 "Photo: Lindsay Kibler/The Penn")
Rob McCord, Democratic candidate for State Treasurer, visited IUP Tuesday to encourage students to consider their votes on all levels, not just presidential.
McCord was raised by a single mother who taught in Montgomery County. As the treasurer is in charge of teachers' pensions as well as financial aid, he felt it was important to talk to students about these issues.
"I care a lot about higher education and Indiana County, as well as economic development," McCord said. "There's a lot here with the new suites and Performing Arts Center."
He addressed his key concerns as a candidate. Helping students to get financial aid, creating more environmental green collar jobs, and protecting teachers' pensions are a few of McCord's priorities.
McCord said he intends to push for inflation control for students and parents of students who have invested in state-run college plans, such as 529 plans, tax-advantaged savings plan authorized by section 529 of the Internal Revenue code.
He expressed concern for graduates who are entering a market in which career and job opportunities are reduced and problems with student loans are unresolved.
His said his goal is to change those conditions within six months, strengthening the economy and creating opportunities in southwestern Pennsylvania.
One facet of McCord's plan is to create new green collar jobs that "cannot be outsourced," he said, and would "increase energy independency, thus reducing the cost of energy."
Another aspect is to help all seniors with retirement security, which McCord said affects students "whose taxes may be raised to help pay for the pension of seniors."
McCord asked for students to remember that their vote can positively affect the lives of people in Indiana County in these tough economic times.
He said he hopes that students will exercise their right to vote Nov. 4.
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