Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush told the Tampa Bay Times in an interview published today that he thought both parties should embrace the Simpson-Bowles committee’s budget reform proposals. He said GOP leaders should consider is even though that might mean a tax increase as part of any deficit reduction deal:
Tampa Bay Times: Would you have embraced Simpson-Bowles?
Bush: To save the country’s fiscal future? I would.
Tampa Bay Times: Even though it has tax increases.
Bush: That’s the part of leadership. … Our biggest problem is spending, by far. But in order to get 60 votes for entitlement reform and tax reform to revitalize our economy and create hope for people? That’s what leaders are supposed to do.
Bush: To save the country’s fiscal future? I would.
Tampa Bay Times: Even though it has tax increases.
Bush: That’s the part of leadership. … Our biggest problem is spending, by far. But in order to get 60 votes for entitlement reform and tax reform to revitalize our economy and create hope for people? That’s what leaders are supposed to do.
