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Home My WebLink About2014 10-15 Social Security and immigration focal points for U.S. Congress MAPLEWOOD REVIEW Social Security and immigration focal points for U.S. Congress OCT 1 5 2014 Patrick Larkin news editor This year's matchup for the Fourth Congressional District seat features three tot candidates from major I parties.The district covers 4. all of Ramsey County.The candidates running for " federal office were asked about their positions on the future of Social Secu- rity and Medicare,immi- Betty McCollum Sharna Wahlgren Dave Thomas gration reform,and what Catherine University with she notes that the U.S. Republicans are'choos- their legislative initiatives a bachelor's degree in Senate passed an immigra- ing instead to exploit the and priorities are. political science and edu- lion reform bill in 2013 issue for political gain" cation.She is divorced. with bipartisan support. by keeping the bill away Betty McCollum McCollum says she She says that bill addresses from a vote. Betty McCollum,DFL, believes Social Security border security as well McCollum says her is running as an incum- and Medicare are essential as legal issues regarding foremost legislative pri- bent.She's held the Fourth programs for seniors,peo- undocumented persons. ority is addressing the District seat since 2001, ple with disabilities,and But the bill hasn't been threat of the terror- and prior to that was a workers in general. She brought before the House, ist expansion of ISIL in Minnesota state represen- says the programs need to McCollum says,because Syria and Iraq.She says tative and a City Council be strengthened"to ensure House Republican leaders she supports airstrikes member in North St.Paul. full benefits are paid to all refuse to allow it to come against ISIL,saying Con- McCollum, 60, of St. future beneficiaries." to a vote. Paul,graduated from St. On immigration reform, To McCollum,House see Freedom on page 3 Congress... continued from page 1 OCT 1 "5 2014 gress should"immediately Prior to running for boosting the U.S. econ- paying down federal debt. Thomas is married and Thomas said his leg- authorize any sustained office, she worked full- omy, since the program's She says Congress works full-time as a spe- islative priorities would use of force with strict time as a partner at the ability to pay retirees should "undo unneces- cial education teaching include the removal of limits on U.S. ground law firm Leonard, Street depends on revenue from sary, expensive regula- assistant at Brimhall Ele- the federal government forces." and Deinard, which is current workers. tions and make it less mentary School in Rose- from the student loan "The jihadist recruits now merged with another On immigration reform, expensive for companies ville. He is also an on-call process, adding tuition and fighters flowing firm and is known as she says the U.S. needs to repatriate money and firefighter with the Falcon free universities, doing uncontrolled into Syria Stinson Leonard Street. secure borders, and criti- invest here." Heights Fire Department. student loan forgiveness, from Turkey must be She left the position to cized the current Con- She also would pri- Thomas suggests Social and legalizing marijuana stopped," she says, adding run for office, she said. gress, saying members oritize improving higher Security and Medicare for medical, personal that until the unrest there Wahlgren says she'd "should stop fighting and education and push to issues can be resolved and industrial uses. He is contained she doesn't like to see Medicare and start working to solve this make it "geared toward by taxing corporations also listed improving support the U.S. arming Social Security "get on problem." actual job opportunities." appropriately. veteran's assistance pro- and training Syrian rebel a sustainable path." For She says the U.S. needs To address immigra- grams, implementing fighters. Wahlgren, that would to disincentivize illegal Dave Thomas tion reform, he says corn- ranked choice voting, and include bringing down border crossing, and sug- Dave Thomas, a mem- panies caught hiring ille- defunding the National Sharna Wahlgren healthcare costs for Medi- gests the economy could ber of the Independence gal workers should be Security Agency. Sharna Wahlgren, care and improving ser- be strengthened by creat- Party, is 33 and lives in charged "20 percent of Republican, is 46 and vice. Overall, she says, the ing paths for legal immi- Falcon Heights. gross profits per illegal Contact Patrick Larkin lives in Maplewood. She current system rewards gration. He graduated from Con- hired." at 651-748-7816 or at east- graduated from the Uni- inefficiency and unceces- Her legislative priorities cordia University with a "We don't punish side @lillienews.com. Fol- versity of Minnesota Law sary spending. would include improving bachelor's degree in mid- people for being victims low him on Twitter at @ School with a law degree. She says Social Security the economy, balancing dle and high school edu- of abuse, we punish the ESRPatrickLark. Wahlgren is married. could be strengthened by the federal budget, and cation for social studies. abusers,"he explains.