It’s been two years since Richard Tisei tried to force his reckless agenda on Massachusetts families, but no one in this Democratic district will forget his rhetoric and his reckless right wing agenda. Whether it is calling the Tea Party a “godsend” or saying that the Republican plan to end the Medicare guarantee was a “good starting point,” Richard Tisei is still the same rubber stamp for the Republican agenda who voters rejected in 2012.
Right Wing Rubber Stamp Richard Tisei’s Record:
- The Tea Party: Tisei called the Tea Party a “godsend.”
- The House Republican Budget: Said the House Republican Budget that would end the Medicare guarantee for seniors a “good starting point.”
- Tax Cuts for the Middle Class: Called a payroll tax cut for the middle class “gimmicky” and said he would not vote for it.
- Education: Opposed critical education funds to retain hundreds of Massachusetts educators.
- Jobs: Supports special tax breaks for corporations that ship jobs overseas.
Marc Brumer of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said, “There is nothing Richard Tisei can say or do to erase his record supporting the Tea Party or change the fact that he is a rubber stamp for John Boehner and the Republican agenda that stacks the deck in favor of the special interests and the ultra wealthy by shifting the burden onto hard working Massachusetts families.”
BACKGROUND:
Tisei Called The Tea Party A “Godsend.” In January 2012, Tisei called the Tea Party movement a “Godsend.” He said, “The Tea Party has been a God-send to (Republicans). They have been the people who work the country up and made it realize it was about to go over a cliff.” [Tewksbury Patch, 1/13/12]
Tisei Said Ryan Budget That “Would Essentially End Medicare” Was A “Good Starting Point” In August 2012, Tisei called the Republican budget plan authored by Rep. Paul Ryan “a good starting point.” The Wall Street Journal wrote, “The plan would essentially end Medicare, which now pays most of the health-care bills for 48 million elderly and disabled Americans, as a program that directly pays those bills.” [Salem News, 8/17/12; Wall Street Journal, 4/04/11]
Tisei Claimed Payroll Tax Cut Was “Gimmicky” and “Hasn’t Worked.” In a December 2011, Tisei was asked whether he would vote to extend the payroll tax cut. He replied by saying, “I don’t think you should borrow money to do it, number one. And I think it is sort of gimmicky. The reason that that was put into place was to help businesses create jobs and you know as a small business owner, I can tell you that businesses need to know what’s going on two or three years down the road. They need some stability and predictability. And, you know, it hasn’t worked basically.” [WCVB-TV, 12/1/11]
Tisei Would Not Have Voted for the Payroll Tax Cut. In a November 2011, Tisei said that he would not have voted for a payroll tax cut, even as a short term measure.
From NECN interview:
Host: “The President’s jobs bill is going absolutely nowhere, one piece of it would extend and expand payroll tax cuts that exist now and then expand them to not only employers but make them greater for virtually every worker in America. Would you support that as a member of Congress?”
Tisei: “The way I kind of look at it is that that’s a short-term measure.”
Host: “But would you support it as a short-term measure?”
Tisei: “I don’t think so.” [NECN, 11/16/11]
Opposed Using Federal Funds to Retain Hundreds of Educators. In 2010, Tisei opposed spending $655 million in anticipated federal stimulus funding to offset budget cuts to education, arguing that the money should be held in reserve in order to address a $2 billion shortfall.Massachusetts Democrats sought to use the funds to offset budget cuts to human services and fund 2,400 positions in public schools.Governor Patrick’s budget chief said that the money could not, under law, be held in reserves because it was part of the federal stimulus program designed to provide an immediate boost for the economy. [Boston Globe, 8/06/10]
Supported Cutting Corporate Tax Rate by Nearly 40 Percent. In 2010, Tisei said he would “push the state toward a five percent income tax rate, five percent sales tax, and five percent corporate tax rate,” according to the Associated Press. At the time, Massachusetts’ corporate tax rate was 8.75 percent. The reduction to Tisei’s rate of five percent would mean a 39.4 percent cut. [Associated Press, 9/22/10; Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 1/03/11]