DeMaio Unveils Jobs Plan

Press Release

Tax Reform, Cutting Red Tape, Worker Training are Keys to Prosperity

San Diego - Flanked by members of his Small Business Coalition, Carl DeMaio today unveiled his five-point Jobs Plan and called for immediate action by the Administration and Congress to revitalize the American economy. DeMaio blasted incumbent Congressman Scott Peters for serving as a "rubber stamp" on President Obama's failed economic policies that have left thousands of San Diegans out of work and are hurting local small businesses.

"The economy remains stagnant and too many San Diegans are out-of-work or falling behind," DeMaio noted. "It is time for bold action to revitalize our economy and create better jobs and brighter opportunities for the American Dream," DeMaio said.

DeMaio is proposing five key reforms to jumpstart the economy. They include:

1) A Fairer, Flatter, and Simpler Tax Code: DeMaio proposes to eliminate many loopholes in the tax code that allow some big corporations to avoid paying taxes altogether and use savings to reduce tax rates across-the-board on working families and small businesses.

DeMaio also proposes a 24 month tax relief provision to bring overseas profits from home to the US to be reinvested at lower corporate tax rates. To qualify for this relief, the funds would have to be used for:

expansion of manufacturing in the US
training of American workers
research and development
financing for public infrastructure projects
2. Cut Red Tape and Regulations on Small Businesses: DeMaio is proposing the creation of an annual "Regulatory Budget" to quantify the cost of various rules and mandates imposed on the American economy - with the goal of making the cost of regulation more transparent and accountable. DeMaio also proposes a 3 year cost-benefit evaluation on all major rules and a 7 year sunset of all major rules. DeMaio also supports the passage of the REINS Act to provide Congress with the ability to "veto" major rules that go beyond legislative intent.

3. Invest in Economic Infrastructure: To support a vibrant economy, DeMaio wants to expand the percentage of the federal budget used for infrastructure investment - in highways, ports, border crossings, waterways, and other projects. DeMaio also proposes to enact a national version of his "Fair and Open Competition" Act - which would reduce costs of federal infrastructure projects by prohibiting discriminatory Project Labor Agreements that favor union-only bids.

4. Improved Education and Worker Training: DeMaio has proposed a number of reforms to improve education to prepare workers for 21st century jobs - particularly in the skill-sets of science, technology, engineering, and math. DeMaio has previously unveiled two major policy proposals to achieve this goal.

Education Performance Initiatives: DeMaio proposes to cut red tape connected to federal education funds. In exchange, each school district would agree to evaluate teacher performance at least once-per-year and post evaluations online for parents and community leaders to review. DeMaio also is a champion of Charter Schools and school choice - which fosters innovation, competition, and accountability in education.

College Loans: In November 2013, DeMaio unveiled his "Free to Be" Plan that contained a number of reforms to make college loans more flexible and affordable for students.

5. Sector-Specific San Diego Economic Development Strategies: DeMaio wants to focus attention on several big sectors that are key to San Diego's local economy and outlined strategies for promoting each:

High Tech, Bio-Tech and Life Sciences: DeMaio supports cutting red tape at the Food and Drug Administration, while expanding federal R&D programs through the National Institutes of Health. To expand access to a quality workforce, DeMaio supports the expansion of the H1B visa program for high skilled labor.

Defense and Military: DeMaio will organize a San Diego Defense Promotion Task Force to make our city's case during contracting decisions at DOD and during the anticipated next round of Base Realignment and Closure Commission deliberations. DeMaio will also champion additional funding and efficiency reforms within DOD to rebuild our national security capabilities that have been severely degraded in recent years.

Energy and Environmental Sustainability: DeMaio will champion expansion of renewable energy alternatives such as solar as well as "green business" solutions - all which have a huge presence in San Diego. DeMaio proposes expansion of the PACE program - which he helped establish in San Diego during his time on the City Council - to provide market-based financing for renewable energy and sustainable living projects in residences and businesses.

DeMaio has a record of standing up for small business and common-sense economic policies. In 2010, DeMaio successfully led the opposition to the massive sales tax supported by Congressman Scott Peters. Then in 2011, DeMaio won approval for his small business regulatory relief ideas to cut red tape on the city's small Business Improvement Districts.

DeMaio said he looks forward to working with Democrats and Republicans to enact these common-sense economic reforms.

"It's time to get San Diegans back to work - and restore the American Dream for all," DeMaio noted.

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