Tommy Thompson on Economy

Thompson focused on reducing Wiscon's welface caseload while he was in office. Thompson advocates replacing welfare programs with self-sufficiency programs (work programs), similar to the “Wisconsin Works” program. Thompson supports increased tax cuts and wants to make the Bush tax cuts permanent. He wants to relax Canadian border crossing rules.

Taxes:

Thompson argues tax cuts are an investment in working families. As Wisconsin governor, he claims to have cut taxes 91 times saving the average Wisconsin family more than $8,400, and proposed a $339 million permanent income tax cut, the largest middle-class income tax cut in state history.

He believes President Bush’s tax cuts must be permanent to allow taxpayers to keep more of their earnings and to continue to build the economy.

Trade:

Thompson has advocated for loosening the Canadian border crossing rules. He signed resolution allowing state meat inspections (as opposed to fed only) to suffice for interstate trade. Under Thompson, Wisconsin significantly increased its spending or roads and mass transit.