(10 of 17)
Economists may have a reputation for being conservative, but Gordon, 72, a professor of "the dismal science," says he wants to increase environmental regulation and funding for national parks. A perhaps unwise position in this heavily seniored district is his desire to gradually cut Social Security payments and increase the eligibility age.
THE ISSUES Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion NO Guns YES Gays NO Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "If they want to cut costs, why have they passed a budget resolution that provides $12.4 billion more for defense than the Pentagon asked for?"
DAN MILLER (R) District 13
BORN: May 30, 1942, Highland Park, Mich. EDUCATION: U of Florida, B.S., 1964; Emory U, M.B.A., 1965; Louisiana State U, Ph.D., 1970 FAMILY: Wife, Glenda Darsey; two children RELIGION: Episcopalian MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Businessman; professor POLITICAL CAREER: U.S. House, 1992- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 743, Bradenton 34206. Tel.: 941-749-5522
A fiscal conservative and social moderate, Miller worked to scale back a proposed expansion in education funding in 1994 and supported the 1995 G.O.P. proposal to cut federal spending $894 billion. But he also voted for the assault-weapons ban and against a parental-notification rule for abortions. It's a record that is consistent with the conservative voting patterns of his district.
THE ISSUES
Budget YES Medicare YES Defense YES Abortion YES Guns NO Gays YES Bosnia YES NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "It is hard to get fiscal responsibility in education, because it sounds like you are arguing against motherhood and apple pie."
PORTER GOSS (R) District 14 (Southwest--Lee and Collier counties; Cape Coral; Fort Myers; Naples)
BORN: Nov. 26, 1938, Waterbury, Conn. EDUCATION: Yale U, B.A., 1960 FAMILY: Wife, Mariel; four children RELIGION: Presbyterian MILITARY: Army, 1960-62 OCCUPATION: Businessman; CIA agent; newspaper founder POLITICAL CAREER: Sanibel city council, 1974-80, mayor, 1975-77, 1981-82; Lee County commission, 1983-88; U.S. House, 1988- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 517, Fort Myers 33902. Tel.: 941-337-3445
Goss has run unopposed in two elections and handily won the other two. Along with the usual conservative Republican agenda, he secured construction this year of a veterans' hospital in Fort Myers for the more than 150,000 veterans in his district. And for his well-heeled coastal constituency, and perhaps the district's tourism economy, he fights against off-shore drilling.
THE ISSUES
Budget YES Medicare YES Defense NO Abortion YES Guns YES Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "The assault-weapons ban was a hoax perpetrated by special-interest groups who were trying to convince people that such weapons were involved in crime in this country."
JIM NOLAN (D) District 14