While talking about campaign reform last night, Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) discussed an upcoming "disturbing" Republican fundraiser where anyone willing to contribute $250,000 will have lunch with the chair of a Senate or House committee and a photograph with Speaker Newt Gingrich.
For less money, the contributor will have lunch with a vice-chair of the committee of their choice.
"I guess you get a smaller picture of Newt also," Levin joked.
Levin used that blunt humor, along with updates on current legislation to discuss education, campaign finance reform and environmental issues to a crowd of more than 100 people at the Michigan Union last night.
The event was co-sponsored by the campus College Democrats and Environmental Action, a University student group.
Levin contended that when the 1994 legislators attempted to cut education funding, their constituencies reacted negatively.
"In 1994, there was an effort to make significant reductions in education," Levin said. "There was a tremendous reaction because people know the more education you have, the more likely it is you will do better income-wise."
In an age of close economic competition with many other countries, Levin said that education is essential to the nation's success.
"We must compete," Levin said. "We've got to have the same kind of skills that other countries have."
Currently, Levin said he is optimistic about bipartisan support of President Clinton's higher education plan. It would raise Pell Grant funding and either provide a $10,000 college tuition tax deduction or a $1,500 tax credit.
"It amounts to a 10-percent overall increase in federal funding for education," Levin said.
Levin's sentiments on college financing were well-received by many in the audience.
"I think he cares and he really wants to help students with loans," said Engineering first-year student Christine Bogaerts.
Another controversial issue Levin tackled last night was campaign finance reform. Levin said he can understand the public's anger about the topic.
"The repulsion is understood," Levin said. "We basically have no limits anymore."
Although limits exist on how much individuals can give to candidates, and companies are not allowed to donate money to candidates, Levin said there is a "soft money" loophole.
"You can give any amount of money to a (political) party," Levin said.
Levin, who said he spent $6 million on his campaign last year against Ronna Romney, said the political parties then transfer the funds to the candidates, with no limit.
But Levin said there is hope in the McCain-Feingold Senate bill, which he said would "create reform through voluntary action." The voluntary action includes an agreement by a candidate not to receive a certain amount of funds, and in return they will receive lower prices on television airtime and postage.
"I would do it in a New York minute," Levin said. "But we're not sure that this so-called voluntary action will do the job in all cases."
The audience urged Levin to discuss the environment, and he concentrated on one of his pet projects - the Great Lakes Initiative, a law that sets environmental standards for all eight states that border the Great Lakes.
The federal law went into effect Sunday, but only one state, Indiana, has complied with it.
"We're really trying to prod the states to do it right," Levin said.
If the states do not comply with the standards, Levin said the federal Environmental Protection Agency will intervene.
Levin said the initiative is important because if certain states have more lenient standards than others, more polluters will go to them.
Some students who are concerned about the environment said they were pleased with Levin's comments.
"I was impressed with the amount of environmental issues that are being discussed in the Congress," said LSA first-year student Kelley Boland, a member of the campus College Democrats. "Senator Levin is definitely working for the environment."
JOSH BIGGS/Daily
Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) talks with student groups last night in the MIchigan Union about campaign finance reform, education and national environmental policies.