The following is an analysis of an ad being run by Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colorado) that's critical of Aurora City Councilman Ryan Frazier, who is one of his opponents in the 7th Congressional District. Buck Bailey is the Libertarian Party candidate for that seat in November as well.
QUOTE: Ryan Frazier says one thing but does another. He claims jobs are his priority, but Frazier pledged to protect tax breaks for companies that outsource jobs.
TRUTH: This is true, but needs context.
In reality, Frazier signed a pledge put forward by a group called Americans for Tax Reform that sought to prevent any increase in taxes on any businesses, not just those which outsource jobs. (Source: ATR Pledge) The organization fights against "all tax increases as a matter of principle." (Source: ATR website)
The group did take a specific stand on H.R. 1586 that Democrats argued would take away tax credits for companies who outsource American jobs. Critics, like the ATR, argued that it increased taxes for any American company that has operations overseas. (Source: Rep. Ed Perlmutter Congressional website and ATR Tax Pledge Alert, Aug. 9)
QUOTE: Frazier's company, Takara Systems, boasts about helping outsource American jobs overseas.
TRUTH: Whether the company is boasting or not is a matter of opinion, but it does advertise its "outsourcing" services to potential clients.
The company describes itself as an Information and Communications Technology firm that provides software and consulting services to facilitate international trade and business. It is headquartered in Denver with operations in Africa and Asia.
On the company's website, under the section called "Services," there is an area Takara advertises called "Outsourcing." (Source: Takara Systems) In that section, which has its own page on the site, the company writes, "In an increasingly open and competitive trading environment, most companies need to develop global marketing, technology and production alliances, to be successful... Many do this by seeking out strategic partners through whom they can leverage their key competencies for expansion and prosperity in their chosen line(s) of business."
Frazier spokesman TQ Houlton said the company has never "outsourced American jobs overseas." Further, he wrote an e-mail to 9NEWS stating, "Takara Systems develops software that is a relationship-based tool to help small businesses find partners. It's almost like an eHarmony website for small businesses. It's up to the businesses to find the best fit. Takara Systems isn't advocating for outsourcing."
QUOTE: Ryan Frazier is costing us jobs.
TRUTH: This is an opinion.
There are no clients listed on the company's website, so it's hard to pinpoint specific jobs that have been lost. (Source: Takara Systems website)
QUOTE: Ed Perlmutter voted to crack down on companies that ship jobs overseas.
TRUTH: This is true.
The vote in question is about H.R. 1586 which authorized "$16.1 billion in Medicaid funding and $10 billion in support to school districts to prevent layoffs." (Source: U.S. House website: http://www.thomas.gov)
It was paid for by suspending tax credits that supporters said, "encouraged corporations to ship American jobs overseas." (Source: Perlmutter website: http://perlmutter.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=823:washington-dctoday-rep-ed-perlmutter-co-07-voted-to-save-and-create-almost-320000-jobs-nationwide-including-saving-the-jobs-of-approximately-2600-teachers-in-colorado-and-preventing-the-layoffs-of-tens-of-thousands-of-police-officers-firefighte&catid=33:press-releases&Itemid=15)
Critics, like Frazier, claim that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), otherwise known as the stimulus bill which Perlmutter supported, sent billions of dollars to foreign firms and overseas suppliers, rather than to domestic companies. (Source: Washington Times, Sept. 9: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/sep/9/green-jobs-no-longer-golden-in-stimulus/print/)
Perlmutter's campaign disputes the Washington Times article stating in an e-mail to 9NEWS: "The tax credit they are referring to is the Manufacturing Tax Credit in ARRA (Also called 48c). Directly below is the link to the recipients of the $2.3 billion manufacturing tax credit (48C Program), which was a competitively awarded program based on things like: jobs created in U.S.; emissions impact and speed to coming online. You can sort by technology if interested (wind turbines, wind blades, wind towers), but you'll see specific town, state for the manufacturing facility receiving the funding. These awards were for specific new American manufacturing facilities. None of the tax credits went to jobs overseas. (Source: White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/100108-48c-Selection-Final-With%20Projects.xls)
"It is important to note - #128, 129, 130 were for Vestas, including the Brighton plant. This is a perfect example of a Foreign company (Danish) that opened American manufacturing facilities in America that used the manufacturing tax credit to create American jobs. Yes, Vestas is a foreign company and yes, they have employees all over the world but that is not a relevant argument to ARRA or 48c."
QUOTE: Creating jobs in Colorado is my No. 1 priority. I'm Ed Perlmutter and I approved this message.
TRUTH: This is an opinion.
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