TONI CASEY ANNOUNCES ECONOMIC POLICY

By Toni C. Casey

Challenges Her Opponents to Join Her in Demanding Fiscal Responsibility in Washington

"President Bush's tax cuts have restored growth and opportunity to the American economy, even in the face of terrorist attacks, war, and consumer pessimism," said Casey. "It is essential that the next Senator from California has a strong, unequivocal record of supporting tax cuts, as I do."

"While the President works to further economic growth and development, Barbara Boxer has continued her obstructionist polices in the Senate," said Casey. "She has repeatedly blocked tax reform, legal reform, and trade reform while our economy struggles."

While Casey fully supports making the President's tax cuts permanent, she expressed concern about the growing federal deficit and increasing federal spending. She cited as an example the omnibus appropriations bill that passed Congress and was signed by the President. The bill included over $11 billion worth of unauthorized and unrequested spending.

"I would have preferred to have seen President Bush veto the omnibus appropriations bill and hold Congress' feet to the fire," said Casey. "The federal government has no business spending $11 billion in pork barrel projects in the face of record budget deficits. I hope all of my Republican opponents will join me in calling for an end to this irresponsible behavior in Washington; it is time for Republicans to start acting like fiscal conservatives again."

Casey's economic growth plan includes:

• Bringing Federal Tax Dollars Back to California. Supports requiring California's federal tax receipts sent to Washington each year to be spent in California - for California's infrastructure, research facilities,education, and port, rail, and border protection. In 2002, Californians sent in excess of $58 billion more in tax receipts to Washington than the state received back in federal spending. Over the last sixteen years, the net deficit of tax receipts has reached $280 billion.

• Fiscal Responsibility. Support balanced federal budgets and eliminate the irresponsible pork barrel spending that has become "business as usual" in Washington.

• Tax Reduction. Make President Bush's tax cuts permanent including permanently eliminating the death tax, and fully eliminate the marriage tax penalty.

• Free Trade. Supports Trade Promotion Authority to allow the President to negotiate trade agreements, supports NAFTA, and supports China's membership in the World Trade Organization.

• Legal Reform. Supports legislation to end frivolous lawsuits and punish litigants who bring frivolous suits to court, and supports the Class Action Fairness Act.