Published: April 17, 2009 11:05 pm      

Mikulski addresses pressing concerns

CUMBERLAND — During a two-day visit this week to Allegany and Garrett counties, U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski visited the Times-News to address both local and global issues.

NewPage

Tuesday, Mikulski visited NewPage in Luke, assuring those at the fine paper manufacturing company that she and fellow senator Ben Cardin support their efforts to even the playing field when it comes to competing with foreign manufacturers.

“NewPage of course is a big local employer with more than 900 jobs and it is a big energy user,” Mikulski said. “It is a great American company.”

Mikulski said NewPage, formerly Meade/Westvaco, competes against foreign companies that do not have to spend money on environmental safeguards or occupational safety, as do American firms.

“We let NewPage know that we continue to support them and that we will continue to work on their behalf with these difficult trade issues.”

Health care

Mikulski said she hears often from her constituents in Allegany and Garrett counties and that the most common concern is about health care.

“There are a lot of people in these counties who do not have health care. Many of them work for companies that cannot afford to provide health care for employees,” the senator said.

The plan for Congress, she said, is to work with President Barack Obama’s health care package so that it can hit the ground by the end of the year.

“A part of President Obama’s plan would provide health care for children who are from a family of four with income under $45,000,” Mikulski said. “We must reform health care so that it is universally available and affordable. We are looking to provide a public health care option for pre-existing conditions that are covered by insurers.”

Mikulski said the plan is to reduce administrative health care costs and duplication of medical tests so that the money can be used for treatment.

“Not doing it is not an option,” Mikulski affirmed. “We are the only major industrialized country without a health safety net for our people.”

Cuban travel

“We already trade with communist countries such as Russia and China. Cuba’s time has come. Why shouldn’t the good people of Cuba be able to travel back and forth to visit relatives,” Mikulski said.

“I guarantee you that the Maryland poultry industry would like to send food to Cuba.”

Mending fences

“President Obama’s first priority is to protect America from predatory threat and to support good trade relations,” Mikulski said. “He is mending relationships around the world, witnessed by his recent successful visits to Europe and Turkey and upcoming ones such as to the Caribbean.”

Mikulski said Obama is extending an olive branch to Iran.

“Why not talk first? We won’t pick a fight, but we will fight when necessary. You can see that by the action we took recently in the successful rescue of the hostage held by the (African) pirates. The president has assembled an excellent foreign policy team.”

Other

The veteran senator said she and the current administration will work to preserve Social Security.

“Also, the whole area of education will occupy a lot of our time. I feel very strongly about the value of community colleges and in June will meet with presidents of the Maryland community colleges to find out what we can do to help them continue their good work.”

Mikulski was the architect of a plan that allowed taxes to be waived on the purchase of a new automobile and is working on another effort that will provide a government voucher to those whose cars are eight years or older and who purchase new vehicles.

Contact Michael A. Sawyers at msawyers@times-news.com.