“I’m not in the camp that believes it’s important to raise taxes,” Toomey told an audience of about 250 people on Thursday in this small rural town named after the former Olympic athlete from the early 20th century. “I would say we have an absurd tax code that has so many ridiculous features that are there because special interests have carved them out. I’m all in favor of reforming it so we can get rid of those kinds of features.”
Toomey, however, is careful not to go out too far on a limb. In an interview after his town-hall meeting Thursday, Toomey wouldn’t answer directly if he’d be open to backing a tax reform package that lowered corporate and individual rates but led to a net increase in revenue by eliminating certain tax deductions.
Toomey’s toned down rhetoric on the road in Pennsylvania has some Democrats hoping he’ll be a serious negotiator on the supercommittee rather than just a “no” vote.
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