New Jersey 2006 Senate Debate: on Tax Reform


Robert Menendez: Repealing the estate Tax only benefits the wealthiest 1%

Q: Should recent tax changes be made permanent?

KEAN: I believe NJ residents should not pay a single penny more in taxes until we have wholesale government reform. This means making the federal tax cuts permanent. I will fight to end the Marriage Penalty Tax for good, ensure that the Alternative Minimum Tax does not entrap the middle class and repeal the unfair Death Tax that penalizes hardworking people for the achievements of a lifetime.

MENENDEZ: Tom Kean Jr's solution is to make permanent President Bush's tax cuts to the wealthiest 1%-of which he is one. My opponent wants to eliminate the estate tax for the wealthiest one half of 1%-of which he is one, as well. I believe in fair and fiscally responsible tax cuts. I sponsored an amendment to protect middle-class families from the alternative minimum tax. I've supported tax cut packages that would have provided meaningful relief to families. If the cuts are made permanent, $2 trillion will be added to our debt over the next decade.

Source: Hall Institute N.J. Senate Virtual Debate [X-ref Kean] Sep 2, 2006

Thomas Kean Jr.: Repeal the unfair Death Tax & the Marriage Penalty Tax

Q: Should recent tax changes be made permanent?

KEAN: I believe NJ residents should not pay a single penny more in taxes until we have wholesale government reform. This means making the federal tax cuts permanent. I will fight to end the Marriage Penalty Tax for good, ensure that the Alternative Minimum Tax does not entrap the middle class and repeal the unfair Death Tax that penalizes hardworking people for the achievements of a lifetime.

MENENDEZ: Tom Kean Jr's solution is to make permanent President Bush's tax cuts to the wealthiest 1%-of which he is one. My opponent wants to eliminate the estate tax for the wealthiest one half of 1%-of which he is one, as well. I believe in fair and fiscally responsible tax cuts. I sponsored an amendment to protect middle-class families from the alternative minimum tax. I've supported tax cut packages that would have provided meaningful relief to families. If the cuts are made permanent, $2 trillion will be added to our debt over the next decade.

Source: Hall Institute N.J. Senate Virtual Debate Sep 2, 2006

  • The above quotations are from New Jersey Senate Virtual Debate - moderated by the Hall Institute, August to September 2006.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Tax Reform.
  • Click here for more quotes by Thomas Kean Jr. on Tax Reform.
  • Click here for more quotes by Robert Menendez on Tax Reform.
2008 Presidential contenders on Tax Reform:
Republicans:
Chmn.John Cox
Mayor Rudy Giuliani
Gov.Mike Huckabee
Rep.Duncan Hunter
Sen.John McCain
Rep.Ron Paul
Gov.Mitt Romney
Sen.Fred Thompson
Democrats:
Sen.Hillary Clinton
Sen.John Edwards
Sen.Mike Gravel
Rep.Dennis Kucinich
Sen.Barack Obama
Third Parties:
Green: Rep.Cynthia McKinney
Socialist: Brian Moore
Independent: Mayor Mike Bloomberg
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