Engineering Inc. - March/April 2008 - (Page 10)

Race for the White House Where leading candidates stand on industry issues Barack Obama (D) Positions: Hillary Clinton (D) Positions: John McCain (R) Positions: n Supports increased federal investment in the physical sciences and engineering research, which has dropped by half since 1970. n Will call for the creation of a “National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank” that would invest $60 billion over 10 years in highways, technology and other projects to “rebuild America” and create 2 million jobs in the process. n Would mandate that all businesses provide health insurance to employees or contribute a percentage of payroll to a national plan. n Supports overturning recent reductions in personal income-tax rates, estate taxes, capital gains and dividend taxes, except for lower- and middle-income taxpayers. “As our society becomes more mobile and interconnected, the need for 21st-century transportation networks has never been greater. However, too many of our nation’s railways, highways, bridges, airports and neighborhood streets are slowly decaying due to lack of investment and strategic long-term planning.” 10 ENGINEERING INC. maRCh / apRIl 2008 n Supports establishment of a $10 billion “emergency repair fund” to address the backlog of critical infrastructure needs, $250 million in “emergency assessment grants” to conduct safety reviews of critical infrastructure and a national commission to assess engineering review standards to better prioritize repairs of roads and bridges. n Would require large employers to provide health insurance or contribute to the cost of coverage; small businesses that provide quality health coverage would qualify for a tax credit. n Proposes to cut 500,000 government contractors. n Supports overturning recent reductions in personal income-tax rates, estate taxes, capital gains and dividend taxes, except for lower- and middle-income taxpayers. “We are seeing the results of the failure to invest in infrastructure. The tragic bridge collapse in Minnesota this past summer, a recent levee break in Nevada and what happened with the levees in New Orleans are painful reminders that our infrastructure is in dangerous disrepair.” n Proposes to cut the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 25 percent to improve competitiveness; would keep in place recent rate reductions in estate taxes, individual taxes and capital gains and dividends. n Opposes “earmarking” of infrastructure and other government spending programs. Voted against SAFETEA-LU because of earmarks. n Supports tax code changes to stimulate the economy, including new expensing incentives to encourage businesses to invest in equipment and a permanent research and tax credit. n Supports market-based health care reforms, including tax credits of up to $5,000 for families to access insurance, and allowing individuals and businesses to purchase health insurance through trade associations or other professional associations. “The federal government spends too much money, squanders precious resources on questionable projects pushed by special interests and ignores the priorities of the American taxpayer.”

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Engineering Inc. - March/April 2008 Table of Contents From ACEC to You News & Notes Market Watch Legislative Action Election Preview BIM Bottom-Line Strategies From the Ground UP 2008 Annual Convention Primer Across the Federation Business Insights 2007 ACEC/PAC Honor Roll Membrs in the News

Engineering Inc. - March/April 2008

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