News Release from Hawaii GOP:

Hawaii Democrat Candidate Exemplifies Dems’ Reckless Economic Agenda

Hawaii Democrat candidate Ed Case has rarely met a tax-hike he didn’t like. Case’s unwavering loyalty for Washington’s tax-and-spend policies and anti-small business agenda, in the midst of a recession, will not only stifle economic growth, but will hinder job growth as well. In addition, by backing the Senate version of the Democrats’ healthcare legislation, Case has openly supported all the tax increases included in the legislation, which amounts to more than $6 billion from the pocketbooks of struggling middle class-families. What’s worse, the list of 20 tax increases included in the Democrats’ healthcare bill includes at least 12 violations of President Obama’s pledge not to raise taxes on Americans earning less than $200,000 for singles and $250,000 for married couples. (see table below)

"While Hawaii taxpayers struggle amid a fragile economy, Ed Case continues to be complicit with the job-killing, tax-hiking policies of Washington Democrats by supporting the Democrats’ healthcare takeover. As the nation’s economy teeters on the edge of disaster, more and more jobs are shed each month and the national debt continues to climb to new highs, the last thing the people of Hawaii need is a representative with an insatiable appetite for taxing and spending. Unfortunately for Case, Hawaii voters don’t want another Pelosi rubberstamp in Congress – they want jobs," said Erin Kealoha, Communications Director, Hawaii Republican Party.

While in Congress, Ed Case voted for higher taxes 72 times:

“But his voting record from 49 months in Congress shows that Ed Case voted 72 times for higher taxes or fees—on average one vote every 21 days. Case claims to be an independent "Blue Dog" Democrat, but most of the 72 votes were cast in lockstep with Rep. Nancy Pelosi's ‘progressive’-controlled House Democratic Caucus.” (Andrew Walden, “Ed Case in Congress voted 72 times for higher taxes, fees,” Hawaii Free Press, 03/01/2010)

The hard-working taxpayers of Hawaii need to ask themselves one question on Election Day: Why is Ed Case so eager to tax-and-spend their hard-earned money?

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TAX INCREASES ENACTED BY SENATE HEALTH CARE/ AMOUNT IN BILLIONS OVER 10 YEARS

• New tax on individuals who do not purchase government?approved health insurance *$17.0
• New tax on employers who fail to fully comply with government health insurance mandates *$52.0
• New 40% excise tax on certain high?cost health plans *$32.0
• New ban on the purchase of over?the?counter drugs using funds from FSAs, HSAs and HRAs *$5.0
• Increase the Medicare tax on wages and self?employment income by 0.9% and impose a new 3.8% surtax on certain investment income (for individuals over $200,000 and couples over $250,000) $210.2
• Increase, from 7.5% to 10% of income, the threshold after which individuals can deduct out of pocket medical expenses *$15.2
• Impose a new $2,500 annual cap on FSA contributions *$13.0
• New annual tax on health insurance *$60.1
• New annual tax on brand name pharmaceuticals *$27.0
• New 2.3% excise tax on certain medical devices *$20.0
• New 10% tax on indoor UV tanning services *$2.7
• New tax on insured and self?insured health plans *$2.6
• Double the penalty for non?qualified HSA distributions *$1.4
• Eliminate the deduction for expenses allocable to Medicare Part D subsidy $4.5
• Limit the deduction for compensation to officers, employees and directors of certain health insurance providers $0.6
• Require information reporting on payments to corporations $17.1
• Impose additional requirements for section 501(c)(3) hospitals $0.4
• Make “black liquor” ineligible for cellulosic biofuel producer credit $23.6
• Codify economic substance doctrine and impose penalties for underpayments $4.5
• Other revenue effects $60.3

*VIOLATES PRESIDENT’S PLEDGE TO NOT INCREASE TAXES ON MIDDLE CLASS

For more fact check information for the special election for Hawaii’s 1st congressional district, visit www.factcheckhi01.com.