Political Quotes

“I rise to express my concern that the Senate may adjourn this week without extending the 2001 and 2003 tax relief provisions which are slated to expire on January 1. These tax laws include important reforms such as the 10 percent tax rate, relief from the marriage penalty, and the child tax credit. They provide tax relief to nearly 90 percent of all Mainers. If they are not extended, virtually every Maine family and many--indeed, most--of our small businesses will see their taxes increase. If these tax relief provisions are not extended, the typical American family of four with a household income of approximately $50,000 will see their taxes increase by about $2,900 next year. That is right. Coupled with tax increases that are included in the new health care reform law, which I opposed, the result would be one of the largest tax increases in our history. Many economists contend this is the worst possible time to increase taxes because our economy is so fragile. I fully agree. I cannot imagine anyone even contemplating increasing taxes in the midst of a recession. The consequences for small businesses would also be dire. Higher taxes would take critical investment dollars away, leaving less for innovation and expansion, not to mention employee wages and benefits. Raising taxes when the economy is still weak would make it difficult and in some cases impossible for small businesses to start, grow, and create jobs.”