The Daily Southerner, Tarboro, NC

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  • Mears Pitt, president of Ace Home Care helps customer Moses Worsley.

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  • (From left to right) Luciana Lewis, franchisee owner of Liberty Tax Services and Charlene Broadnax, day officer manager.

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February 17, 2012

Locals react to President's budget

Staff Writer Mayah Collins

TARBORO — President Obama's budget request for fiscal 2013 has sparked a reaction from Republicans, who are in opposition and Democrats, who are in favor of the proposal.   

The administration says the budget plan is designed to support domestic job creation, modernize infrastructure and raise revenue with fairer taxes.

A vast majority of small business owners in Tarboro were given the opportunity to comment concerning this matter. Many declined because of the fear of jeopardizing their business by taking a stance on taxes.

More investments in small businesses will help with the nation's economic growth, and therefore, offer more jobs to Americans, said Luciana Lewis, franchise owner of Liberty Tax Services.   

"As a small business owner, I'm glad to know that Congress and President Obama are doing what they can to help keep the small businesses afloat," Lewis said. "I don't have any problem with the government using tax revenue to help stimulate the economy, but small businesses help stimulate the economy and force more spending into the local communities."

 "I do feel that more money should be put into small business management and ownership, because the more small businesses you have, the more it will help stimulate the economy with purchasing power and buying power," she added.

Mears Pitt, president of Ace Home Center, is all for the idea of closing corporate loopholes, investing in infrastructure, and having tax deductions that will create jobs — but he does have his doubts.

"I am skeptical that it will work," he said. "I am for it, but I am very skeptical that it will actually work because the president is a Democrat and Congress is Republican. Whatever he wants, Congress usually tries to block. It's very difficult right now to get something passed and through the federal government right now. If it does work, I think it will help the economy. I am for fairer taxes, ending tax reductions for shipping jobs overseas and closing corporate loopholes. If we could keep jobs here in the United States, it would pay more people money and therefore, the economy would get better, that's just my opinion."

On a national level, Republican concerns are that the president's plan would add $1.3 trillion to the deficit in 2013, and raise $1.5 trillion in new taxes in the span of 10 years.

"President Obama says he wants an economy that is 'built to last' but the budget he released today (Monday) outlines a plan that is built to come in last," Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., said. "The economy we need is an economy built to grow — one that encourages small businesses, entrepreneurs, innovators and inventors to take a risk, succeed and create jobs."

Contrarily, Democrats view the plan as "fair" and "responsible."  

"President Obama has laid out an innovative blueprint for restoring opportunity for all Americans and for constructing an economy that is built to last," Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said. "The budget is balanced, fair and responsible and is an investment in our economic, in job creation, and in a stronger, thriving middle class."

The president's budget consists of $350 billion spent on job programs, $476 billion in infrastructure projects and $2.2 billion in manufacturing research and development.





 

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