Chris Murphy on Technology Senate Challenger; Democratic Rep. (CT-5)

Invest in local infrastructure & stronger Buy American laws

Bysiewicz proposed closing tax loopholes that encourage companies to set up shop overseas and making changes to NAFTA. She also advocated for more federal funding for scientific research and development. "It's that kind of investment that can help create jobs, and something that the federal government has not been doing, and should," Bysiewicz said.

Murphy proposed stronger "Buy American" laws, which would have the federal government buy more U.S.-made products. He also pitched in repairs to roads and rail lines, which he said would not only create construction jobs but also improve the local economy in general. "If you want to bring jobs to Connecticut, you have to focus on infrastructure," Murphy said. "As long as we're locked down in getting people and goods from the major economic hubs in New York and Boston, the jobs are locked out."

Massive infrastructure spending; great deals now

Bysiewicz said the economy will not fully recover until the housing crisis is dealt with. She favors a plan to charge a small tax on every securities transaction. Such a charge would generate $150 billion annually; she said she'd use the bulk of the money to provide mortgage relief to middle class homeowners. The rest would be invested in renewable energy projects, she added. Murphy said he also supports a transaction tax.

Permanent ban on state & local taxation of Internet access.

Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act of 2007 - Amends the Internet Tax Freedom Act to make permanent the ban on state and local taxation of Internet access and on multiple or discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce.

Related bills: H.R.743, H.R.1077, H.R.3678, S.156.