Tag Archives: Haley Barbour

When I released my budget, I said that we needed to reinvest in Washington. I stated that we need to find a sustainable, long-term solution to funding what we care about most: our schools, our infrastructure, our health, and our environment. To that end, I proposed that we raise revenues in two major ways: by charging our state’s biggest polluters and by introducing a capital gains tax.

It is an ambitious plan, and it’s one I believe we need in order to move our state forward.

Yesterday, the House released its budget, and while we’re still reviewing the details, I support the general framework of their plan.

Here’s why:

This budget is fair. It includes capital gains as a revenue source that would raise millions by taxing a small group of the wealthiest Washingtonians. It also raises revenue by closing tax loopholes.

This budget is balanced. By introducing new revenue streams like the capital gains tax, it allows for increased investment in our schools, our health, and our infrastructure.

This budget invests in our people. It provides funding for early learning, a tuition freeze, and mental health services.

This is an approach I can support.

I’m disappointed that the House didn’t include my proposed carbon market program because we know that a healthy environment is one more investment in our future that we need to make. I’ll continue to advocate for programs that will reduce carbon pollution, and am glad that the House leadership committed to continue working on this measure as budget negotiations continue.

The important thing to know is this: For nearly half a decade, we’ve been cutting essential services and neglecting our duty to invest in the future. That stops now.

It’s time, once again, that we invest in Washington.

Very truly yours,

Jay Inslee

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Sen.Dick Durbin …

09/14/2011 Nativegrl77

Republicans won back the House by campaigning on jobs, jobs, jobs. Now, President Obama puts forward a real jobs plan, and what do we hear from them? First silence. Then complaints.

Truth is, many of them don’t want to boost the economy. That might interfere with their anti-Obama agenda and winning back the Senate. It’s cynical politics at its worst.

Scary thing is, if we don’t respond, their strategy could work. The Tea Party is engaged, Republicans are more determined than ever, and if we’re not challenging every attack, they will gain momentum. We saw in 2010 what GOP momentum looks like.

Fortunately, we have half a million grassroots donors and a strong plan to hold the Senate. You know that if we miss the goals to raise critical resources, we might lose seats we otherwise could have won. That’s why I know you’ll join me in helping the DSCC meet its crucial September goal.

It won’t be easy – it’s going to take all of us working together to hold the Senate. Karl Rove has teamed up with Haley Barbour and doubled his original Crossroads fundraising goal to more than $240 million. And we’ll also be fighting against laws passed by Republican governors – including Wisconsin’s Scott Walker and Florida’s Rick Scott – that will keep people from voting.

But if Republicans think we’re going to sit by and let them get away with it, they have another thing coming.
Democrats are investigating these undemocratic laws. And Rove’s Big Oil friends can’t hold a candle to our grassroots supporters. By meeting its fundraising goals, the DSCC can surpass its 2010 effort, knocking on 2 million doors, calling 5.5 million swing voters and running TV ads in nearly a dozen states. Every dollar you give helps make it happen.

You know how high the stakes are. If we lose four seats, our Democratic firewall is gone. Rick Perry, Eric Cantor and Jim DeMint would end Medicare, turn Social Security over to Wall Street, gut the EPA, slash education and defund Planned Parenthood. We’re not about to let them.

Can you give $5 or $10 today? The DSCC still needs $743,000 by its Sept. 30 deadline to protect our Democratic firewall and stop the Tea Party trio of Perry, Cantor and DeMint.

Republicans think they’ve got a winning plan. But here’s a newsflash: We’ve only begun to fight. Thanks so much for standing up for the Democratic values we both believe in.

Sincerely,

Sen. Dick Durbin