Richard Durbin in ScienceDebate.org
On Education:
Create refundable tax credit for teachers in Title I schools
We were incentivizing experienced educators to work in affluent schools. The impact on students in Black and Brown neighborhoods is drastic. We can address these disparities by incentivizing teachers to make careers in areas with the most need.
My bill, the Retaining Educators Takes Added Investment Now Act, would create a fully refundable tax credit for teachers in Title I schools and educators in early childhood education programs.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Illinois Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
On Energy & Oil:
Empower the EPA to regulate greenhouse emissions
If we want to avoid the most disastrous effects of climate change, we must rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We need to empower the EPA to regulate emissions. We must invest in alternative fuels. We should help transition to a clean energy,
carbon neutral future by putting a price on carbon. I've introduced America's Clean Future Fund Act, which would raise a carbon tax and invest the revenues in clean energy development, transition assistance for workers.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Illinois Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
On Environment:
Renovate our entire drinking water infrastructure
We need to invest in renovating the entirety of our drinking water infrastructure to ensure all Americans have access to lead-free drinking water. We need to seriously address the injustices that have required certain communities to bear the brunt of
the damage associated with industrialization. We should clean up legacy superfund and other pollution sites and invest in green spaces and necessary renovations in environmental justice communities.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Illinois Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
On Health Care:
Defend & expand ObamaCare and Medicaid
My vote for the Affordable Care Act was one of the most important votes of my career. We must do everything within our power to defend and expand on the ACA. We should expand Medicaid in all states, allow people the option to
purchase private or public health insurance plans that ensure access to mental health care, and provide access to adequate dental care. We must also reduce the cost of prescription drugs by allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Illinois Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
On Technology:
Fund science to protect food supply, cure disease, and more
Increasing federal research funding at our government agencies is a top priority for me.
The American Cures and Innovation Acts and the America Grows Act would allow
America's smartest scientists and researchers to spend less time figuring out how to cut their budgets and more time finding new ways to protect our food supply,
find cures for deadly diseases, and tackle the challenges of the future. Continuing to support scientific research is the smartest investment we can make for our health, our future, and our economy.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Illinois Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
On Welfare & Poverty:
Educate farmers about federal programs that can help them
Q: What, if any, new action should the federal government take to increase food security?A: I supported new Farm Bill programs to expand local and regional systems that strengthen diversity (both economically and socially) of the farm sector, like
dedicated funding for the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) and the new Office of Urban Agriculture. Better outreach, education, and training are imperative so more local farmers know and use these programs.
Source: ScienceDebate.org on 2020 Illinois Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
Page last updated: Dec 10, 2020