The Online Office of Congressman Gus Bilirakis

Jobs

"Last year, Florida lost more than 100,000 jobs. Any stimulus bill must focus on creating jobs and providing tax relief to Americans, not wasteful government spending. This is precisely why I voted in favor of the House Republican Economic Recovery Plan.

"The best way to encourage economic growth is to allow American taxpayers to keep more of their own money to spend. We should be enacting fast acting tax relief which would create jobs and lower the tax burden on working families and small businesses.

"House Republicans have offered an economic recovery plan that will create twice the jobs at half the cost for hard working Americans. The plan does not include wasteful pet projects and it ensures that the funding immediately goes into effect.

"I want to hear what you have to say about this important issue. Please join in the conversation by leaving your comments here and signing up to receive email updates."

What the Plan would do for constituents of the 9th District of Florida:

Population: 740,463

Jobs Created Under the House GOP Alternative in Florida: 359,000

Constituents who would benefit from GOP proposal to reduce the 10% Tax Bracket to 5%: 259,682

Constituents who would benefit from GOP proposal to reduce the 15% Tax Bracket to 10%: 200,173

Small Businesses in Florida that would benefit from GOP proposal to provide a 20% Tax Cut to Small Employers: 1.9 million

Immediate Tax Relief for Working Families: Rather than a refundable credit based on payroll taxes, This plan would reduce the lowest individual tax rates from 15% to 10% and from 10% to 5%. As a result every taxpaying-family in America will see an immediate increase in their income with an average benefit of $500 in tax relief from the drop in the 10% bracket and $1,200 for the drop in the 15% bracket. A married couple filing jointly could save up to $3,200 a year in taxes.

Real Help for America’s Small Businesses: Small businesses (those employing less than 500 individuals) employ about half of all Americans, yet they can be subject to tax rates that siphon away one-third or more of their income. This plan would allow small business to take a tax deduction equal to 20% of their income. This will immediately free up funds for small businesses to retain and hire new employees.

Stabilizing Home Values: The real-estate market is paralyzed as potential buyers wait on the sidelines waiting for prices to fall even further. This is becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. In order to encourage responsible buyers to enter the market and stabilize prices, This proposal includes a home-buyers credit of $7,500 for those buyers who can make a minimum down-payment of 5%.

No Tax Increases to Pay for Spending: The stimulus proposal pending in Congress includes record levels of government spending that will substantially increase the current deficit. This level of spending will result in new tax increases on American working families. Any stimulus package should include a provision precluding any tax increases now or in the future to pay for this new spending. Any stimulus spending should be paid for by reducing other government spending, not raising taxes.

Assistance for the Unemployed: Incredibly, the Federal Government actually imposes income taxes on an individual receiving unemployment benefits. House Republicans propose to make unemployment benefits tax free so that those individuals between jobs can focus on providing for their families. The plan would also extend unemployment benefits for a full year.

Rep. Bilirakis Introduces Economic Stimulus Bills

Bilirakis Blog | Gus Urges Action on Economic Stimulus