Kirkpatrick Pledges Relief for AZ Small Businesses and Middle-Class Families in Congress

Prescott, AZ - Former prosecutor and state legislator Ann Kirkpatrick, candidate for Arizona's 1st Congressional District, spent last week's debates with her opponent Sydney Hay outlining her proactive plans to bring relief to middle-class families and small businesses during this time of economic turmoil.

Former state legislator Ann Kirkpatrick and corporate lobbyist Sydney Hay participated in two forums last week at Northern Arizona University and Camp Verde.

"We need to take immediate action to give relief to Arizona's middle-class families and small businesses bearing the brunt of a slumping economy," said Kirkpatrick. "I raised a family and started a small business in this district, so I know about the challenges of an unfair tax system that always seems tilted against success. I'm running for Congress because it's time to fix this broken system by cutting taxes for Arizonans struggling to make ends meet."

The following is an outline of some of Kirkpatrick's proposals to bring much needed relief to the small business community and middle-class families in Arizona:

Small Business
As a former small business owner, Kirkpatrick understands the obstacles facing small business in Arizona's 1st Congressional District.

In Congress, Kirkpatrick has pledged to take more of the pressure off employers by making quality, affordable health care available for all Arizonans, beginning with the coverage of every child through the S-CHIP program.

As a member of the state legislature, Kirkpatrick sponsored a bill offering tax credits to small businesses that provide health insurance to their employees. She has pledged to expand that legislation on a federal level to relieve some of the burden and make it easier to give workers good coverage.

Kirkpatrick has also pledged to take action to improve the basic infrastructure required for Arizona's small businesses to complete in the increasingly global economy.

"It is unacceptable for areas throughout this district to be without basic transportation and telecommunications infrastructure," said Kirkpatrick. "How can we expect to compete with China without the basic business tools of the 21st Century, such as broadband internet coverage and cell phone service?"

Kirkpatrick will fight for Arizona's fair share of federal dollars to improve our crumbling infrastructure and ensure that all of the 1st Congressional District has access to the tools of the 21st Century.

Finally, Kirkpatrick pledges to provide much needed tax relief for small businesses, such as exempting them from the Estate Tax. In the state legislature, Kirkpatrick defied the leadership of her own party to support meaningful tax relief, such as property tax cuts for small business owners and tax credits for investors who help new small businesses get off the ground. She will push for those same policies in Congress.

Tax Cuts for Middle Class Families
Kirkpatrick is calling for broad-based tax cuts for 86 million middle-class American families.

"Our families need immediate relief," said Kirkpatrick. "In Congress, I will push for permanent tax cuts for 86 million middle-class families who are struggling to fill up their trucks, pay for groceries, and afford quality health care."

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Former State Representative Ann Kirkpatrick is a former legislator, county prosecutor, small business owner, mother, and a community leader who served as President of the Northern Arizona United Way. Born in McNary, Kirkpatrick is a native of rural Arizona and has lived and worked in the 1st Congressional District all her life.

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