Issues

Balancing the Budget

Taxes and Fiscal Policy

Energy

Immigration

 

 

Let’s Get Our Fiscal House in Order

Balancing the Budget:

Today we live in a nation that has lost its fiscal way. Out of control spending, new government programs, federal mandates and reliance of other nations to help us pay our way is putting the future of our children and grandchildren, and even our way of life, at grave risk.

Congress must stop deficit spending immediately. Deficit spending has created burgeoning debt to the tune of over $10 trillion dollars, and growing everyday. In order to reverse these destructive policies, I propose a simple solution that must be enacted immediately:

 

  • Pass a constitutional balanced budget amendment: Just as you and your family strive to ensure you are not spending more than you earn, so should the United States Congress. Members of Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment. This means that at the end of the federal fiscal year, the budget must be balanced. Laura served as the House Appropriations Chairman in 2001 – 2002. During this time of crisis, she led the state of Arizona out of a $1 billion budget deficit without raising taxes, and without procrastination. She knows how to balance a budget, and if elected she will fight to stop deficit spending.
  • Reduce spending: Reductions in spending can be accomplished by tightening our belt and going back to basics. Federal government programs have grown exponentially since the New Deal era and will only continue to grow as the baby boomer generation continues through retirement. Cutting unnecessary programs, reducing duplication and waste, and creating private sector and faith-based solutions will go a long way in meeting the nation’s constitutional needs and outstanding promises to its citizens.
  • Transparency in government: Transparency in the appropriations process is integral to stopping wasteful spending and holding elected officials accountable for their actions. Earmarks are often inserted into spending bills without scrutiny or even knowledge of lawmakers. This not only breeds more spending, but corrupts the system and those participating in it. Last November, I pledged not to support earmark spending or pursue pork barrel projects when elected to Congress. You can count on Laura to keep her word.

 

 

Taxes and Fiscal Policy

Laura believes that small business is the backbone of our nation. Federal policies and tax structure must be designed to encourage American innovation, entrepreneurship and creative solutions that meet world demands and allow us to compete here and abroad. During her 10 years at the Arizona State Legislature, Laura consistently championed tax relief for families and small business. In 2006, she successfully authored and pushed for a $390 million income tax rate reduction to encourage business retention and recruitment. As a matter of principle, Laura believes Americans should keep more of their hard-earned income and proudly signed the ‘Contract with Arizona’ in 1994 and each year in the legislature, Knaperek signed American for Tax Reform pledge for no tax increases. As a Congressional candidate, she also pledged no tax increases on the American people. Laura’s proposal will not only help with the expansion of business and jobs here in America, but will allow America to be a world leader in the global economy.

 

  • Reduction of the corporate income tax rate: America has the second highest income tax rate among industrialized nations. Only Japan’s corporate rate is higher. In order to compete in the global markets, the first order of business must be to substantially reduce the rate and encourage the states to do the same.
  • Eliminate the death tax: Family owned businesses cannot afford to pass on their business to the next generation. The combined taxes caused by the estate tax, or death tax to be more accurate, on all assets equals almost 50%. The effect of this bad policy is the death of family owned businesses, loss of employee jobs and a negative effect on the community where the closing occurs.
  • Reform personal income taxes:  The current personal income tax system needs to be flatter, making it fairer for all citizens. Reducing the IRS complex system will not only save taxpayers’ money, but it will allow all Americans to pay for the services government offers.  

 

 

ENERGY

Energy is a national security issue as well as an economic concern. With oil and gas prices surging, Americans are increasingly interested in reducing energy dependence and increasing diverse energy sources. A comprehensive plan of action for the short and long term is needed to meet the market demands in a cost efficient, responsible way, remembering that we must also be good stewards of our environment. 

 

  • Domestic exploration and increase refining capacity: Congress needs to lift restrictions and allow both production and exploration offshore and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Reducing regulation on the building of new and the expansion of existing oil refineries will go a long way to help with the production of the end product – gasoline. According to the Energy Information Agency, ANWR contains approximately 10.4 billion barrels of oil which would supply Arizona for 108 years.
  • Encourage development of alternative energy sources: Alternative energy sources other than the use of fossil fuels and nuclear must be encouraged. Some of the options include solar, wind, nuclear, clean coal and biofuels. Solar is especially promising as Arizona has more than its share of sunshine.
  • Nuclear expansion: In 1999, Laura toured the Bruce nuclear power plant in Ontario, Canada and learned that nuclear power is the second most efficient source of energy. Technological advances have allowed for clean and safe storage of nuclear waste.  Exploring the possibility of expanding Palo Verde in Arizona and promoting building new sites is needed to keep up with consumer demand and industry CO2 mandates. 

 

IMMIGRATION

Immigration is a real problem that must be addressed. In Congress, I will make it a priority.

 

It is a privilege to be a citizen of this great nation. And I believe there must a reasonable and predictable model for those with legitimate reasons to become a U.S. citizen. My grandparents, who emigrated from Italy, did so legally through Ellis Island. Maybe yours did, too. America, afterall, is a nation of immigrants and remains a beacon of freedom to the world.

 

But, the present immigration policy has failed the American people.

 

  • First, we must secure the border. Securing the border needs a multi-faceted approach from both physical and virtual fences, additional border patrol agents, National Guard presence and prosecution. Without the follow through of prosecution, the problem will never be fixed.
  • Once the border is secured, updating the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) is in order. The laws are outdated and have not been enforced for decades. We must utilize advanced computer technology to modernize and expedite the process. If individuals knew that the legal, proper process would require between a matter of months, instead of years, America would see a dramatic decrease in illegal immigration. The end goal must be reforming the system to match America’s economic needs.
  • Lastly, I do not support amnesty. I believe it is bad policy and sets the wrong precedent.