Issue Position: Graham Economic Plan

Issue Position

North Florida is still recovering from the recession and too many local families are still struggling to make ends meet, pay for healthcare costs, and save for their kid's college education. Instead of helping businesses grow and supporting middle class families in North Florida, Congress is playing political games. We need leaders who will work with both Republicans and Democrats to fight for commonsense economic policies like investing in public education and job training, balancing the budget, and making sure small businesses have an equal playing field with the big corporations. I will fight for an economy that strengthens middle-class families, working North Floridians, seniors, and our small businesses here at home.

Fighting to Put North Florida First
We are fortunate to have some amazing economic resources in our community that can help create good-paying jobs. From the military instillations in the second district to the miles of coastline that provide agricultural and tourism work, our area has many unique industries and small businesses that just need Congress to stop playing games so that they can do their work.

Work with local businesses to encourage military to private sector transitions by partnering with Veterans Affairs to help identify those with the skills that companies need.
Fight for military base funding to ensure that Tyndall Air Force base maintains its readiness and capabilities.
Protect our rivers, lakes, wetlands and coastal regions to promote our local agriculture and aquaculture and continue to expand growing local tourism.
Demand that the US Army Corps of Engineers protect our water from being diverted to other states.

Helping Middle Class Families
We have to start with our own backyard. I know how tough today's economy can be. As I travel throughout the Panhandle and Big Bend, I meet families who are working hard but still struggling just to make ends meet. A dollar doesn't go as far as it used to, but Congress can take the steps now to help strengthen the financial stability of families' right here in North Florida.

Incrementally raise the minimum wage with input from small businesses, working families, and economists. This would benefit 1.8 million Floridians including over 72,000 veterans.
Fight to pass Paycheck Fairness and ensure women receive equal pay for equal work. With Florida women earning only 83-cents on every dollar earned by a man for the same work, families are seeing money come out of their pockets for no reason.
Lower taxes for middle class families, by opposing burdensome tax increases like the $2,000 hike my opponent voted in favor of earlier this year.

Breaking Gridlock to Help Grow Our Economy
The reckless government shutdown cost our national economy 24 billion dollars and hurt Florida greatly. The shutdown was an abject failure of leadership. And while Washington politicians played the worst kind of politics, here at home our small businesses, veterans, seniors, and children were put at an unacceptable and completely unnecessary risk. Instead of finding ways to help small businesses and families, they took self-destructive action that has hurt North Florida. While they refused to fix the mess they made, members of congress had the audacity to continue to collect a paycheck while those at home suffered the consequences. I will work with both parties to stop future government shutdowns that put our economic security at risk while supporting policies that reflect North Florida values.

Work with Republicans and Democrats to get rid of corporate handouts and identify budget priorities for people, not special interests, like my father did during his time in Congress.
Support a presidential line item veto to help control wasteful Washington spending
Help balance the budget by taking steps like rewriting the tax code to eliminate loopholes that cost the country billions
Prohibit any member of congress from receiving a paycheck if congress forces a government shutdown or fails to pass a budget.

Educating our Workforce
I've seen the value a quality education can be for someone hoping to start the career of their dreams. Having worked for the Leon County Public School System and after having three children of my own, I know how important it is for a student to get all of the tools they need to succeed. Here in North Florida we have no shortage of hard working men and women eager to be on the job, but we need to provide more opportunities for people to get the training and education that will prepare them for the jobs they need.

Make college more affordable by reining in student loan rates and increasing funding for Pell Grants to bring more students to Florida State University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, and our community colleges
Foster relationships between these institutions and local industries to help employ and keep our graduates in the area.
Utilize our community colleges like Tallahassee Community College and Gulf Coast Community College along with local businesses to invest in on the job training.
Invest in vocational education in high schools to start students down the path of a new career early.

Foster Job Creation
For too long Congress has told people like you and me to play by the rules while giving our tax dollars away to special interests. We must end this wasteful spending and put a stop to corporations that have become freeloaders by forcing them to finally pay their fair share. But this will only happen when we elect leaders that aren't beholden to special interests and will take on the status quo in Washington.

Stand up for small businesses by offering Made in America tax breaks for companies that create jobs at home
Once and for all, end tax breaks for companies that ship job overseas
Close tax loopholes that corporations use to dodge paying their fair share of taxes
Ending bad trade deals with countries like China and India that steal our jobs

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