Chris Coons on Tax Reform

Every extension of Bush tax cut adds to the deficit

COONS: I support extending the Bush tax cuts for the overwhelming majority of Americans. I don't think we should draw an arbitrary line at $250,000. But th value that I will apply as deciding how much to extend, whether it goes up to $1 million or $2 million, is that we've got a tough choice to make. Every increased tax cut, every extension that's given, is going to increase the deficit. The primary value I would apply in deciding whether to extend all the Bush tax cuts & for how long [is that] we should do those tax cuts that have the best chance of getting our economy going again.

O'DONNELL: You have said that you will stop the tax cuts for the so-calle rich. What you fail to realize is the so-called rich are the small business owner. small business owner, the dry-cleaner down the street, the pizza shop owner who makes $300,000 before they pay their four employees, before they feed their own family.

New approach to replace Bush tax cuts

"Congressman Castle has been in Congress for 18 years, and voting for indebtedness, borrowing, supporting the Bush tax breaks for the rich and bailing out Wall Street banks and now he tells a reporter that Washington should be managed better? He had the opportunity to reject the failed ideas of the past and he didn't--it is time for a new approach," said a Chris Coons campaign spokesperson. He added, "The open US Senate seat in Delaware is drawing national and international attention and for the first time Congressman Castle is going to have to account for saying one thing in Delaware and doing another in Washington."

Increase property & sewer taxes; layoff 75 county employees

The average annual property tax bill would rise by about $100 to $501. Coons' spending plan also calls for a 10% increase in sewer fees.

The overall budget reflects the impact of the recession, particularly in housing. Revenues from the statewide real estate transfer tax have plummeted as home sales swooned.

Coons' spending plan would trim personnel costs by $4.8 million, an amount he said could be achieved by laying off 75 to 100 employees. If layoffs are needed, they would occur across the board and include public safety services such as police & paramedics.

Coons said he is continuing to negotiate with the county's six unions to see whether they would accept furloughs or some other form of payroll reductions. So far, the unions have balked at Coons' proposed furloughs, suggesting that taxes instead be raised to save county jobs.

Undo tax cuts, according to CC survey.

The Christian Coalition inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Make Federal Income Tax Cuts Permanent ?' Self-description by Christian Coalition of America: "These guides help give voters a clear understanding of where candidates stand on important pro-family issues" for all Senate and Presidential candidates.