Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

Governor Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) gave her first policy speech of the campaign today in Pittsburgh, focusing on policy adjustment for special needs children. Palin said the money politicians are extracting through earmarks for "pet projects" such as "fruit fly research in France" should be reallocated to "take care of the most vulnerable children." Mentioning motivation from "God's vision of perfection versus the world's vision of perfection," Palin said she would triple the funding for special needs children by 2011 if elected Vice President.

Palin stated that the public school systems are failing to render enough help for special needs children like her son, who has down’s syndrome. She spoke about federal funding to follow every special needs child without "bureaucratic complications or barriers". She pledged to "finally fully fund" the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as well as Individualized Education Programs. Palin said parents of children with disabilities have "enough complications already" and should have more options in schools for their children, whether they be private or public schools.

While Palin and Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) intend to "reduce taxes to promote growth" if elected, Palin scrutinized Senator Obama's (D-Ill.) plan to raise taxes because it would have "serious and harmful consequences" for parents of special needs children, who might lose funding for things like Special Needs Trusts.