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Democratic Governors Unveil Vision for 2006: America Competes

Competition is Key Element of Energy, Healthcare, Education Plans
January 24, 2006

To watch Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell unveil the America Competes plan, click here.

To Listen to Gov. Rendell’s “America Competes” DNC Podcast, click here

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Governors on January 24th called on President Bush to join in their efforts to improve America’s ability to compete globally. Because the Bush Administration has failed to provide the leadership to help America compete in global markets, Democratic Governors have stepped up to fill in the vacuum in their states and in partnership with America’s business leaders. The Governors said their “America Competes” plan is the key to American prosperity and urged President Bush to join them in their plan to:

• Lessen our dependence on foreign oil by developing a comprehensive energy plan that promotes investments in alternative fuels and conservation; Click here to learn more
• Level the international playing field for American companies in order to create well-paying jobs and more trade opportunities. This can be done by investing in the building blocks of private sector growth—in both domestic and global markets; Click here to learn more
• Provide a tax credit to increase access to affordable healthcare and reduce the costs that are crippling companies and their workforce; Click here to learn more
• Reform our education system to ensure that all Americans have the skills to compete in a 21st century workforce. Click here to learn more

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell said, “We can make America more competitive by ensuring our country has a healthy workforce that is more productive; strengthening our schools so they produce employees who can compete in the world marketplace; reducing our reliance on foreign oil by investing in American energy sources; and working with international organizations to level the playing field for American businesses.” Rendell added, “Doing these things will make America’s businesses stronger and improve our economy.”

America today faces considerable economic challenges from competitors throughout the world. This situation requires dramatic reform of Washington’s policies and approaches to well known issues facing all Americans.

Democratic Governors are speaking up because it is time for the Bush administration and Washington to put American families back at the top of their priority lists. Democratic Governors have adopted innovative policies in their states to meet these goals – but the federal government must do its part. The “America Competes” plan is a realistic vision of how state and federal governments can help businesses, cut taxes, and create jobs immediately.

DGA Chairman New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, said improving education and healthcare is vital in improving America’s global competitiveness. “To protect and create jobs in the U.S., we must provide our schools with the resources they need to produce a competitive workforce,” said Richardson. “Additionally, America’s workers need to be healthy. American companies are competing with foreign businesses that do not have the added costs of healthcare, which their employees receive through national healthcare programs. To have a healthy and competitive workforce, the federal government should provide a tax credit to U.S. companies that contribute to employee healthcare costs.”

The Governors called for a comprehensive, coordinated energy strategy, akin to the 1940’s Manhattan Project, to coordinate the efforts to achieve America’s energy independence. Additionally, they called for federal oil and gas subsidies to be redirected toward investments in alternative energy solutions.

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin stressed the need to alleviate America’s addiction to foreign oil. “The soaring cost of energy makes it all too clear that we cannot continue down the same path of uncertainty,” said Manchin.

President Bush needs to work with global organizations like the World Trade Organization to level the playing field for American companies. “The president has ignored manufacturing and jobs for too long. It’s time he joined us to help businesses compete effectively around the world and create jobs here at home,” said Governor Jim Doyle of Wisconsin. “We need to export aggressively, end unfair currency manipulation, protect American intellectual property, and stop unfair foreign taxation. If the president works with us to implement this plan, it will create American jobs.”

Democratic Governors will promote these innovative, economic policies within fiscally responsible boundaries by defining pay–as-you-go budgets and without raising taxes. They are calling on President Bush to be a strong partner in this effort—and urged him to pledge his commitment to these issues in his upcoming State of the Union Address.

Copyright & Paid for by The Democratic Governors Association

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