Hecht began his reply to the same question by denouncing politicians who use their religion to garner votes. He cautioned government funding of religious institutions will eventually lead to government vouchers for private schools. Also, religious organizations may insidiously subject those receiving their assistance to having to participate in some kind of religious service or receiving religious materials.
Martin pointed out that, in addition, charitable organizations have always done good works without government interference or support. He agreed with Hecht that vouchers are the ultimate goal of faith-based funds, but the immediate purpose is to buy votes, he said.
Miles denounced the "crowd of religious zealots" who are currently running our state and federal governments but whose actions are anything but holy. She said faith-based funding is another "Republican smoke-screen for their back-door approach to eroding our public schools."
"Republicans speak with forked tongues. When it comes to serious problems such as creating jobs, elder care, education, caring for veterans, they have done nothing," she continued.
Education
The first question put to the candidates referred to Georgia's abysmal high school drop-out rate.
Hecht wants vocational and technical instruction beefed-up so kids not headed for college have a better chance for success. Adults must become involved as mentors; parents should take an active interest. In addition to smaller class sizes and economic incentives to draw teachers to low-performing schools, Hecht wants School Safety Officers where there is the threat of violence to provide a safe environment in which children can learn.
Teachers would be able to solve educational problems if given enough support, Martin said. The State can help by reducing administrative costs that are eating up available dollars. Georgia has a surplus of a billion and a half dollars that could have been used to increase funding for education, Martin noted.
Voting for Democrats was Miles's first solution for improving our state's educational systems. Miles stated parents, not teachers, had to solve those education problems which begin in the home. Parents need to be held responsible for their disruptive children. She agreed with Hecht more vocational and technical classes were needed so students not bound for college would not be stigmatized.
Immigration
The next question was about SB 529, the anti-immigration bill recently signed by Gov. Perdue.
Martin, having some experience with immigration issues from his many years as a Legal Aid lawyer, said this is a federal issue. He favors an approach which tracks with the McCain-Kennedy bill: increased border security, hold employers responsible for hiring legal employees, and provide a process by which immigrants can become legal residents.
Miles called SB 529 an ill-conceived and ill-advised wedge issue which has instilled fear in our Hispanic community. She received the forum's only laugh when she compared our treatment of the undocumented Latinos we brought here to build the 1996 Olympics with a man who pretends he doesn't know his mistress after he's slept with her. Miles pointed out the more pressing threat of terrorism is along our northern border. SB 529 was a waste of time when we should be designing a guest-worker program, Miles concluded.
Broadening the scope of the problem to include all Georgians, Hecht said employers should not be allowed to take advantage of any workers, all children should receive adequate education and health care, and more jobs need to be created for all Georgians. Hecht suggested using the latest advances in bio-technology to bring more employment and investments to the state.
Transportation
On the question about improving transportation, Martin said solutions vary by area. Some additional major arteries and surface roads are needed. A Regional Transportation Authority should oversee Metro Atlanta, incorporating more light-rail transit into the solution.
Martin pointed out that, in addition, charitable organizations have always done good works without government interference or support. He agreed with Hecht that vouchers are the ultimate goal of faith-based funds, but the immediate purpose is to buy votes, he said.
Miles denounced the "crowd of religious zealots" who are currently running our state and federal governments but whose actions are anything but holy. She said faith-based funding is another "Republican smoke-screen for their back-door approach to eroding our public schools."
"Republicans speak with forked tongues. When it comes to serious problems such as creating jobs, elder care, education, caring for veterans, they have done nothing," she continued.
The first question put to the candidates referred to Georgia's abysmal high school drop-out rate.
Hecht wants vocational and technical instruction beefed-up so kids not headed for college have a better chance for success. Adults must become involved as mentors; parents should take an active interest. In addition to smaller class sizes and economic incentives to draw teachers to low-performing schools, Hecht wants School Safety Officers where there is the threat of violence to provide a safe environment in which children can learn.
Teachers would be able to solve educational problems if given enough support, Martin said. The State can help by reducing administrative costs that are eating up available dollars. Georgia has a surplus of a billion and a half dollars that could have been used to increase funding for education, Martin noted.
Voting for Democrats was Miles's first solution for improving our state's educational systems. Miles stated parents, not teachers, had to solve those education problems which begin in the home. Parents need to be held responsible for their disruptive children. She agreed with Hecht more vocational and technical classes were needed so students not bound for college would not be stigmatized.
Immigration
The next question was about SB 529, the anti-immigration bill recently signed by Gov. Perdue.
Martin, having some experience with immigration issues from his many years as a Legal Aid lawyer, said this is a federal issue. He favors an approach which tracks with the McCain-Kennedy bill: increased border security, hold employers responsible for hiring legal employees, and provide a process by which immigrants can become legal residents.
Miles called SB 529 an ill-conceived and ill-advised wedge issue which has instilled fear in our Hispanic community. She received the forum's only laugh when she compared our treatment of the undocumented Latinos we brought here to build the 1996 Olympics with a man who pretends he doesn't know his mistress after he's slept with her. Miles pointed out the more pressing threat of terrorism is along our northern border. SB 529 was a waste of time when we should be designing a guest-worker program, Miles concluded.
Broadening the scope of the problem to include all Georgians, Hecht said employers should not be allowed to take advantage of any workers, all children should receive adequate education and health care, and more jobs need to be created for all Georgians. Hecht suggested using the latest advances in bio-technology to bring more employment and investments to the state.
Transportation
On the question about improving transportation, Martin said solutions vary by area. Some additional major arteries and surface roads are needed. A Regional Transportation Authority should oversee Metro Atlanta, incorporating more light-rail transit into the solution.
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