Jim Jeffords in 2000 National Political Awareness Test

On Civil Rights: Continue federal affirmative action programs

Jeffords supports the following principles regarding Affirmative Action:
• The federal government should consider race and sex in making government contracting decisions.
• The federal government should continue affirmative action programs.
• The federal government should utilize merit and qualifications in making government contracting decisions.

On Drugs: Decriminalize medical marijuana

Jeffords supports the following principles regarding illegal drugs:
• Expand federally sponsored drug education and drug treatment programs.
• Decriminalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
• Increase border security to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S.

On Immigration: More visas & social programs for immigrants

Jeffords supports the following principles regarding immigration:
• Increase the eligibility of legal immigrants for certain social programs (e.g. public housing, food stamps).
• Increase the immigration quota for computer scientists and other information technology workers.

On Jobs: More employer flexibility; raise minimum wage

Jeffords supports the following principles regarding employment:
• Provide tax credits for companies that move job-creating industries into areas with high unemployment.
• Increase funding for national job-training programs that re-train displaced workers or teach skills needed in today’s job market.
• Increase the federal minimum wage.
• Encourage employers to offer flex-time scheduling & comp-time for family emergencies.
• Provide tax credits for businesses that offer on-site child care.

On Social Security: Raise FICA on rich; support lock-box

Jeffords supports the following principles regarding Social Security:
• Require individuals to pay the Social Security tax on incomes above $68,400 (which is currently exempt).
• Support a lock box measure, limiting Congress’s ability to spend Social Security and Medicare surpluses on any other federal programs except Social Security and Medicare, until each program’s long-term solvency is guaranteed.