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Politics & Government

Stark Talks About SOPA, Unemployment, Medicare, Carbon

San Leandro Congressman Pete Stark recently met with residents of neighboring San Lorenzo.

Congressman Pete Stark (D-Fremont), who currently represents the 13th district, made an appearance at the on Saturday, Jan. 21 to discuss key community issues in an open forum.

The one-and-a-half hour town meeting was one of two he held that day. Prior to arriving in San Lorenzo, Stark visited the Fremont Senior Center and held a similar meeting there.

which included his proposed carbon tax bill, , the extension of unemployment benefits and medicare physician payments.

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The small meeting room was packed beyond capacity and each community member was given a number to organize the process by which Stark answered questions.

SOPA

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Received with great controversy by the public and media like Wikipedia and Google shutting down in protest to the act, would give the government loosely-defined rights to limit the information available on the internet.

Stark explained he opposed the act because of the way it was written.

"It could allow the government to come in and shut down [internet resources] we depend on," he said.

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

With companies like Toyota leaving the area to escape the institution of labor unions, according to Stark, "It's part of the Republican plan to make unions less successful."

Stark mentioned that, though raising tariffs may not be the correct route, a solution could be found in the treatment of medical marijuana dispensaries.

In wake of the IRS auditing an Oakland dispensary, Stark noted that dispensaries keep youth from becoming involved in selling drugs by regulating them in a tax-paying entity.

MEDICARE

"The principle problem with [California] medical care is that it's too expensive," said Stark addressing the recent occurrence of physicians taking pay cuts to make healthcare more affordable for patients.

He argued that protections have always been in place to prevent costs from rising more than logistically necessary for operations to continue. He added that billing errors are likely due to the massive number of patients rather than the hospitals intentionally overcharging.

CARBON TAX BILL

"The Cap and Trade [Policy] is currently used in Europe, and it's a mess," said Stark referring to a policy that gives economic incentives to lower carbon emissions.

Stark's proposed carbon tax legislation, the Save Our Climate Act, would add a sales tax to coal, natural gas and fossil fuel — adding up to a few additional cents per gallon. The taxes would be based on that particular fuel's carbon dioxide content.

The legislation is slated to eradicate dependence on foreign oil, encourage investment in alternative energy sources and further efforts to protect the environment.

CONCLUSION

Stark thanked attendees for coming out and lingered until all feedback and questions were heard.

He further encouraged anyone who still had comments or inquiries to contact his office through his website.

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