Chris Coons on Budget & Economy

TARP lending and SBA loans are positive & concrete steps

COONS: I'm not sure I understand what Ms. O'Donnell means that her primary objective would be to end the endless regulation and red tape. She denounces the Obama administration, says it's done nothing to promote job growth when frankly, just a few weeks ago, a new bill that would provide expanded SBA loan capacity, $30 billion worth of new lending capability, TARP funds that have been repaid, and are being repurchased towards small and midsized banks all over the United States. Real and concrete steps are being taken.

My county was one of only 30 earning Triple-A bond rating

COONS: No. It's not true that we proposed a tax on the calls to the 911 center. Today, New Castle County has a surplus. When I became executive in '05, it had a deficit. I have worked hard over six years to defend a very significant reserve, which has made it possible for us to continue to have a Triple-A bond rating. Out of roughly 3,000 counties in America, roughly 30 have a Triple-A bond rating, and I reached a bipartisan solution that cut more in spending than was raised in taxes.

O'DONNELL: You've been criticized for saying that you brought the county to Triple A bond rating. You inherited that good rating.

COONS: Each time you go to the bond market, you are re-rated. Moody's said that it was because of the conservative fiscal policies of my administration that we have re-earned a Triple A bond rating.

Bailout was done too fast and put billions at risk

The Democrat pitched himself as independent of his party in Washington, saying, "I would not have supported the bailout," because he said it was done too fast and "put hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars at risk."

Supports the stimulus bill.

Faith2Action.org is "the nation's largest network of pro-family groups." They provide election resources for each state, including Voter Guides and Congressional Scorecards excerpted here. The Faith2Action survey summarizes candidate stances on the following topic: 'American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the stimulus bill) '