Mark Warner on Jobs Democratic Jr Senator; previously Governor

Bring high-tech, well-paying jobs to small towns

Gilmore opposed helping Tultex, despite Assembly’s support

Gilmore: “That’s a mischaracterization of what I did with the Tultex people in Southside.”

REALITY: The legislation would have paid for health insurance for the unemployed workers, including 3,300 Tultex Corp. employees in Henry County who lost their jobs when the giant sweatshirt maker declared bankruptcy. Gilmore said he had no choice but to veto the assembly’s plan, describing it as a “health care benefit entitlement, but only for displaced textile workers in the Martinsville area.” [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 5/20/00]

Taking their cue from Gov. Gilmore, Republicans kept legislation to help unemployed textile workers bottled up in committee. The bill had bipartisan support before Gilmore weighed in. [One legislator] said. “There’s only one person who is diametrically opposed to this, and he’s the governor.” [AP, 2/12/00]

No employment discrimination based on sexual orientation

Increase minimum wage; support homeless job training

Supports the following principles regarding the poor.
• Provide tax incentives for companies to hire and train homeless people who want to work.
• Increase the minimum wage.
• Provide homeless families with apartment vouchers they can use to supplement the cost of an apartment.
• Implement enterprise zones in communities with high unemployment.
• Support programs that give incentives for employers to hire and train welfare recipients.

Ban discriminatory compensation; allow 2 years to sue.

Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to declare that an unlawful employment practice occurs when:
1. a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice is adopted;
2. an individual becomes subject to the decision or practice; or
3. an individual is affected by application of the decision or practice, including each time wages, benefits, or other compensation is paid.

[Note: A woman named Lilly Ledbetter filed a lawsuit for gender-based discriminatory compensation. The Supreme Court ruled that Ms. Ledbetter could only sue for damages going back 180 days, and the 180 days was calculated from the time her employment contract was initiated, i.e., her hire date. This new law changes the 180-day period to two years, and also calculates the date from the time of each paycheck, rather than the hire date. -- Ed.]

Let ex-cons apply freely, according to CC survey.

The Christian Coalition inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Eliminate Barriers to Housing and Employment for Those Who Have Successfully Completed their Sentence?'

[Ed.: "Ban the Box" refers to a checkbox that applicants must check when applying for jobs or housing, indicating whether they have an arrest record or a felony conviction.] Self-description by Christian Coalition of America: "These guides help give voters a clear understanding of where candidates stand on important pro-family issues" for all Senate and Presidential candidates.