Thursday, July 01, 1999
Kasich attacks business' breaks
BY PAUL BARTON
Gannett News Service
WASHINGTON — Even though his underfunded presidential campaign could use some corporate donations, GOP Rep. John Kasich of Westerville, Ohio probably further irritated big business Wednesday with a renewed attack on corporate welfare.
The term refers to special subsidies and tax breaks that Congress and the federal government give to major corporations. Depending on how they are counted, they are estimated in the hundreds of billions of dollars.
Mr. Kasich, chairman of the House Budget Committee, held a hearing on the subject and the star witness was one of leading critics of American businesses, consumer activist Ralph Nader.
Mr. Nader started his testimony by praising Mr. Kasich for having the guts to call the hearing in the midst of a presidential race.
“At a time when profiles in courage are very rare indeed,” Mr. Nader said, Mr. Kasich was willing to “tweak the beaks” of corporate America.
Mr. Nader called it the first comprehensive congressional hearing on the issue.
Mr. Kasich has raised only $1.6 million for his presidential campaign during the first six months of this year, a figure dwarfed by Texas Gov. George W. Bush's $36.2 million.
Mr. Kasich said large firms should not be getting special assistance from the government when mom-and-pop businesses on Main Street have to make do on their own.
Among the most notorious examples of corporate welfare, as described by Mr. Kasich, are:
• McDonald's receiving loan guarantees from the Overseas Private Investment Corp. to build restaurants overseas. • Programs that subsidize electricity in particular regions of the country.
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