Inept Congress on Illegal Immigration Forces State Action

For immediate release:  April 28, 2010
Contact: (608) 782-4326

(La Crosse, Wisconsin)... Third District Congressional Candidate Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse) faulted the U.S. Congress for the illegal immigration predicament states are finding themselves in, as currently seen in Arizona.  Kapanke pointed to a lack of enforcement and border security as the main culprits for millions flooding into the United States illegally.

"We need to invest in border security and enforce the law immediately," said Kapanke.  "The President and Arizona lawmakers have basically agreed that inaction by the United States Congress to stop illegal immigration has forced states into unacceptable situations.  It's been clear for years Congress is not willing to step up to make border security a priority."

As a Wisconsin State Senator, Kapanke voted to restrict access to public assistance programs for non-U.S. citizens and sponsored E-Verify incentive legislation that would enable easy access for employers to verify citizenship status of employees.

"Unfortunately, the failure of 13-year incumbent Ron Kind and the Democrats in Congress to address illegal immigration has strained taxpayers and threatened law-and-order," said Kapanke.  "Until we get new people representing us in Congress, we can likely expect more of the same.  If elected I will not shy away from the tough choices we need to make because I understand how much inaction is costing states."

Kapanke indicated that if elected to Congress, he would prioritize U.S.-Mexico border security, by fully funding agents, border fencing, and other monitoring tools.  Additionally, he would vote to prohibit public assistance for non-U.S. Citizens.

Kapanke: Reverse Course Now to Avoid New Value-Added Tax

For immediate release:  April 22, 2010
Contact: (608) 782-4326

(La Crosse, Wisconsin)... As reported yesterday by the Associated Press (AP), President Barack Obama is suggesting a new value-added tax as a means to raise revenue for a federal government that has spent its way into unsustainable debt (Yahoo News!, “Obama suggests value-added tax may be an option,” April 21, 2010).  A value-added tax is similar to a sales tax, but involves taxing goods at every stage of production; inevitably increasing the costs of goods to consumers, decreasing the purchasing power of families and seniors, and drawing more resources from private-sector job providers.

Third Congressional District Candidate Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse) indicated that it is time to immediately reverse course in Washington to avoid such a widespread tax.

“Our 13-year incumbent Congressman Ron Kind has set the stage for a huge across-the-board tax increase with his years’ worth of voting for runaway spending,” said Kapanke.  “This session alone started with bailouts, included last summer’s trillion dollar failed stimulus bill, and continued with a trillion dollar health care bill.  Together, these have added trillions in financial liabilities for taxpayers, and Kind has voted each time to increase the debt ceiling to enable the credit card spending.”

The AP story included information that a commission established by the President could provide such tax options on how to address the deficit.  Ron Kind voted for a similar commission to be established earlier this year.