on long-term legislation to ensure solvency of Social Security and Medicare, would major federal revenue losses for tax cuts risk shifting substantial entitlement burdens to states?
- How would federal tax changes affect state income taxes?
- What are key elements for states of any future major tax bill? In school construction? For retirement? For housing and economic development? For health care?
NGA�s Position
NGA opposes reductions from current discretionary spending levels or changes that could risk the long-term solvency of the nation�s Social Security and Medicare systems. NGA supports provisions to ensure reduced barriers to state and local capital finance through tax-exempt bonds and to ensure maximum flexibility in setting and maintaining state retirement plans and programs.
Source: National Governors Association "Issues / Positions" 01-NGA16 on Aug 1, 2001
Page last updated: Mar 12, 2016