WEST CHESTER TWP. — Ohio schools this year will see an increase of about 26 percent in federal dollars to help reading programs, U.S. Rep. John Boehner said Monday, and he hopes to provide more funding next year.

        Mr. Boehner, R-West Chester, touched on topics ranging from education and welfare reform to Americans' attitudes toward terrorist threats.

        The federal government still is working on regulations to implement the “No Child Left Behind” education reform bill signed into law in January in Hamilton, he said.

        “The most significant thing that's about to happen is starting this fall, we believe. Children who are in schools that have already been labeled as needing improvement will be eligible for supplemental services, which means after-school programs, summer school programs, tutors,” Mr. Boehner said.

        Mr. Boehner, who is running for re-election, has breezed through all five of his previous re-election bids. The former West Chester Township trustee said he also hopes to one day be speaker of the House.

        On Monday, he also praised the progress of welfare reform, noting that more money will be earmarked for early childhood development education and care through Head Start and other programs to help single mothers.

        Mr. Boehner said work requirements will be increased from 30 to 40 hours to receive benefits. About 56 percent of the people who were on welfare in 1996, when the original welfare reform bill was signed by President Clinton, are now in the work force, he said.

        But 58 percent of those currently on welfare are not working for their benefits, he noted.

        “It's real important that people get into the work force somewhere and learn some skills,” he said. “You just aren't going to be on welfare the rest of your life. Breaking the cycle is very important.”

        “What we're doing with this next phase will be much more difficult,” he continued.

        " A pension bill that gives more control of 401K accounts to employees was passed in the House of Representatives last month. The bill also would require notification of “blackout periods” (the time when administration of a 401(k) switches from one vendor to another and changes in invest ment options are not permitted), time limits on blackout periods, and would prohibit company executives from moving stock around when there is a blackout.

        The move comes in the wake of the Enron scandal. Some 50 million to 60 million Americans have self-directed accounts but are ill-equipped to deal with decisions they need to make for long-term security, Mr. Boehner said.

        “We are going to see more and more employees moving into these self-directed 401K accounts, and it's very important they get good quality investment advice,” he said. “We're hoping the Senate gets off their duff and does something about the bill. They keep talking about it, but they haven't done anything.”

        Speaking about people who shrug off warnings about terrorist activity on U.S. soil, the congressman said: “They're asking for trouble. These terrorists want to ruin our way of life. ... They intend to do damage to us.”

        The congressman said the threats that have been publicized recently are credible and should be taken seriously. Yet he cautioned that citizens shouldn't be afraid to go about their daily lives — or the terrorists will win.

        Sue Kiesewetter contributed to this report.
       

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