Jason Wallace (Candidate)

Jason Wallace
Candidate G-11-IL

Campaign Contact
Campaign Website
Campaign Contributors

309-532-3446
P.O. Box 708
Bloomington, IL 61702

Biography

WALLACE, Jason, a student at Illinois State University; served over 17 months in Illinois Air National Guard; earned the Air Force Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with valor, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE

Compare Innovation & the Elections 2008 responses for IL-11.

SEA and eighteen other science organizations have come together to ask the 2008 congressional candidates seven questions on science and technology policy. See what Jason Wallace has said:

Innovation

Science and technology have been responsible for half of the growth of the American economy since World War II. But several recent reports question America’s continued leadership in these vital areas. What policies would you support to ensure that America remains the world leader in innovation?

To ensure America remains the world leader in innovation, I will support policies that increase funding in technology, research, and science. This will come by dealing with the issues of climate change, energy, and moving our economy and society towards a sustainable future. Additionally, I will increase funding for education, especially in the areas of science and math so that are students are ranked #1 in the world. Finally, by making health care accessible to all of our citizens our system can find new treatments and means to improve our health and quality of life.

Climate Change

The Earth’s climate is changing and there is concern about the potentially adverse effects of these changes on life on the planet. What is your position on the following measures that have been proposed to address global climate change—a cap-and-trade system, a carbon tax, increased fuel-economy standards, and research? Are there other policies you would support?

I support policies that will truly resolve the issue of global climate change. This is why I support a cap-and-trade system, a carbon tax, increased fuel-economy standards, and increased funding for technology as well as the development and implementation of renewable, sustainable and alternative energy sources immediately.

Specifically, I will introduce or support a legislative package requiring an immediate freeze on climate pollution, a 10% reduction in U.S. greenhouse gases within three years, a 30% reduction by 2020, and a 90% reduction by 2050; coupled with a requirement that 50% of all industrial, farm, and home energy be generated from renewable sources by 2040. I will also support the creation of five million new “Green Collar” jobs, with a special emphasis on training and providing jobs for inner-city youth and veterans, to retrofit the nation’s homes and buildings and conserve 20% of our energy use by 2015, which will also greatly boost the economy in the 11th Congressional District.

I do not support off-shore drilling or building new nuclear power plants, because this is a drain of our resources that do not move our society towards sustainability. The amount of money that could be used for these outdated energy sources would be better placed in energy that is clean and truly sustainable.

Energy

Many scientists and policymakers say energy security and sustainability are major problems facing the United States this century. What policies would you support to meet the demand for energy while ensuring an economically and environmentally sustainable future?

With the twin crises of global climate change and the end of the era of cheap oil, I will work on a public-private partnership to commit resources comparable in scale and urgency to the Marshal Plan after World War II to developing decentralized and renewable sources of energy. The purpose of this plan will be to convert the U.S. economy to clean energy, implement major energy conservation measures, and transfer clean energy technologies to other major greenhouse gas producing nations, so as to drastically reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

This commitment will include wind, solar and geothermal energy, improving our conservation and efficient use of energy in homes and businesses, and promoting sustainable transportation practices, such as high-speed rail, other efficient public transportation and sensible urban planning.Not only is this a top priority for me but it is needed for future generations and for our survival. This program would not only be good for the economy, but it is essential for the preservation of our planet. More information on this issue also exists with my policies for climate change.

Education

A comparison of 15-year-olds in 30 wealthy nations found that average science scores among U.S. students ranked 17th, while average U.S. math scores ranked 24th. What role do you think the federal government should play in preparing K-12 students for the science and technology driven 21st Century?

Our public schools need support. The current public system forces our teachers to ‘Teach the Tests’ or face funding cuts. It also does not integrate higher education, an essential component for long–term success. This needs to change. With the proper level of support and reform from the federal government and changes in state–level funding, our state and local governments will have the resources they need to build a plan that provides and prepares students from preschool through graduate school so that America will remain globally competitive. The federal government should provide grants to schools so that they have resources to prepare and ensure that all students are adequately prepared for the science and technology of the 21st Century.

Water

Thirty-nine states expect some level of water shortage over the next decade, and scientific studies suggest that a majority of our water resources are at risk. What policies would you support to meet demand for water resources?

To meet our demand for water resources, we must conserve and become more efficient with our existing water resources. I would support tax credits for business and homes that retrofit their homes with more efficient water systems. Additionally, I will have the federal government provide the resources our state and local government lacks to become more efficient with their water use. Finally, funding into research and technology that further increases our water efficiency and resources should be explored and supported, such as desalinisation plants.

Research

For many years, Congress has recognized the importance of science and engineering research to realizing our national goals. Given that the next Congress will likely face spending constraints, what priority would you give to investment in basic research in upcoming budgets?

