Tag: Erik Paulsen

Republicans passed their tax bill. Now they’re spending $10 million to promote it.

The following article by Mike DeBonis was posted on the Washington Post website January 3, 2018:

A nonprofit group with ties to Republican congressional leaders is broadcasting TV ads to promote the GOP tax bill and those who voted for it. (American Action Network)

Two weeks ago, Republicans passed their massive rewrite of the federal tax code. Now a GOP group is spending millions to convince voters they will benefit from it.

The American Action Network, a nonprofit group with close ties to Republican congressional leaders, is launching a $2 million round of TV ads promoting the tax bill Wednesday, the first salvo in a $10 million campaign to give key House Republicans a boost going into November’s midterm elections.

The ads, running in 23 districts, feature a couple sitting on their couch extolling the benefits of the bill — “will save a typical family more than $2,000”; “helps create jobs and boost middle-class income” — and thanking the local lawmakers for their votes.

So far, the public is not sold. Several public polls released last month, including surveys from CNN and the Wall Street Journal/NBC News show that pluralities of Americans oppose the GOP tax bill, citing its benefits for corporations and the wealthy. Many Americans, the polls show, believe they will see a tax hike under the bill — not a tax cut.

The centerpiece of the $1.5 trillion bill is a dramatic cut in the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. Many business owners, meanwhile, will be entitled to a new 20 percent deduction on their business income, and wealthy Americans will see more of their assets sheltered from the federal estate tax. Wage earners see comparatively scant benefits — a larger standard deduction and child tax credit, as well as modestly lower income-tax rates, all of which will expire after 2025.

Democrats have been eagerly pointing to the outsize benefits for corporations and top earners, but Republican leaders believe that the public will warm to the bill once they see the benefits. For instance, employers are expected to start withholding less income tax from employee paychecks starting in February. “If we can’t sell this to the American people we ought to go into another line of work,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said after the Senate vote.

Republicans are forging ahead with their promise to overhaul the tax code, even with very little public support for their proposal. (Video: Jenny Starrs/Photo: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

ut sell it they must, said Corry Bliss, who runs the American Action Network and its affiliated super PAC, the Congressional Leadership Fund. Amid major head winds for Republican candidates this year, his theory for doing so is simple: Lawmakers must make the case to voters that they have made a difference in everyday lives, and “grand economic theory” about boosting economic growth won’t get it done.

“It has to be connected to the individual,” he said Tuesday. “People care about themselves and their family, and they will reward people who are looking out for them and they will punish people who are not looking out for them.” Continue reading “Republicans passed their tax bill. Now they’re spending $10 million to promote it.”

Reciprocal conceal and carry will allow more guns

To the editor:

This month, the House of Representatives passed HR 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. The companion bill in the Senate is S 446. This bill would force Minnesota to allow anyone who has a conceal carry permit from another state to carry in Minnesota – regardless of the requirements, or lack thereof, from the home state. For example, consider the laws in Georgia. That state recommends, but does not require safety training and exempts license holders from NICS background checks when buying a gun for the five-year duration of the license. Currently, a total of 19 states do not allow Georgia conceal carry license holders to carry in their state – including Minnesota. Continue reading “Reciprocal conceal and carry will allow more guns”

Live: How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill

NOTE:  Rep. Erik Paulsen voted FOR the GOP tax bill, as he did for the GOP health insurance bill.  Both didn’t put the interests of the majority of his constituents first, but those of the ultra rich and large corporations.

The following article by Sarah Almukhtar, Audrey Carlsen, K.K. Rebecca Lai, Blacki Migliozzi, Alicia Parlapiano, Jugal K. Patel and Rachel Shorey was posted on the New York Times website December 19, 2017:

Live: How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill

The House voted on Tuesday to pass the Republican tax overhaul bill. The Times tracked how every representative voted, live from the House chamber.

Continue reading “Live: How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill”

Why I’m opposed to the ‘Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’

To the Editor:

I recently called Rep. Erik Paulsen’s office, regarding H.R.1 — the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,” urging him to vote against this act.  I would have preferred to present my views in a town hall meeting, but since Rep. Paulsen does not hold open public meetings where constituents can publicly express their views on legislation, I’ll share them here.

They jobs act that Rep. Paulsen supports and voted for creates no jobs but will transfer US treasury dollars to the top 1-percent earners by increasing taxes on the middle class.  If signed into law, it will basically re-distribute wealth from the middle class to the super rich. Continue reading “Why I’m opposed to the ‘Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’”

What happened to Erik Paulsen, deficit hawk?

