|
|
|
Congressman Tom Reed visited Wayland Saturday to meet with constituents.
The congressman started with a brief overview of his budget strategy, focusing on debt and spending reductions.
“We’re trying to focus on regulations and restrain them,” Reed said.
He said tax policy needs to be revised to clean up loopholes and exemptions.
Regarding energy development, Reed said he supports an all-of-the-above approach that focuses on domestic sources over foreign supplies.
In the question and answer portion of the meeting, one constituent asked about how Congress intends to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Reed noted that the day before, President Barack Obama had announce the full withdrawal from Iraq.
“I think we’re moving closer to that in Afghanistan,” Reed said.
He added that he is concerned about raising taxes on anyone, rich or poor, in the current economy, noting that the wars amount to $400 billion in a $1.5 trillion annual deficit.
On defense spending generally, he said the military needs a new structure, with more emphasis on rapid-deployment units and less focus on large-scale forces.
Reed also said he supports the supercommittee charged with coming up with $1.2 trillion in budget cuts, though he supported a more ambitious $4 trillion.
“This is a 50- to 60-year problem in the making,” he concluded.
On borders, Reed said the country needs to secure borders, but not close them completely.
Reed said there is common ground in the Senate, House and White House related to infrastructure and expects to see some consensus in coming months.
Primary funding for highway improvements comes from an 18-cent gas tax, which generates $40 billion. But the country needs $100 billion more, Reed said, which could come from existing energy royalties and taxes on domestic oil, gas and other energy extraction.
He also noted that roads are just part of the equation. The country needs to look at water, sewer and utility grids as well.
Reed pointed to the fundamental debate in Washington between private and public sector growth. He said infrastructure, largely a public sector expenditure is only part of the solution.
In the larger economic picture, he added that welfare and entitlements must be a short-term solution to give people a hand up and not become a dependancy.
Reed said Social Security and other entitlements must be on the table for budget discussions if it’s going to be available for future generations.
Constituents also asked Reed to weigh in on some state and local issues, which he candidly admitted he wasn’t up to speed on, but would research and help where possible.
Congressman Tom Reed visited Wayland Saturday to meet with constituents.
The congressman started with a brief overview of his budget strategy, focusing on debt and spending reductions.
“We’re trying to focus on regulations and restrain them,” Reed said.
He said tax policy needs to be revised to clean up loopholes and exemptions.
Regarding energy development, Reed said he supports an all-of-the-above approach that focuses on domestic sources over foreign supplies.
In the question and answer portion of the meeting, one constituent asked about how Congress intends to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Reed noted that the day before, President Barack Obama had announce the full withdrawal from Iraq.
“I think we’re moving closer to that in Afghanistan,” Reed said.
He added that he is concerned about raising taxes on anyone, rich or poor, in the current economy, noting that the wars amount to $400 billion in a $1.5 trillion annual deficit.
On defense spending generally, he said the military needs a new structure, with more emphasis on rapid-deployment units and less focus on large-scale forces.
Reed also said he supports the supercommittee charged with coming up with $1.2 trillion in budget cuts, though he supported a more ambitious $4 trillion.
“This is a 50- to 60-year problem in the making,” he concluded.
On borders, Reed said the country needs to secure borders, but not close them completely.
Reed said there is common ground in the Senate, House and White House related to infrastructure and expects to see some consensus in coming months.
Primary funding for highway improvements comes from an 18-cent gas tax, which generates $40 billion. But the country needs $100 billion more, Reed said, which could come from existing energy royalties and taxes on domestic oil, gas and other energy extraction.
He also noted that roads are just part of the equation. The country needs to look at water, sewer and utility grids as well.
Reed pointed to the fundamental debate in Washington between private and public sector growth. He said infrastructure, largely a public sector expenditure is only part of the solution.
In the larger economic picture, he added that welfare and entitlements must be a short-term solution to give people a hand up and not become a dependancy.
Reed said Social Security and other entitlements must be on the table for budget discussions if it’s going to be available for future generations.
Constituents also asked Reed to weigh in on some state and local issues, which he candidly admitted he wasn’t up to speed on, but would research and help where possible.
