Candidates agree funding education a key to south suburbs' future

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BY JOAN CARREON
Times Correspondent | Sunday, November 02, 2008 | (No comments posted.)

Incumbent state Rep. David E. Miller and challenger Jim Buiter both agree on the need for education funding reform and property tax relief.

Miller, a Lynwood Democrat and dentist by trade, is a veteran state lawmaker seeking re-election to his fifth term as the representative for the 29th House District. The district includes Chicago's South Side and adjacent south suburbs.

Buiter, a Republican from Lansing, is employed as a financial adviser with Wachovia Securities. He is making his first election bid, he said, to give voters "a choice."

Buiter said he supports charter schools and school vouchers to create "competition for the education system."

Miller is the chief sponsor of House Bill 750, which proposes increasing the state income tax, decreasing property taxes and expanding the state sales tax base.

"The need still exists to provide additional money for education and property tax relief," he said.

But Miller said there now is also discussion about accountability "to make sure people can't say, 'What are they going to do for more money?' We're trying to remove that trepidation they may have."

He also is concerned about what he calls a widening disparity between those who can afford to go to college and those who can't. He would like to see additional funding for the Monetary Award Program and perhaps matching federal funds. MAP grants are provided to Illinois residents who demonstrate financial need to attend approved state colleges.

Miller also wants to control college education costs and said he likes Indiana's 21st Century Scholars Program, which puts financially strapped students on track for higher education with the promise of free college tuition as long as they maintain good grades, stay in school and out of trouble.

"If we're gong to remain competitive in a global market, we've got to do these things," Miller said.

Miller also supports more funding for job training and pre-apprenticeship programs to help get people into union trades positions, and he thinks tax incentives are needed to encourage businesses to locate in the south suburbs.

He favors having communities such as Dixmoor, Robbins and Ford Heights pool their resources to encourage economic development in those areas.

Buiter said more businesses, especially small- and mid-sized ones, need to be encouraged to stay or relocate to the south suburbs and thinks this can be accomplished by lowering taxes and creating "the right business climate."

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