BOB KERREY’S LONG LOVE AFFAIR WITH HIGHER TAXES
In another attempt to reconnect with the Cornhusker State, liberal New York Democrat Bob Kerrey is telling Nebraskans that he supports tax relief for middle class families, yet while in the Senate he supported a healthcare proposal that hit every Nebraska worker with a new tax.
Kerrey sponsored a healthcare bill – the Health USA Act of 1991 – that was paid for by a 5 percent tax increase on small business owners, a 4 percent tax increase on employers per employee and a 1 percent tax increase on every working American.
The final tally for Kerrey’s healthcare bill was $235 billion in new taxes and remarkably he admitted on CSPAN that it would take a lot of time – particularly in Nebraska – to argue for these tax increases.
“Bob Kerrey hasn’t met a tax increase he didn’t like, which is why his latest ploy of claiming he supports tax relief for families is falling on deaf ears in Nebraska,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Jahan Wilcox.
BACKGROUND …
Kerrey’s Health Care Plan Included $235 Billion In New Taxes
KERREY: “Well, This Bill Has Me Replacing One Method Of Payment, Premiums, With $235 Billion Worth Of Taxes. … This Will Take A Great Deal Of Time, Particularly In Nebraska, To Argue The Details Of It.” (C-SPAN, 7/17/91)
Kerrey’s Plan Levied A 1% Surtax On Every American Worker. “In addition to the taxes imposed by the preceding subsections, there is hereby imposed on the income of every individual a tax equal to 1 percent of the wages (as defined in section 3121(a)) received by such individual after December 31, 1992, with respect to employment (as defined in section 3121(b)).” (S. 1446, Introduced 7/11/91)
Kerrey’s Plan Levied A 4% Tax On Employers Per Employee. “In addition to the taxes imposed by the preceding subsections, there is hereby imposed on every employer an excise tax, with respect to having individuals in such employer’s employ, equal to 4 percent (5 percent, if an election is in effect as described in section 3101(c)(2)) of the wages (as defined in section 3121(a)) paid by such employer in excess of $30,000 during each calendar year beginning after December 31, 1992, with respect to employment (as defined in section 3121(b)).’.” (S. 1446, Introduced 7/11/91)
Kerrey’s Plan Levied A 5% Tax On The Self-Employed. “In addition to the taxes imposed by the preceding subsections, there shall be imposed for each taxable year, on the self-employment income of every individual, a tax equal to 5 percent of the amount of the self-employment income for such taxable year.’.” (S. 1446, Introduced 7/11/91)
Kerrey’s Plan Increased Marginal Tax Rates. “IN GENERAL- The tables in subsections (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) of section 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to tax imposed) are each amended by striking ‘31%’ and inserting ‘33%’ each place it appears.”
Kerrey’s Bill Included Tax Increases On Cigarettes And Alcohol. (S. 1446, Introduced 7/11/91)
