2012 Rhode Island Senate Debate: on Tax Reform

Barry Hinckley: Lower rates for families, lower rates for businesses

When asked about the 9-9-9 plan proposed by former presidential candidate Herman Cain, Hinckley said at least it's a new idea. "Our current tax code is four million words long. We need a new tax code to compete in the 21st century," Hinckley said. "We need lower rates for families, lower rates for businesses."

Whitehouse said Cain's plan, which called for nine percent income tax, nine percent capital gains tax and nine percent sales tax, would shift the tax burden to the middle class. "It's not a fresh idea, it's a lousy idea," Whitehouse said.

Sheldon Whitehouse: Tax code is broken, but flat tax is a lousy idea

When asked about the 9-9-9 plan proposed by former presidential candidate Herman Cain, Hinckley said at least it's a new idea. "Our current tax code is four million words long. We need a new tax code to compete in the 21st century," Hinckley said. "We need lower rates for families, lower rates for businesses."

Whitehouse said Cain's plan, which called for nine percent income tax, nine percent capital gains tax and nine percent sales tax, would shift the tax burden to the middle class. "It's not a fresh idea, it's a lousy idea," Whitehouse said.

Sheldon Whitehouse: $2T in new revenues, and $2T in cuts, to balance budget

Hinckley then criticized Whitehouse for being partisan. "How do you come to the middle when you vote with your leadership 96% of the time. If you don't like it, mark it up and send it back. This is an all-hands-on-deck situation." Hinckley then criticized the Bush and Obama administrations, calling them both "train wrecks." "My children are going to have to pay this back," he said.