Sam Brownback on Economy

Brownback has a history of advocating lower taxes as well as reform of the existing tax system and has signed the Americans for Tax Reform pledge to oppose all tax increases. The Senator attributes the recent economic prosperity to the lower taxes enacted by recent Congresses. He supports a flax tax and requiring a super-majority for any tax increases passed by Congress. Brownbacks wants to repeal the estate tax. He has voted to remove trade barriers.

Flat tax:

Brownback believes America’s tax code is overly complex and burdensome, with Americans spend roughly $157 billion each year in tax preparation, to ensure they do not run afoul of the Internal Revenue Service. To solve this, he supports a flat tax concept that simplifies tax preparation, applies a low tax rate to all Americans.

Supermajority:

Brownback supported Senator Kyl (R-AZ) amendment in 1998 requiring a super-majority for raising taxes.

Tax cuts:

In 2006 Brownback voted to permanently repeal the estate tax.

In 2006 Brownback voted against $47B for the military by repealing capital gains tax cut. The funds would have been allocated as follows:

Brownback voted to extend the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends in 2005.

In 2003 he voted for the H.R. 2 Conference Report; Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, which included $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years.

He voted against reducing the marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates in 2001.

Minimum wage:

Brownback voted against raising the minimum wage to $7.25 rather than $6.25 in 2005.

In 2001 Brownback voted to repeal former President Clinton's ergonomic rules on repetitive stress. Specifically, Brownback supported a resolution to give no enforcement authority to ergonomics rules submitted by the Labor Department during the Clinton Administration. These rules would force businesses to take steps to prevent work-related repetitive stress disorders.

Trade:

Over the years, Brownback has voted to remove trade barriers.. This includes voting for the implementing CAFTA for Central America free trade agreement, as well as voting to open trade with dozens of other countries including Oman, Singapore, Chile, Vietnam, and China.

Directly from the candidate:

I have long championed both lower taxes and reform of the existing tax system, and recently signed the Americans for Tax Reform pledge to oppose all tax increases. Much of our recent economic prosperity is directly attributable to the lower taxes enacted by recent Congresses. I believe America’s tax code is overly complex and burdensome. Americans spend roughly $157 billion each year in tax preparation, to ensure they do not run afoul of the Internal Revenue Service. The system is desperately in need of reform. I support a flat tax concept that simplifies tax preparation, applies a low tax rate to all Americans, and respects the special financial burden carried by American families raising children.