To the Editor:

On April 15, 2011, Congressman Erik Paulsen issued a press release with the headline, “Paulsen Votes to Reduce Deficits, Pay Down the Debt.”  In the release, he touted his votes in favor of the federal government living within its means and the importance of fiscal responsibility.

Fast forward to 2017 and now we observe that Paulsen is a strong advocate for the GOP tax bill that is about to become law.  He used his powerful position on the Ways and Means Committee to help craft it; he tweets about it daily; and he speaks passionately in favor of it in local and national interviews. Continue reading “What happened to Erik Paulsen, deficit hawk?”

Paulsen not entitled to his own facts

To the Editor:

Congressman Erik Paulsen released the following statement following the House of Representatives passed (sic) of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

“After more than 31 years, the House passed tax reform that will allow our economy to grow and benefit American individuals, families, and businesses,” said Paulsen.  “Tax reform for me is about one thing:  Restoring the hope for a prosperous future for ourselves, our parents, and — most importantly — our children.”

Paulsen to varying degrees, has committed to “alternative facts.” Continue reading “Paulsen not entitled to his own facts”

The House passed a dangerous gun bill

The extremely conservative U.S. House of Representatives has passed a terrible bill. It would actually make it legal for more dangerous and untrained people to carry loaded, hidden guns in more public places in every state. Only six Democrats voted yes. This government body would allow concealed-and-carry permit holders from other states that have lax gun-violence prevention laws to carry in Minnesota. Many of these states don’t even require permits to carry a gun. These Republicans are bending to the will of the gun lobby and considering a bill that will weaken our gun laws and make us less safe.

It’s hypocritical of Republicans who argue against federal government overreach to undermine the rights of states to set their own rules against gun violence. America’s worst gun laws would become law of the land. The Supreme Court has said states can regulate guns for lawful users. Continue reading “The House passed a dangerous gun bill”

Tax you twice, ain’t it nice?

To the editor:

Under current law, you don’t have to pay federal income tax on money that you paid for state and local taxes — money that buys things like police, streets, schools.

Our representative to the United States Congress, Erik Paulsen, thinks that’s wrong. He voted this month for a tax law change that will make you pay federal income tax on some of the money you already spent on state and local taxes.

He wants to tax you twice.  Won’t that be nice? Continue reading “Tax you twice, ain’t it nice?”

Minnesotans, don’t forget about the tax bill

The following commentary by Lori Sturdevant was posted on the StarTribune website November 17, 2017:

Franken news is just one of the big things going on.

There’s never a good time, I suppose, to learn that one’s U.S. senator groped a sleeping woman while mugging for a camera. Still, it was particularly irritating to be interrupted with the news about U.S. Sen. Al Franken on Thursday just as the U.S. House was passing a mammoth tax bill that’s skewed against Minnesota and other high-tax/high-services states.

How’s an editorial writer supposed to summon readers to think high-minded tax policy thoughts when the day’s news is about other body parts?

That’s not a plea for pity — not entirely, anyway. It’s also a lament on behalf of the 250 people who crammed into the Minnetonka City Council chamber Wednesday night to hear from three DFLers who want to replace one of the architects of the House’s tax bill, five-term Republican U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen of Minnesota’s Third Congressional District. Continue reading “Minnesotans, don’t forget about the tax bill”

Minnesotans raise alarms about tax bill

The following article was posted on the Workday Minnesota website November 26, 2017:

Recently, retired union members and friends brought their concerns about tax fairness and threats to Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security to Republican Congressman Erik Paulsen’s office. Photo courtesy of Minneapolis Regional Retiree Council

EDEN PRAIRIE — Union members in Minnesota are among those raising objections as the U.S. Senate prepares to vote on legislation to cut taxes, threatening important public services and providing handouts to the wealthy.

A vote could take place in the Senate as soon as Nov. 30, according to several media sources. The House has already passed its own bill.

Recently, retired union members and friends brought their concerns about tax fairness and threats to Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security to Republican Congressman Erik Paulsen’s office. In an action organized by the Minneapolis Regional Retiree Council, a small group of Paulsen’s constituents delivered a letter to his office in Eden Prairie, while over 60 other people bannered at the street corner outside. Continue reading “Minnesotans raise alarms about tax bill”