Issue Position: Balanced Budget

Issue Position

Q: What plan of action would you take to ensure a balanced budget?

A: We have taken steps, like applying Pay-As-You-Go rules to our national budgeting process. Additionally, unlike the previous administration, we have moved the war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan on budget, so that they can be fully accounted for and their cost can be examined as part of the budget. Certainly that bit of honest accounting provides a clearer picture of our nation's spending. The end to combat operations in Iraq will help relieve some pressure on our budget, but balance will only come with a recovered economy. I was Mayor for eight years, and each year I had to produce a balanced budget. In1991 when I took office we were in a recession, and had to climb our way out. We put policies in place that grew the economy and created jobs. By the end of my terms as Mayor, both our city and nation were running surpluses and the economy was robust. We are applying some of the lessons we learned during those difficult times to our current situation.

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