Kerry Proposes Direct Aid To States To Help Economy

[arcos]

Kerry Proposes Direct Aid To States To Help Economy
Kerry Wants To Offer $25 Billion To Struggling States

POSTED: 2:35 p.m. EDT August 28, 2003

DURHAM, N.H. -- Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry on Thursday proposed sending $25 billion to states struggling with budget deficits as part of a broader plan to jump-start the economy and spur job creation.

The two-year State Tax Relief and Education fund would help states that have had to cut education spending and lay off police and firefighters under Bush administration policies that have "brought back the days of deficits, debt and doubt," Kerry said.

"When it comes to creating opportunity, restoring fiscal discipline, putting values back into our economy, and preparing for the jobs of the future, George Bush hasn't lifted a finger. I will move mountains," Kerry said at the University of New Hampshire, where he outlined an economic package that mixed new ideas with some old proposals.

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http://www.thebostonchannel.com/politics/2440818/detail.html

[molly]

1. I love it!

The state fund was one of several short-term proposals that Kerry would finance by repealing President George W. Bush's tax cuts for the top 1 percent of income earners.

Some of his Democratic rivals, Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, want to repeal the entire tax cut, an idea Kerry continues to criticize.

"Some in my own party are so angry at George Bush and his unfair tax cuts that they think the solution is to do the exact opposite," Kerry said. "They want to return to rejected old-style policies that eliminate all tax breaks, including those to working people."

Kerry said he would provide tax relief to middle-class families by keeping the child tax credit, reduced marriage penalty and lower tax rates that were part of the Bush package while lowering capital gains and dividend taxes for the middle class.

[blm]

2. Strengthen the working classes.

That's the Democratic way.

[styersc]

3. Not only is this brilliant in regards to being a boost to the economy...

...but Republican governors all over the country who are struggling to try to stay out of the red will have to love the plan as well.

This is a great start to a set of plans that will only get better and better.

Good to see that Kerry is taking the campaign to Bush, particularly on issues where Dems are historically strong.

[Karmadillo]

4. It will be interesting to see how the Dean/Kerry difference on

repeal of the tax cut plays out once the primaries are closer. Kerry might have the better argument on this one.

[HereSince1628]

5. This can be well justified to help "secure" the homeland.

There are all sorts of areas in which critical infrastructure, support of strategic industries, and direct assistance to first responders can be easily justified.

It is a position ALL the Democratic campaigns should consider. If I can support "triangulation" on ANYTHING, this is it.

[samurai_jack]

8. Ummm

Bob Graham proposed a major public works & infrastructure investment plan 7 weeks ago. Graham was the first to do and since then, Dean, Sharpton, and now Kerry.

Once again, Bob Graham proves himself ahead of the field. }(

[JVS]

6. Great Idea

[Parche]

7. And put the US first?

Nah I would rather continue sending $600 billion to Iraq
to help their country
After all do we really need that much here in the US?
Its not like we have homeless people, or starving people
or Vets that dont get medical attention or crumbling infrastructure
or failing schools..............sent it to Iraq

[RamboLiberal]

9. Here's story from LA Times

Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry unveiled his plan today to improve the economy, proposing to rescind some of President Bush's tax cuts to provide $50 billion to struggling states and offering tax credits to companies that create jobs.

Speaking at the University of New Hampshire, the Massachusetts senator blasted Bush's record on the economy, citing the loss of more than 3 million jobs under the Republican president's watch.

Despite signs of improvement, including figures released today showing solid growth in the gross domestic product during the second quarter of the year, Kerry insisted that the nation faced ''a fight for our economic future.''

He also sought to differentiate himself from some of his main rivals in the Democratic field, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean and Rep. Richard Gephardt of Missouri, who have called for repealing the broad sweep of tax cuts Bush has signed into law.

''Some in my own party are so angry at George Bush and his unfair tax cuts that they think the solution is to eliminate all tax breaks, including those to working people,'' Kerry said.

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-082803kerry_lat,1,6128227.story?coll=la-home-leftrail