Issue Position: Economic Growth
Issue Position
"[Holt is] a dedicated environmentalist and a strong advocate of the improvements in science and mathematics education that will be essential if the United States is to compete in the global economy."
The Trenton Times, November 30, 2005
"The congressman's introductory remarks highlighted a need to invest in research and development. 'A couple of things that are on my mind much of the time - in addition to issues of war and peace - are a lack of historical perspective and a lack of understanding of what has made this country as great as it is,' he told the audience. 'The framers (of the Constitution) understood innovation was going to be the making of America.'"
The Princeton Packet, August 11, 2005
"Holt, a scientist and former teacher, is a strong voice on issues of technology and education...Holt is a compelling thinker with a solid record."
The Star-Ledger, October 25, 2004
Rush has achieved success in enacting policies to promote economic growth for central New Jersey, providing jobs and creating opportunities for us all.
One means to promote economic growth is to provide incentives for business to conduct research and development. Some of the greatest advances of the last century originated here in central New Jersey, and Rush intends to make sure we remain a world leader in innovation. Research and development can spur enormous economic growth, creating entire new industries and economies.
As a scientist, Rush is keenly aware of the value of research, and he has led the fight to renew the Research and Development Tax Credit, which offers incentives to businesses to invest in long term research projects. He has also co-authored legislation to double the federal government's investment in research and development over the next decade.
Rush has worked to spur economic development by promoting programs to make sure we have a trained, educated workforce to attract innovative employers to central New Jersey. He obtained funding for a communications technology education program to train new workers to work in technology in the Mercer and Middlesex county area.
Targeted tax relief is a powerful economic tool, and Rush is committed to providing sensible, responsible tax relief for central New Jersey families. Rush has pushed legislation to give a bigger tax deduction for student loans, to extend the deduction for employer-provided education assistance, and to increase the deduction for health insurance expenses of the self-employed.
Rush has worked hard to make sure that central New Jersey has all the necessary ingredients for economic growth. He has worked to attract and keep industry and jobs in the 12th district by ensuring a skilled labor force, sensible regulations, and tax incentives.
Rush Results:
Rush led the fight to renew the Research and Development Tax Credit, co-sponsoring the legislation to provide businesses with incentives to invest in long-term research projects.
He co-authored legislation to:
# increase the deduction for health insurance expenses of the self-employed.
# extend the deduction for employer-provided education assistance.
# give a bigger tax deduction for student loans.
# repeal the "marriage penalty."
Secured federal money for local benefit:
# $1 million for telecommunications infrastructure improvements at Fort Monmouth.
# $1.5 million for Rutgers University's.NJ Center for Biomaterials Research (CeMBR)
# $5 million for continued work on the "Bug-to-Drug" Program for chemical and biological defense purposes.
# Pushed to increase funding for the energy efficiency and renewable energy research and development program at the Department of Energy.
# Coordinated a successful effort on behalf of the NJ congressional delegation to request a $10.8 million increase in the Fusion Energy Sciences Program.
Rush has worked to spur economic development by promoting programs to make sure we have a trained, educated workforce to attract high tech employers to central New Jersey. He obtained funding for a communications technology education program to train new workers to work in technology in the Mercer and Middlesex county area.
Sponsored a successful small business economic development day in Washington for north and central NJ entrepreneurs, bringing them together with regulators and lawmakers to help them sustain and expand their livelihoods. Small businesses create 75% of all new jobs in America, and produce half of our country's Gross Domestic Product.
Creating Einstein's Alley:
Taking Bold Initiative: A vision for a vigorous economic future for central New Jersey.
Bright futures and prosperous economies are built by those who have the vision to imagine, the determination to act and the desire to influence their own destiny.
Prudent investors put capital into new commercial ventures after our scientists, inventors and pioneer thinkers create products and concepts that previously had been unthinkable.
Rush recently organized a central New Jersey Economic Summit, entitled Einstein's Alley, to discuss how we can ensure our region's economic vitality. It attracted 300 local business, education, labor and elected leaders. The idea behind Einstein's Alley is to create a place and a process to make central New Jersey a national leader in attracting and supporting innovative companies.
Similar to California's Silicon Valley or North Carolina's Research Triangle, Rush envisions making Einstein's Alley a home to vibrant communities, cutting-edge companies and productive workers whose unique assets and shared vision attract new, innovative industries and create many more good jobs to add to what we already have.
Central New Jersey has the foundation necessary to become a nationally recognized, world-class economic powerhouse.
We have:
# long been on the frontier of technological innovation as home of many of our nation's boldest thinkers, inventors and entrepreneurs.
# a strategic location, midway between New York and Philadelphia, offering an affordable yet high quality of life.
# one of the best-educated workforces in the country.
# outstanding rail, air and highway access.
# a solid research base in the pharmaceutical telecommunications, and other industries;
# world-class institutions of higher learning.
Building a prosperous economic future will require each of us in the region to play a role. Brighter futures don't just happen by themselves. We have to create them. And that means we must make a commitment to ourselves: Think boldly. Act locally.
Citizen Groups Stand Up With Rush: (For most recent endorsements, please click here.)
NJ AFL-CIO, a voluntary federation of unions, represents 1 million working families, endorsed Rush in 2002.
Business and Professional Women/USA, which advocates equity for all women in the workplace, endorsed Rush in 2002.
Taxpayers for Common Sense Action, cited Rush for being a "taxpayer hero."
Concord Coalition, a nonpartisan, grassroots organization advocating fiscal responsibility while ensuring Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are secure for all generations, ranked Rush in 2003 as being more fiscally responsible than 92% of all House members in the 107th Congress.
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