In an exclusive interview with 7 Action News, Sen. Tim Kaine spoke about the Clinton-Kaine Campaign’s plan to address poverty and other issues.
The Democratic Candidate for Vice President spoke with us after a rally at Focus Hope in Detroit.
The campaign chose Focus Hope as the place to hold this event because it tells the story of what needs to be done to fight poverty. Focus Hope fights racial division and poverty by providing training and education.
Sen. Kaine said if elected Vice President he plans to push for an increase in the minimum wage over time to $15/hour, increase the childcare tax credit to make childcare more affordable, and back federally-funded infrastructure improvements in impoverished areas.
He spoke about horrible conditions in schools, such as conditions exposed by 7 Action News’ Fix My School reports. He says there is a possible federal solution.
“One of the first bills we are going to do is an economic proposal to invest in infrastructure, and that infrastructure would include renovations for schools in poor neighborhoods,” said Sen. Kaine.
Kaine says such infrastructure projects would create jobs in impoverished communities and send a message to kids that schools are important.
He says to ensure children succeed in school, education needs to start earlier. He would like to see early childhood education available to all 4-year-olds in the United States.
He spoke about implementing equal pay for women and paid maternity, paternity, and medical leave.
"I do know what the policy should be. There should be paid leave. And it ought to be across society. It should be in cities, counties, and private employers too,” said Kaine.
The interview comes after an e-mail released by WikiLeaks revealed two women from Michigan were on the short list to be vice presidential candidates. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and GM CEO Mary Barra were considered.
