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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