Langevin finds student interest high on economy, Ebola

Matt Bower
Posted 10/30/14

Students in civics classes taught by state senator James Sheehan, Sharon Franco, Stephanie Dion, Jonni Goddard and John McDonnell at Toll Gate High School spent last Thursday morning in the school …

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Langevin finds student interest high on economy, Ebola

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Students in civics classes taught by state senator James Sheehan, Sharon Franco, Stephanie Dion, Jonni Goddard and John McDonnell at Toll Gate High School spent last Thursday morning in the school library interviewing and listening to Congressman James Langevin ahead of the Nov. 4 election.

Langevin stopped by the school to discuss public service, Congress and current events. A number of students prepared questions on a range of issues prior to the congressman’s visit.

Grace Huggins asked Langevin what special experience or knowledge he has that would make him a better candidate to represent Rhode Islanders in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“The issues I’m fighting for make me the best candidate,” Langevin said, before listing a strong middle class, a higher minimum wage and equal pay for equal work as examples.

“Both the country and the state are stronger when the middle class is stronger,” he said. “It’s inconceivable to work a 40-hour week and still live in poverty – we can do better.”

Langevin said women earn 78 cents on the dollar compared to men that have the same job.

“They’re earning three paychecks for every four for a man,” he said.

Nick Mattioli and Maddie Cox both asked Langevin what he proposes to do in Congress to help attract businesses and bring jobs to Rhode Island, which suffers from one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.

Langevin said one of the reasons for Rhode Island’s high unemployment rate is because workers don’t possess the necessary skills for the positions available.

“Workers don’t have 21st century skills for 21st century jobs. We need to make sure people have the right skills to do the job,” he said. “We need an educated workforce, so we need to ensure that college is affordable by keeping interest rates low on student loans.”

Greg Caldarone asked what suggestions Langevin has to help reduce the cost of college for today’s students.

“I don’t think the government should make money on student loans,” said Langevin, who said he opposed the interest rate doubling on student loans.

Langevin said there needs to be more money for Pell grants issues that lead to rapid cost increases in college tuitions need to be addressed.

“We need to get creative about how we teach at the college level, such as online learning,” he continued. “Video lectures allow professors to teach more students at the same time.”

Martha Davis asked Langevin about his views on immigration and Karina Rapoza asked if he believed in amnesty for illegal immigrants.

“I believe in immigration reform, the system is broken,” he said. “We’re not going to round up 12 to 14 million people and send them out of the country, so how do we best use our resources?”

In addition to a stronger entry and exit system as well as border security, Langevin said we need to make sure the people that are here are doing their part.

“Let’s know who is here and why,” he said, adding that people need to come out of the shadows. “We need to put people on a path to being here legally.”

Gillian Hamilton asked Langevin how he thinks the U.S. government is handling the Ebola crises and what else Congress can do to help prevent the spread of the virus.

“I’m not satisfied with the administration’s response to Ebola,” Langevin said. “It could be more proactive, but it’s getting there.”

Langevin said six states have implemented measures to conduct airport screenings and monitor people from Africa for a 21-day period.

“I’m writing a letter to ask for Rhode Island to added to that list,” he said.

Drew Cahill, Nicole Mascia and Erika Pena all wanted to know if Langevin thought flights from West Africa should be limited or prohibited because of the Ebola crisis.

“There could be unintended consequences if we prevent traveling,” he said. “If we impose a travel ban, people could evade screening practices by going to other countries.”

Langevin said if there were no functioning government in Africa, anarchy and chaos would exist.

“We need organization and people on the ground to contain Ebola,” he said.

Samantha Wilson asked for Langevin’s thoughts on Common Core State Standards and the increased emphasis on high stakes testing.

“Common Core was established to make sure all students in the country are learning the same types of skills,” Langevin said. “I have mixed emotions about high stakes testing.”

Langevin said he’s concerned about teachers being evaluated based on high stakes test results.

“There are different reasons why some students do better than others,” he said.

April Wolstenholme asked Langevin what he thought of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

“I’m a strong supporter of Obamacare,” Langevin said. “It’s not the prefect law. If we had more reliable partners on the other side to improve it, it would be far better.”

Langevin said something had to be done because health care costs were rising at a rapid rate and more and more people were losing health insurance and struggling to afford it.

“I hope to bring stability to costs over time,” he said.

Langevin was also asked about how to inspire more young people to be involved in civic affairs.

“Get involved in campaigns and be good citizens by knowing what’s going on and contacting your local legislators,” he said. “I’ve tried to inspire young people to get involved through internships in my office. I interned for Senator [Claiborne] Pell when I was in college and it was a great experience.”

Langevin said you’re never too young to get involved in then political process.

Get registered, elect people you trust to do the best job they can,” he said. “We live in a democratic government of the people, by the people and for the people.”

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