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Q & A with Jim Rooney
Wednesday, March 14, 2001
Q: Why do you want to represent the people of the 40th District?
A: Service and trying to help others has always been an interest of mine, and I've always enjoyed doing it at a grassroots level. I realized making policy decisions on issues of childhood health and childhood development, taking those issues to the next level [is important]. Plus [it's attractive] in terms of affecting tens of thousands of people, where with grassroots work you're able to help one or hundreds of people.
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Q: Describe in detail three main issues you want to communicate to the public?
A: Health care: Within that is prescription drugs, making it viable and accessible for seniors to get the medicines they need. Childhood health and safety, making sure children are protected ... particularly when you look at child care. I believe that child care is a vital part of education.
Education: For this district it's really a cradle-to-grave issue. So many of our parents, both parents are working, and child care has to play a part in development. Children start learning the day they are born, and we can't leave a child without receiving the attention that is developing their mind and increasing their capacity to learn. [With] elementary and secondary education, the two issues are smaller classrooms and more resources for smaller classrooms, and more resources for the tools and technology we need. We have to have the fundamentals -- math, reading and science -- improve. People have to be able to think, not just process problems. Finding opportunity to enhance and support creative programs [is important].
Property tax reform: The number one thing I would do is push for the state budget to get back in the game of funding our schools. We have pulled back on that. [This would] lessen the burden of property tax. ... I will look at all revenue sources throughout the area. There are real opportunities in the immediate future to do structural changes with seniors. I believe we can find the commensurate revenue [to] relieve seniors from property tax. What exactly that is, whether it's a graduated scale or how long they own property or some reduction, those are the things I will examine.
Q: Are you just a candidate with a good name?
A: I don't believe so. I think I've shown that's not true. The work that I've done throughout my life shows a very high commitment to advocacy for others. I think my experience is truly based in leadership and not just politics for political gain. My family's name was earned. My grandfather and father have done things I believe are very high in integrity, and made tremendous commitment on a daily basis to making Western Pennsylvania a better place.
Q: Why should Republicans and independents vote for you?
A: I have a diverse background in the private sector. Being a parent, I understand a lot of the issues Republicans and independents face in their every day lives. Family values [are] something I stand for and live by.
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