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Jim Baird on Budget & Economy
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Pass balanced budget; cut red tape; reduce regulations
Q: Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.A: Strongly Agree
Q: Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
A: Strongly Agree.
Q: What role should government play in boosting the economy?
A: Jobs are created in the private sector and not by the government.
The government should work to allow the free market to take hold by cutting red tape and reducing burdensome regulations.
A tax code that allows for job growth and small business success is key. Government must also eliminate crony capitalism by ending the process of high paid lobbyists working to get special deals for specific companies and industries.
Source: Heritage Alliance iVoterGuide on 2018 House IN-4 race
, Sep 9, 2018
A balanced budget is possible; cut government spending
"I see the budget process similar to what we've done in the state," said Baird. "We have a balanced budget and we have all the challenges of all the services that you're trying to cover. And yet you've got to be realistic. You can't borrow money for
years on end. You can't borrow 40% of what you're trying to pay each day. "I think our goal ought to be to reduce government spending and make that a balanced process for the country's sake because the taxpayers will end up paying."
Source: Kokomo Perspective coverage of 2018 IN-4 House race
, Feb 24, 2018
Supports GOP principles of small government & lean spending
Based on his four terms at the statehouse, Baird said he hoping to apply Indiana Republican principles like small government, lean spending, tax reform and encouragement of entrepreneurship to
Washington, D.C. "The government should be the most stable entity in an economy. It should cover the things it needs to and do it cheaply," Baird said.
Source: Times-Sentinel coverage of 2018 IN-4 House race
, Dec 6, 2017
Voted YES on $900 billion COVID relief package.
Baird voted YEA Consolidated Appropriations Act (COVID Relief bill)
NPR summary of HR133:
- $600 checks for every adult and child earning up to $75,000, and smaller checks if earning up to $99,000.
- Unemployment: extend enhanced benefits for jobless workers, $300 per week through March.
- Rental assistance: $25 billion to help pay rent; extends eviction moratorium until Jan. 31.
- SNAP assistance: $13 billion for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- PPP loans: $284 billion for Paycheck Protection Program loans, expanding eligibility to include nonprofits, news/TV/radio media, broadband access, and movie theaters & cultural institutions
- Child care centers: $10 billion to help providers safely reopen.
- $68 billion to distribute COVID-19 vaccines and tests at no cost.
- $45 billion in transportation-related assistance, including airlines and Amtrak.
- $82 billion in funding for schools and universities to assist with reopening
- $13 billion for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program for growers and
livestock producers.
Argument in opposition: Rep. Alex Mooney (R-WV-2) said after voting against H.R. 133: "Congress voted to spend another $2.3 trillion [$900 billion for COVID relief], which will grow our national debt to about $29 trillion. The federal government will again have to borrow money from nations like China. This massive debt is being passed on to our children and grandchildren. With multiple vaccines on the way thanks to President Trump and Operation Warp Speed, we do not need to pile on so much additional debt. Now is the time to safely reopen our schools and our economy. HR133 was another 5593-page bill put together behind closed doors and released moments prior to the vote."
Legislative outcome: Passed House 327-85-18, Roll #250, on Dec. 21. 2020; Passed Senate 92-6-2, Roll #289, on Dec. 21; signed by President Trump on Dec 27 [after asking for an increase from $600 to $2,000 per person, which was introduced as a separate vote].
Source: Congressional vote 20-HR133 on Jan 15, 2020
Opposed $1.9 trillion ARPA bill for COVID relief.
Baird voted NAY American Rescue Plan Act
This bill provides additional relief to address the continued impact of COVID-19 on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals, and businesses:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program);
- schools and institutions of higher education;
- child care and programs for older Americans and their families;
- COVID-19 vaccinations, testing, treatment, and prevention;
- emergency rental assistance, homeowner assistance, and other housing programs;
- payments to state and local governments for economic relief;
- small business assistance, including restaurants;
- and state capital projects that enable work, education, and health monitoring in response to COVID-19
Rep. Kevin McCarthy in OPPOSITION (3/11/21): The so-called American Rescue Plan imposed a $1.9 trillion new burden on American families. Despite being branded as 'COVID relief,' only 9% of funds in this bill actually goes to
defeating the virus, and almost half of the money, including more than 95% of the education funds, will not be spent until 2022 or later. After a year of struggle and sacrifice, students and parents get no answer to the vital question of when they can expect schools to reopen full time. President Biden wants Americans to believe 'help is on the way.' But under this bill, it isn't; waste is.
Biden Administration in SUPPORT (2/26/21): ARPA provides the tools and support critical to tackle the urgent public health and economic crises the Nation faces as a result of COVID-19. The bill also provides eligible Americans with a $1,400 payment in addition to the $600 payment provided in December of 2020. The bill also extends key emergency unemployment benefits, and raises the minimum wage to $15 per hour.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 219-212-1 on 2/27/21; passed Senate 50-49-1 on 3/6/21; signed by President on 3/11/21.
Source: Congressional vote 21-HR1319 on Feb 27, 2021
Page last updated: May 28, 2022; copyright 1999-2022 Jesse Gordon and OnTheIssues.org