NEWS: Poliquin: Reduce Taxes, Tackle Spending First

As originally published by the Portland Press-Herald:

Bruce Poliquin, Republican

Poliquin said he supports repeal [of LD 1495], and that any new governor must first tackle the looming state budget deficit before talking about cutting taxes.

“It is absolutely critical that spending reductions go hand in hand with tax reductions,” he said. “Without addressing spending first, tax reductions could push our state into insolvency.”

Poliquin, a business owner and developer, has called for an audit of every state department, agency and program to find out where there’s duplication. He would put in place performance standards and hire professional managers to oversee state operations.

When it comes to human services, Poliquin would save money by reducing benefits to the national average, and he wants a residency requirement before anyone can qualify for benefits.

He has taken a no-new-taxes pledge, noting that states that thrive have no tax on personal income.

He said the inheritance tax drives retirees out of the state when they could be spending more money here eating out, going to movies and buying goods and services.

“It is so important to get the cost of doing business and living in the state down,” he said.