CURRENT ISSUES
No Time for Tax Increases
John Ahern believes government needs to do more with less. Tax increases are not the answer when people are struggling in this economy. During John's time in the Legislature, he has never voted for a tax increase or a fee increase. John has also signed the Americans for Tax Reform Taxpayer Protection Pledge, which states John will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.
Business Climate
The state of Washington is facing the worst economic climate in decades. We need to make sure Washington is attracting businesses to move in to our state not out of our state. Washington needs to promote small business, which is the backbone of our economy. Washington state needs to restructure the Business and Occupation (B & O) tax to help start-up business get off the ground. Government needs to allow businesses to do what businesses do best; create jobs!
As a successful small business owner, John has seen firsthand how government regulations can negatively impact a business. We need to promote businesses not penalize them with excess taxes and regulations.
Fiscal Responsibility
John Ahern has always worked hard in the legislature to make government more efficient and to spend money more wisely. The money that the government has is the money of the people and they must not forget that.
The state is facing a budget deficit of $2.8 billion and we must now make the tough decisions to get the budget back on track. John has the energy, knowledge, and experience to take on the tough decisions that he will face in Olympia.
Protect Veterans and Seniors
As a United States Army Veteran, John has seen how our military men and women have risked their lives to protect all the freedoms we have today and we need to show them our gratitude by making sure their sacrifice is not forgotten. We must take care of our veterans and seniors because they have done so much for us.
Stronger Crime Laws Needed
John Ahern has served as a member of the Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee which is why he feels so strongly that tougher sentencing guidelines need to be implemented for child abusers and internet predators. Mandatory sentences need to be adopted to send a message that these crimes won’t be tolerated.
Lower Property Taxes
We need to reduce property taxes overall, especially for seniors, veterans and middle-income people. Too many people are being taxed out of their homes.
Education Still a Priority
John Ahern believes education is still a priority though he believes school districts need to make sure they are using tax dollars as efficiently as possible. Staying competitive in the classroom is critical to our children's future.
Access to Affordable Healthcare Critical for Everyone
The healthcare system is broken with costs spiraling out of control. More families than ever are doing without, leaving thousands of citizens vulnerable to disease and sickness. In the end, a broken healthcare system cost taxpayers more than addressing the issue right in the first place.
We need to take a common sense approach to the healthcare debate and realize a government run option is not the answer.
My goals for next year are as follows:
a) Make Washington state the best state in the union to do business.
b) Make Washington State the worst state in the union to be a felon, particularly for gang members and sex offenders.
c) Make sure we are protecting our veterans and seniors.
