|
George Pataki on Social Security
Republican NY Governor
|
|
|
I would not reduce social security benefits
I don't consider Social Security an entitlement. Social Security is something you paid for. When you're working, the money is taken out. I would not in any way reduce the benefits or make it more difficult for someone who has paid into Social Security to
get it. All Americans working should be a part of Social Security, and that would increase the pool of people paying to Social Security. The second thing is to grow our economy so we have fewer dependent on government.
Source: RFD-TV 2015 coverage of 2016 presidential hopefuls
, Sep 29, 2015
Maintain long-term solvency of Social Security and Medicare.
Pataki 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
Supports individual savings accounts and work incentives.
Pataki adopted the Republican Main Street Partnership issue stance:
Congress must address the rapidly approaching disaster of a depleted Social Security system. Within the next ten years "baby boomers" will start retiring. It is estimated that, as a result of this, by 2013 Social Security will be making greater payments to retirees than it will take in from the workforce. By 2032 the Social Security Trust Fund will be completely exhausted. Congress could rewrite this forecast by establishing individual savings accounts, restoring Social Security to permanent actuarial solvency, improving work incentives and/or resolving internal administrative problems.
Source: Republican Main St. Partnership Issue Paper: Fiscal Policy 98-RMSP3 on Sep 9, 1998
Page last updated: Mar 12, 2016