Lance: Economy Needs To Be Improved To Reduce Uncertainty For Small Businesses

For Rep. Leonard Lance, R-7, as the November election draws near, the biggest issue facing his constituents currently is the state of the economy, and the uncertainty that comes with businesses being in the midst of a recession.

"This is the greatest downturn since the Great Depression," he said when he stopped by the GOP table during the Somerset County 4-H Fair at North Branch Park Aug. 12. "We are still in a deep recession."

Lance is running for his second term as representative of the seventh district, which includes most of Bridgewater and other towns in Somerset, Hunterdon, Union and Middlesex counties.

In fighting the recession, Lance said, there needs to be assistance for small businesses that are struggling to stay afloat today.

"We currently need help for those small businesses," he said. "About seven in 10 new jobs will be created by small businesses, and that should be the focus in Washington."

In looking at ways to assist the businesses, Lance said, he would support the extension of the Bush tax cuts, which are scheduled to expire in December.

"If no action is taken, taxes will increase," he said. "There has to be an affirmative vote, and I don't favor charging higher taxes."

But for small businesses and residents themselves, Lance said, the economy is the greatest challenge faced by the government. And those struggles, he said, come from a great deal of uncertainty.

"The economy is not strong, and the uncertainty leads to economic paralysis," he said. "People are unsure, and businesses are reluctant to hire."

As Lance's opponent—Democratic candidate Ed Potosnak—has begun campaigning around the district, the most recent issue coming under attack has been the federal Education, Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act, which was passed by the Senate Aug. 5, and is designed to save and create 319,000 jobs, including 161,000 teacher jobs.

Potosnak has said he would have supported the measure, but Lance voted against it.

"I think Gov. Chris Christie is doing a good job reforming the budget in this state," Lance said. "Most capitals have to reform their levels of spending."

One of the reasons he is against the new act, Lance said, is because part of the money set aside in the education bill will actually be paid from a reduction in food stamps in the distant future.

"I don't think we should be reducing that," he said.

In addition, Lance said, the seventh district will not really benefit from the bill, with only 56 teachers being brought back to be spread across 54 municipalities, many with multiple schools themselves.

"The district won't be bringing back many teachers," he said. "There are just so many individual schools in the towns themselves."

To fix all the overwhelming budgetary issues, Lance said, the biggest change has to obviously come in the economy. Once tax revenue is increased, aid can increase, he said, which is why the uncertainty among businesses needs to end.

"The federal, state and local budgets will improve if the economy improves," he said. "If there is greater certainty, people will purchase items [for their businesses]."

Lance said he has always been a proponent of fiscal responsibility, and he believes that to be the overwhelming view of the residents in the seventh district.

"The annual deficit in Washington is $1.5 trillion," he said. "It has increased in a Democratically-controlled Congress. I believe we need a Republican-controlled House because we need checks and balances. And I think that is the overwhelming view of the residents here."

Although economic concerns are his main focus at this time, Lance said he is also a supporter of Israel, and would want greater sanctions against Iran.

"Israel is a true friend as a democracy," he said. "I am concerned about the existential threats."

In addition, Lance said, he voted to fund troop levels in Afghanistan as a way to continue to protect the United States itself. He said supporting the mission there is supporting the objectives to keep Americans safe.

"It is based on the safety of the United States," he said. "We should be there because of the national security of America. But I hope we can leave in a reasonable amount of time."

As for his campaign itself, Lance said he believes it is important to keep residents informed about the issues faced by the residents of the seventh district. To accomplish this, he said, he has sent out nonpartisan mailings about the issues at hand.

At this point, Lance said, he cannot send such materials out anymore because they are not allowed within 90 days before the election.

"The process is scrupulously checked by Congress," he said.

Beyond that, Lance said, he has been holding town hall meetings throughout the district to meet with constituents and find out what concerns they have where they live.

But as of yet, Lance has declined to respond to a request from Potosnak's camp to engage in a public debate in each county covered in the seventh district.

"I have lived here my entire life, and I am extremely active and visible in the district," Lance said. "If my opponent needs to tour to learn about the district, I understand that."

With his main focus on economic issues, Lance said he believes he has an understanding of what residents are concerned about as the November election draws near.

"My views are overwhelmingly the views of the district," he said. "This is a period of great challenge."