Kagen Backs Balanced Budget
(Washington, DC) — Congressman Steve Kagen, MD today voted for the 2009 Budget Resolution, backing a balanced budget that includes sound investments in energy, education, and infrastructure, tax relief for middle-class families, and guaranteed benefits for military veterans.
“Wisconsin families work hard and live within their means,” Kagen said. “Congress should, too.”
Kagen voted for the balanced budget bill projected to turn around the deficit spending of the current administration and reach a surplus by 2012. The budget contains no tax increases while promoting renewable energy, clean fuel technology, and energy efficiency. It features education and innovation investments to generate economic growth and new jobs, makes college more affordable for working families, and invests in the nation’s infrastructure by repairing crumbling roads, bridges, transit, airports, and schools.
In addition, the balanced budget bill supports significant tax relief, including extensions of marriage penalty relief, the child tax credit, and the 10-percent bracket, as well as allowing for estate tax reform. It includes an additional year of Alternative Minimum Tax relief. And it provides for property tax relief, as well as energy and education tax relief.
Kagen said the bill will help make the nation safer by funding national defense, guaranteeing veterans the quality health care they deserve, and protecting the homeland by rejecting President George W. Bush’s proposed cuts in law enforcement, the COPS program, firefighters, and other first responders.
