League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
Ohio State Government November 2, 2004 Election
	George V. Voinovich Answers Questions Candidate for United States Senate

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Ohio and asked of all candidates for this office.

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. What are your qualifications for office?

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: U.S. Senator, 1999-Present; Governor, State of Ohio, 1990-1998; Mayor, City of Cleveland, 1979-1988; Lieutenant Governor, State of Ohio, 1979; Commissioner, Cuyahoga County, 1977-1978; Auditor, Cuyahoga County, 1971-1976; Member, Ohio House of Representatives, 1967-1971

2. Do you think any changes should be made to environmental policies affecting air and water quality? If so, what?

I have made improving the quality of Ohio's environment one of my top priorities throughout my career and continued that commitment by successfully passing legislation in 2003 that banned oil and gas drilling in the Great Lakes. I look forward to continuing that commitment by working to fund the Great Lakes Legacy Act + a program that provides $50 million annually for the clean up of contaminated sites throughout the Great Lakes. Additionally, I will continue to push legislation I introduced to help local officials fix their antiquated sewer systems to meet federal requirements and improve water quality.

To make our air cleaner, I will fight to enact the Clear Skies Act, which will reduce air emissions by 70 percent and provide the first-ever limits on mercury. I will also push for reforms to New Source Review so energy-efficient technologies can be better utilized, which will ultimately reduce air pollution.

3. How would you address the federal deficit?

As mayor and governor, I inherited budgets deep in the red. In both cases I turned the red into black. In fact, at the end of my two terms as governor, Ohio's Rainy Day Fund had $905 million in its account. I remained true to my fiscal conservative roots in the Senate as illustrated in 2003 when I championed a responsible $350 billion stimulus package that not only provided fuel for the economy but also limited growth of the deficit. I will continue to maintain that fiscal discipline, which has earned me a reputation as a "fiscal hawk." Specifically, I will work to pass legislation I introduced, the Truth in Budgeting and Social Security Protection Act, to balance the budget while ensuring that the Social Security trust fund remains untouched and safe for seniors. Additionally, I will continue to fight to restrain spending as I have done in the past.

U.S. Senate: Total words in answer to the question may not exceed 100 words. The word limit must be observeds. Words over the limit will be cut off in published information.