Issues
Read more about Congressman Cao’s ideas and accomplishments in these areas:
Crime & Corruption | Education | Health Care | Hurricane Recovery | Economy & Jobs
Crime & Corruption
Within the efforts to rebuild our community, the foremost concern must be addressing the problems of crime and corrupt leadership. As your Congressman, I have worked to coordinate and focus efforts at the federal, state, and local levels towards addressing these critical issues. Realizing the scope of the challenges that face our district, I have made it a priority that our community programs and local law enforcement agencies receive the support they need.
While working to fu
lly fund those initiatives aimed at eliminating crime and corruption, I have not forgotten the importance of fiscal stewardship. It is your money that the government is spending, and I have demanded that taxes be spent responsibly, and with respect given to the needs of the community.
Some have highlighted recent achievements as proof of our success, citing the more than $8 million secured to support efforts to rid our city of crime and corruption – but I assure you that this is only the beginning.
As a public servant it is not enough to be successful; you must achieve that success with your integrity and the trust of your constituents intact. Thus, my work on behalf of the 2nd District is guided by a set of core values that center upon personal honesty and public transparency. I know that we will only realize our full potential when we are able to ensure the safety of our citizens, as well as restore public confidence in our elected officials.
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Education
The state of our education system is unacceptable. For far too long our leaders have offered empty promises of education reform, benefiting only themselves and leaving our children with limited opportunities for success. I am steadfast in my commitment to the long-term comprehensive reform of our education system. Our historical neighborhood schools, along with our unique system of universities, provide us with the framework for what will be the engine of innovation and opportunity in Greater New Orleans.
It is important that we utilize all available options, including charter schools and other alternative methods. The successes experienced by current reform efforts should be supported and expanded upon. I will continue working to ensure that our school system is fully funded and provided with all necessary resources.
While there is no doubt that a rebuilt and revitalized school system can serve as the cornerstone of our district, but we must first change the tone of education within our community.
I am setting the goal of a 95% highschool graduation rate, with the majority of graduates pursuing higher learning.
We must champion quality education, and come together in our pursuit of progress and prosperity.
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Healthcare Reform
Over the past year, rising costs and a lagging economy brought healthcare reform to the forefront of the national debate. With the passage of a reform package now behind us, we must begin working to ensure greater access and affordability.
It is important to continue incorporating elements of market-driven models, better utilizing resources and driving down costs.
Our new approach to accessible and affordable care should be based on local solutions, patient-centered care, and high-quality healthcare options for Louisiana’s families. We should be able to provide every individual with a designated “medical home”, where primary care, basic testing, and professional referrals would be available.
We move forward with the opportunity to restructure and rebuild our healthcare system in a way that will better serve the needs of our community.
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Hurricane Recovery
Hurricanes are an unfortunate fact of life for members of our district. The destruction left by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita was of historical proportions, devastating our community and leaving many to question whether the New Orleans area could or would be rebuilt. And yet, in a relatively short period of time, we have made great progress in the rebuilding our community and way of life.
As we look to the future, working to revitalize our city, we must not overlook the lessons of our past. Restructuring the local, state, and federal emergency response process must be one of our foremost concerns.
Improving our system of storm barriers is vital to preserving our way of life, which means levees and canals must be fully upgraded, and serious investments must be made into coastal restoration and protection.
The people of Greater New Orleans, and surrounding areas, experienced the consequences of a flawed hurricane protection system and emergency response process firsthand. I am dedicated to making sure such an avoidable disaster never happens again.
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Economy & Jobs
The economic struggles of our district have only been worsened by the impact of the BP oil spill, leaving far too many in our area unemployed or under-employed. Encouraging sizable economic development in the New Orleans area will be a complex task, requiring improvements in many areas of our community.
While visualizing the long-term goal of sustained economic stability, policy should reflect the fact that so many of our working families are fighting to make ends meet. It is necessary that economic investment and job growth be promoted now, providing relief for those in need.
Lower taxes, higher wages, and improved infrastructure will provide the framework for a new economic environment founded not only upon tourism, but technological innovation as well.
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