16A
Thursday, August 22, 1996
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Clinton signs wage increase
Minimum pay to rise to $4.75 by October
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — President Clinton ensured millions of Americans a 50-cents-an-hour raise by Election Day, approving the first minimum-wage increase in five years.
The legislation, which will raise the hourly minimum by 90 cents to $5.15 an hour during 13 months, was enacted Tuesday in the first of three bill signings this week that Clinton hopes will portray him as a can-do leader at the Democratic National Convention next week.
The bill, passed by Congress on Aug. 2, raises the minimum from $4.25 an hour to $4.75 effective Oct.
1 and to $5.15 an hour on Sept. 1.
1997. The minimum has dropped
near a 40-year low when adjusted for price increases in recent years.
"This is a cause for celebration for all Americans of all parties, all walks of life, all faiths," Clinton said at a campaign-style ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. "It will give 10 million Americans . . . a chance to raise stronger families and build better futures."
"This bill says to the working people of America: 'If you're willing to take responsibility and go to work, your work will be honored,'" Clinton said.
He also signed legislation yesterday expanding working Americans' access to health insurance and is expected today to sign a bill ending the six-decade federal guarantee of welfare benefits to the poor.
The health bill was pushed by both parties, but the welfare legislation was championed largely by Republicans. The signings fit with Clinton's re-election strategy of running as a moderate Democrat who can work with Republicans while blunting their excesses.
"This is a cause for celebration for all Americans of all parties,all walks of life."
President Clinton Speaking of the new wage bill
But Tuesday's minimum-wage script was written to play to the administration's core Democratic constituency. Clinton signed the bill with AFL-CIO president John Sweeney looking on and with children of minimum-wage workers at his elbow. He sat at the desk of Frances Perkins, secretary to Franklin Roosevelt, who enacted the first federal minimum wage — 25 cents an hour — in 1938.
The bill marks a rare Democratic legislative victory during the 20 months that Republicans have controlled Congress. But moderate Republican reminded Clinton that without them the wage increase, as well as the health and welfare bills, would have remained bottled up in Congress.
Conservative Republicans had argued that raising the minimum wage would destroy entry-level jobs, and House Majority Leader Dick Arney, R-Texas, had pledged to fight the raise.
But GOP leaders relented after moderate Republicans threatened to join Democrats, who were using parliamentary tactics to bring the already glacial pace of Congress to a standstill.
All sides readily agreed to include a $21-billion package of tax cuts during 10 years, mollisfing conservatives and their small-business backers, who are getting more generous equipment writeoffs and a new type of simplified pension plan for companies employing 100 or fewer workers.
Powell denies rumors of getting post
Favorability grows with talk of possible job offer from Dole
The Associated Press
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Retired Gen. Colin Powell said Tuesday he has not been offered and thus, not accepted an offer to be secretary of state if Bob Dole is elected president.
House Speaker Newt Gingrich commented on the latest reports about Powell's potential role in a Dole administration at a rally in Georgia Monday night.
"Colin has already indicated he'd accept it," Gingrich said to about 150 campaign volunteers. Gingrich said he believes Dole would
announce Powell's selection in September before the election.
Powell denied the report while campaigning in Kentucky with Dole and vice presidential nominee Jack Kemp.
"We haven't had any such discussion," said Kemp, the retired chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Powell commented on accepting the post of secretary of state should Dole win in November.
"Anything's open. But right now the more important thing is to get the team elected," Powell said.
Dole spokesman Nelson Warfield suggested that the talk of Powell's potential role in a Dole administration was premature.
"I would consider anything that the president asked me to do."
Rumors that Powell would be Dole's choice for the Cabinet position were floated during last
"It's putting the Cabinet before the election," Warfield said. "There's plenty of time for that."
Colin Powell Retired General
--week's Republican convention
Powell himself fueled speculation last Tuesday, saying that if Dole were elected, "I would consider anything that the president asked me to do."
The convention's opening night showcased Powell with his speech, calling for a Republican Party built on tolerance and diversity.
The alreadypopular Powell came out of the convention with an even better image, according to a CBS- New York Times poll.
In early August, 55 percent of registered voters had a favorable opinion of him.
Only 6 percent had an unfavorable view.
In polling Friday through Sunday, 61 percent did.
Democratic convention gets on track
The Associated Press
1. ___
WASHINGTON—President Clinton will try to whip up excitement at the Democratic National Convention next week with televised appearances each night on his four-day train trek to Chicago.
Showing off the powers of incumbency, Clinton also will roll out a series of initiatives dealing with crime, education and the environment in what the White House hopes will be a contrast with the Republicans' convention in San Diego.
"In our convention, it's safe to say, there will be one thing that was lacking from the convention in San Diego," said presidential spokesman Mike McCurry. "There will be some news."
The president will fly to West Virginia on Sunday to begin a whistle stop train trip that will carry him to Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois. He will arrive in Chicago on Wednesday evening.
The Democratic convention opens Monday. On Wednesday, Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd will nominate Clinton as the Democratic presidential candidate, and Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer will second it. The convention closes late Thursday after Clinton's acceptance speech.
While Clinton rides the train, Vice President Al Gore and the president's wife, Hillary, will spend the week in the convention city, and both plan to address the delegates.
Each day, the convention will see large-screen videos of Clinton on the road, campaign officials said. Some appearances will be live, and others will be taped, showing highlights of the president's day, officials said.
McCurry, in his daily press briefing, needled Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole for saying that he had not read the GOP platform and would not be bound by it.
"We have a party platform that the president not only has read but actually took part in drafting," the presidential spokesman said. "It's a platform that he'll be proud to stand by as we go into the fall election."
Ann Lewis, Clinton's deputy campaign manager, said there would be an event each day of the train trip coinciding with themes of the convention. She said Monday night would be devoted to personal stories that demonstrate why the election is important and the impact it can have on people' lives.
A leadoff speaker will be Sarah Brady, head of a handgun control advocacy group and wife of James Brady, who was press secretary to President Reagan when both were shot in 1981. She will speak Monday about the Brady law, which requires a waiting period for handgun purchases. Actor Christopher Reeve, paralyzed after a horseback riding accident, also speaks Monday.
The convention will focus on strengthening families Tuesday, Lewis said. Indiana Gov. Evan Bayh delivers the keynote address that night. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Tipper Gore and several Democratic congressional candidates also speak Tuesday.
Wednesday, which Lewis said would examine comparisons between the records and visions of Dole and Clinton, also will feature a video tribute to Gore and a speech by the vice president.
Campaign spokesman Joe Lockhart said the major television networks probably will devote one prime time hour to each of the first three nights of the convention and likely will go longer Thursday for Clinton's speech.
KANSAS UNION
UNION FEST
THURS. & FRI. AUG. 22-23
Food Games Prizes Live Music FREE Stuff KJHK Live Remote Valuable Coupon Books
Win Computer Software
Free Stuff
*Win a case of pop
*Free Food & Candy
1