Economy, Federal Spending & Taxes

In the United States Senate,  Lisa Murkowski has earned the reputation of a tough fiscal conservative who will always fight for the Alaska taxpayer.  She has fought wasteful spending, including last year's so-called economic stimulus bill; cosponsored legislation to end the TARP program; and consistently voted to keep money in the pockets of the American people and in the economy where it can create jobs.  She has done so because she knows that allowing Alaskans to keep more of their hard earned dollars will do more to bring about long-term economic growth and investment than any  solution developed in Washington.  Instead of finding new ways to spend taxpayer money, Sen. Murkowski believes that Congress should focus on eliminating unnecessary spending; creating an environment where the American entrepreneurial spirit can thrive; opening up new markets for U.S. exports; and ensuring taxes on U.S. families and businesses are low and allow U.S. companies and workers to compete in the global marketplace. 

While Alaska has fared better than most of the Lower 48 through the financial crisis, it is not immune to the effects of the economic downturn.  Last year, Alaska's 21-year streak of job gains was broken as 2,100 jobs were lost.  Many Alaskans also saw the value of their investment portfolios take a dive.  As the world markets tumbled, so did the savings and retirement funds of Alaska's Main Street.  And while the state has not seen the dramatic numbers of foreclosures that are present in other areas of the country, foreclosures are up - particularly in the Mat-Su Borough - and many families have seen the value of their greatest asset, their home, decline. 

The federal government has unique responsibilities in Alaska, due to its enormous land holdings, the vast military presence, and the large populations of veterans and Alaska Natives to whom the government has certain obligations.  In the U.S. Senate, Lisa Murkowski has fought to ensure that the federal government lives up to these responsibilities with adequate funding.  However, she understands that the federal government itself does not create wealth.  The American people, through their hard work and ingenuity, are the ones responsible for our nation's boom times and who build prosperity.  It is time to get serious about getting our economy restarted, and Sen. Murkowski believes we should begin by making it easier for companies to innovate, compete and employ more Americans.  In the Senate, Sen. Murkowski is leading the charge against harmful new EPA regulations that could raise the price of energy and the cost of doing business.   She has supported proposals to provide tax incentives for companies to hire unemployed workers and cosponsored legislation to create a first-time homebuyer tax credit to address the weakness in the housing market.  Sen. Murkowski believes that Congress should focus on fostering innovation and creating a level playing field that enhances competition and makes it fair for businesses of all sizes.

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December 2010
November 2010
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August 2010
June 2010
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