I will give investment in basic research a higher priority in upcoming budgets than is currently seen by Congress. Research benefits all Americans and can lead to a higher quality of life and health. Additionally, research is one of the many reasons why America is the most competitive nation globally, and a continued or increased investment in research will ensure we are the number one producer of innovations and new technology.

Health

Americans are increasingly concerned with the cost, quality, and availability of health care. How do you see science, research, and technology contributing to improved health and quality of life?

Our current health-care system is failing to serve the needs of the people because it is dominated by private, for-profit insurance companies acting as the “middle-man” between patients and their healthcare providers. These companies make more money by denying coverage whenever possible, placing more and more of the burden on working people who can’t afford to bear the cost, and on health-care providers who are drowning in administrative paper-work. The best quality and most efficient health-care systems in the world today are government-funded “single payer” systems that use a single, publicly accountable public agency to pay for health care. So-called universal health-care schemes that actually force employers and employees alike to buy private insurance will not work, and will only compound the problem. Health care is too important to the wellbeing of society to be left in the hands of self-serving profiteers. I will wage an uncompromising fight for a single-payer health-care system, such as the current proposal in the House, H.R. 676.

Science, research, and technology have and continue to contribute to our improved health and quality of life. It is one of the leading reasons why we haven't had as many combat deaths in our current military conflicts. I will continue to provide funding for science, research, and technology, because it is only a matter of time before we have more major significant breakthroughs in these fields beyond those we've seen. From this our quality of life and health will benefit dramatically.

Login/Register to EditJASON WALLACE ON SCIENCE

Climate Change

Nothing posted to date.

Education

Educational Training

Nothing posted to date.

Educational Funding

“‘I don't support the idea of teaching for tests. When such a large mandate is required that can be found in NCLB without the Federal funds to support and bring our public education system to those expectations, reform or repeal of this act needs to happen. Instead of closing down our public education institutions, we should invest our resources to ensure our children can be well educated and compete in today’s global market.’ My leadership experience and knowledge within Illinois Higher Education has allowed me to understand the current issues facing the stakeholders of education and the need to align education issues as P-20. In a recently released IBHE press release, ‘The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has forged a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Governor's office and ISBE to develop a policy agenda aimed at improving readiness of high school graduates for the rigors of postsecondary education and the demands of the workplace. The partnership is focused on strategies to: • Ensure that high school academic standards are aligned with expectations for what students should know when they enter the workforce or a college classroom. • Measure how successful the system is in producing college and career-ready students. • Marshal state resources to support efforts in school districts to prepare students for life after high school, including accountability systems for higher education institutions.’ “Jason is encouraged by this partnership in the state of Illinois and believes that the Federal Government should assist Illinois and other states in reforming education so that we have a well-informed and educated electorate. Once this occurs, citizens can vote with the confidence that they understand the issues and candidates they choose at the election booth. The Federal government can also assist our educational institutions with the resources necessary to develop and retrofit capital projects so that they use renewable energy sources on all buildings currently being used and planned for the future ^[1].”

Teaching Evolution/Intelligent Design

Nothing posted to date.

Energy

Clean Coal Technology

Nothing posted to date.

Fuel Economy Standards

Nothing posted to date.

Renewable Energy

“Jason fully agrees and supports the Power to the People Campaign of the ILGP. Increased funding for technology as well as the development and implantation of renewable, sustainable and alternative energy sources is needed immediately. The technology of solar, wind, and geothermal energy is a great start, but there may be alternative sources of energy that we have not discovered, therefore more funding is needed in programs like these and the technology to increase the efficiency of green technology in current existence is an investment that every American will be able to enjoy. Considering the current need to upgrade our outdated infrastructure, the time to move towards this technology could not be at a better time. In addition, we need better funded and reliable public transportation to decrease our dependency on car travel so we can decrease our dependency on foreign oil. This includes developing a light rail system to connect all major-metro areas in Illinois as well as to the rest of the United Sates ^[2].”

Nuclear Energy

Nothing posted to date.

Environment

Nothing posted to date.

Health

Healthcare

“On health care, Jason believes it is a human right and everyone should have access to care regardless of socio-economic background. For more information on healthcare, please visit the ILGP's Platform On Health Care ^[3].”

Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Nothing posted to date.

Innovation

Nothing posted to date.

Research and Research Management

Nothing posted to date.

Funding

Nothing posted to date.

Endnotes

↑ Jason Wallace. Issues. Education Funding. http://www.electwallace.us/keyissue/education
↑ Jason Wallace. Issues. Renewable & Sustainable Energy. http://www.electwallace.us/keyissue/energy
↑ Jason Wallace. Issues. National Health Care. http://www.electwallace.us/keyissue/healthcare

Scientists & Engineers for America

Jason Wallace (Candidate)