Parry Calls On Walz To Support Responsible Payroll Tax Holiday Extension

Waseca- As Congress debates extending the payroll tax holiday, Congressional candidate Mike Parry today called on Congressman Tim Walz to support an extension of the payroll tax cut that does not add to the deficit or raise taxes on other Americans. The current payroll tax cut, which expires at the end of this year, saves hard working middle class Americans around $1,000 a year. Washington Democrats have insisted that the temporary extension of this tax cut should be paid for through permanent tax increases.

"The problem with Washington is that Democratic politicians think it's acceptable to hold middle class tax cuts hostage in exchange for reckless, job-killing tax hikes on others," said Mike Parry, candidate for Congress. "Our government is broke and our economy is sputtering because of irresponsible actions by Washington politicians. It's time for Congressman Walz to do the right thing and extend these middle class tax cuts by cutting wasteful spending."

About The Payroll Tax Holiday

• The current payroll tax cut, which cut the Social Security payroll tax from 6.2% to 4.2%, expires on December 31, 2011.(David Espo, "John Boehner: Payroll Tax Cut Extension Must Be Paid For," Associated Press,  Nov. 30, 2011)
• This saves the average worker earning $50,000 a year around $1,000. ("Next moves unclear on payroll tax cut extension," Associated Press, Dec. 1, 2011)
• Democratic politicians want to pay for this temporary tax cut through permanent tax hikes on others. (Richard Rubin and Steven Sloan, "Payroll Tax Cut Debate Shifts to Squabble Over How to Cover Cost," Bloomberg, Nov. 30, 2011)
• Extending the tax cut is expected to cost $112 billion, an amount that can be paid for by reducing wasteful spending by Washington politicians. (Alan Frum, "House Speaker says any extension of payroll tax cut must be paid for with budget savings," Associated Press, Nov. 30, 2011)

Washington Walz Endorses Tax Hikes

• Walz: Raising Taxes on Minnesota Families is "The Right Thing to Do." WALZ: "So a hundred of us said let's fix this once and for all, let's don't go through this every three months, let's don't talk to the brink of things and let's go at this to have a long term plan to reduce the deficit by $4.2 trillion in a balanced approach, and that garnered 40 Republicans and 60 Democrats."ESKOLA: "Even with potential tax increases?" WALZ: "Even with potential tax increases. And I said I thought it was the right thing to do." ("Almanac," TPT-TV, Nov. 11, 2011)
• Walz Voted In Favor Of House Democratic Budget Proposal Which Raises Taxes By $1.5 Trillion. (Roll Call Vote #276, April 16, 2011)