RICHMOND—
From privatizing state liquor stores, to what he's doing to help create new jobs.Our Sandra Jones put questions to US Senator Mark Warner (D) on several hot button issues facing Virginians.
Senator Warner stopped by Lite 98 studios Friday morning.
Sandra asked what he thought of Governor Bob McDonnell's plan to privatize state ABC stores, that the Governor says would pump money into the Commonwealth to pay for road improvements.
But before endorsing the plan, the former Governor wants to make sure the state continues to make money if it stops selling liquor.
"Let's make sure when we get close to a 200 million dollar revenue stream that goes into supporting education and other core functions. Can we make sure the business deal replaces that revenue stream. To my mind, this is less philosophical and what's the best business case for the taxpayer and what's not going to lose revenue to the state," said US Senator Mark Warner (D)
When it comes to abortion, Senator Warner says the Attorney General's opinion to put stiffer regulations on abortion clinics that don't meet standards for outpatient surgery centers is not the right way to go.
"It seems to me that this ought to be perhaps best left to health care professionals," Warner says, and if there's going to be a policy change it ought to be done by the legislature and not perhaps done by and end run around."
And with news of a possible second recession looming, the Senator says big business needs to step up.
"We've got to get the private sector, particularly, large companies that are sitting on over two trillion dollars on their balance sheets to start spending...a little bit. Part of that is going to come from confidence, part of that is going to come from making sure that the credit flows, the bank continues to lend."
Senator Warner tells CBS 6, coprorate America is in the best shape its been in in the last ten years with $2 trillion in cash on it's balance sheet.
He's helping to jump start the economy by sponsoring a bill, giving small businesses over $12 billion dollars in tax breaks and assistance to the Small Business Administration.
Senator Warner hopes to get it passed when Congress goes back in session.
