Economy/Jobs
Sean knows that in a troubled economy, the first priority for Congress is getting people back to work. This is why Sean has created a plan that will not only put Americans back to work but also ensure a stable economic future.
• Economic plan section 1:
Provide immediate assistance to state and local governments to prevent further layoffs and support rehiring of public sector workers. This means more jobs for police officers, firefighters, and teachers.
• Economic plan section 2:
Transportation and Energy Improvement Project. Putting people to work rebuilding roads and bridges. Building an electric rail system for both freight and passenger rail beginning in Houston. Update the nation’s electric grid to meet modern demand. These goals will be accomplished through direct employment by the government, private contracts, and incentives for private companies to participate.
• Economic plan section 3:
Chapter 11 bankruptcy reform creating a Homeowners Chapter 11. This would reduce foreclosures by allowing homeowners to writedown their mortgage to current market value. It would do away with the millionaire loophole which allows this to be done on a person’s second home. This would keep more families in their home by reducing their payments and ensuring that they do not owe more than their home is worth.
• Economic plan section 4:
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Expansion Assistance Program
This would provide start-up loans for new businesses in emerging industries, such as green energy. It would provide loans to small businesses, that are expanding, at interest rates based on the increase in employees. This would provide incentives for entrepreneurs to start new businesses and for small businesses to expand by reducing the risk of doing so.
• Economic plan section 5:
Corporate Tax Reform. Create corporate tax credits for each new American worker that a corporation hires. Create a severance fee for every job shipped oversees. Adjust corporate tax rates and remove loopholes that lead to some large corporations paying little or no taxes.
• Economic plan section 6:
Banking Reform. Reinstate an updated version of the Glass-Steagall Act requiring the separation of investment and commercial banks. Require that troubled banks must be reorganized under bankruptcy before receiving public assistance. Create penalties for both banks and mortgage brokers using predatory lending practices.
Immigration
It is time to find a solution to the issue of immigration. We must not only develop a solution for the undocumented immigrants that are already here but also discourage further violations of our immigration laws. Sean believes strongly in ensuring an orderly and documented immigration process. Immigration reform should include three actions.
1) Pass the D.R.E.A.M. Act. The D.R.E.A.M. Act is a step in the right direction, so long as those who earn citizenship are not allowed to sponsor new immigrants.
2) Create a temporary visa that would allow undocumented immigrants, without criminal records, to work towards legal status.
3) Create a temporary stay of deportation for parents of American born children that are enrolled in school. This would delay deportation of the child’s parents until that child is 18 years old or has graduated high school. Any child born after the stay of deportation is issued will not be covered.
It is time to reform outdated immigration policies and recognize the important role that immigrants play within our state, national and global economy. Immigration is the essence of the American Story and a top priority for Sean.
Education
Being the product of the public education system, Sean understands the importance of saving our teachers’ jobs and our education system. In order for the United States to meet the challenges of the new global economy we must have a first class education system. Sean understands the education system is the engine of our economy and that our children deserve the opportunity to compete in the global economy. Sean supports putting multiple teachers in classrooms and developing uniform national textbook standards. He will push for a National Education Council made up of teachers, administrators, and parents charged with making recommendations for curriculum and textbook standards for the nation’s schools.
Energy
Sean supports increasing federal investments for clean energy development within Texas. We can become the top clean energy production and development nation and Texas should lead way. The development of a clean energy industry within Texas will lead not only to energy independence and cleaner air, but also to thousands of new jobs for Texans. In the past, Texas has been a leading producer of energy and fossil fuel within the U.S. As we work towards energy independence for our nation it is important that Texas be a leader in the ever-developing clean energy industry.
Campaign Finance Reform
I believe that the only way that we will get a more responsive Washington is to remove the big money influence from our politics. This is why I have come up with a plan for publicly financed campaigns.
1) The nominee of each major party for U.S. House and Senate races shall have the option of accepting federal financing or raise private fund exceeding no more than twenty-five percent above of federal funding.
2) In primary races candidates receiving a set number of signatures from that party’s primary voters would receive funds provided by a partnership of the federal government and the political parties.
3) Pass an amendment to the Constitution overturning Citizens United. It would both remove corporate personhood and ban PACs.