Ross: Hardin, Health Care And 2014 (updated)

U.S. Rep. Mike Ross, D-Prescott, said Thursday he stands by his vote against the federal health care law and believes former Arkansas State Senate colleague Lu Hardin should have served jail time for felony charges related to his actions while president of the University of Central Arkansas.

Ross was interviewed Thursday (Sept. 29) on several topics during a more than 30-minute Q&A session on “Talk Politics,” hosted by Roby Brock (see full interview below).

“We need common sense health care reform. That bill was too big and too costly for the people of Arkansas,” Ross said when asked if he regretted his vote on the controversial health care bill.

Ross, who voted for the bill to get out of committee but voted against it on the House floor, said the “big problem” with the legislation is that it forced Americans to buy health care insurance from the government or be fined. He said some members of Congress who voted for the bill “are now starting to realize” it was not a good bill. However, he predicted that health care reform is needed or the system could collapse in 10 years.

Aspects of the bill, including the requirement that Americans purchase health care insurance, may be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court during the court’s 2012 session.

HARDIN CASE
While a member of the Arkansas State Senate, Ross served with Lu Hardin, who was then an Arkansas Senator from Russellville.

Hardin admitted guilt to two felony charges related to a scheme to collect an early bonus from UCA as part of his plan to pay off gambling debts. The prosecution sought up to a year in prison, but U.S. District Court Judge James Moody recently sentenced Hardin to 5 years probation and 1,000 hours of community service.

“Should he have gotten some jail time? Probably,” Ross said when asked about the case, adding that lawmakers should be held to a higher standard.

Ross said he was saddened by what happened to Hardin, adding that Hardin was a well-respected member of the Arkansas Senate.

“If there was anybody I would have trusted with my wallet and checkbook, it was Lu Hardin,” Ross said. “But as we all know, somewhere along the way he got in trouble. … That’s (gambling addiction) something that has taken a lot of good people down. … He’s a good man who made a huge mistake.”

BUFFETT RULE, BUDGET BATTLE
Recent noise in Washington, D.C., has come from the “Buffett Rule” — labeled such because of billionaire Warren’s Buffett’s suggestion that the super-rich should be asked to pay more taxes to help reduce the federal debt.

Ross dodged the question about his position on the Buffett Rule, by saying there is “nothing in bill form.” He did say the country needed “tax fairness” because there is “something wrong” when large corporations pay little to nothing in taxes and the super wealthy pay a lower percentage of their income in taxes compared to the middle class.

As to a ratio of spending cuts to tax increases he would support, Ross also avoided a direct answer, saying instead that he is on record asking the Congressional “super committee” in charge of developing a debt-spending reduction plan to seek $4 trillion in cuts instead of the $1.5 trillion target.

Ross also said he has been pushing for balanced budgets during his 11 years in Congress.

“We (Blue Dog Democrat coalition in Congress) were sounding the alarms on the debt and deficit well before there was a Tea Party. … I was writing balanced budget amendments back when balanced budget amendments weren’t cool,” Ross said.

He said both parties must move beyond the rhetoric that promotes class warfare to promote a particular agenda.

OTHER INTERVIEW NOTABLES
• Ross said one of the reasons he is not seeking re-election in 2012 to Arkansas’ 4th Congressional District is because most members of Congress are protected by the “gerrymandering of redistricting over the years,” which has resulted in Congress acting “more like a European Parliament” than a representative democracy.

• Because the conversation in Congress “is being driven to the extremes by both parties,” Ross said both political parties are having trouble “finding credible candidates to run.” He added that he sees “more and more good folks not willing to subject themselves and their families to that (extreme partisan politics) anymore.”

• Ross said it’s too early in the process to say who he will support in the 4th Congressional District race.

“I think you may very well see other candidates emerge on both sides of the aisle,” Ross said, adding that he has no inside information on who may enter the race.

• Ross also said the Democrat in the 4th District race will have up to a 60,000 vote advantage because the presidential election cycle brings out more Democrats. He also rejected “the notion that down-ballot Democrats” will be hurt because President Barack Obama will top the ticket.

• Will he run for Governor? Ross continues to answer the speculation by saying he is thinking about it but will not make an announcement until after his Congressional term expires in January 2013.

“I’ve given a lot of thought to it … It certainly played a role in my decision not to seek re-election,” Ross said.

Ross said he would travel the state in 2013 and listen to voters before making a decision.

Michael Tilley with our content partner, The City Wire, is the author of this report. He can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].