Heller ‘s job suggestions

Not that the White House asked him, but Republican Sen. Dean Heller today sent President Barack Obama his suggestions anyway on how to create jobs and spark the economy.

Obama's planned economic speech before Congress next week "provides a great opportunity to show that Democrats and Republicans can come together in a bi-partisan manner and develop sound long-term policies that can promote private sector job growth," Heller said in a  letter.

Heller's suggestions mostly reflect goals long advocated by Republicans.

-- "We must broaden the tax base by closing loopholes and reducing marginal tax rates on both individuals and businesses."  One key is to "lower corporate tax rates."

-- "Eliminate burdensome and costly regulations."

--  Pass a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget. Also cut "wasteful foreign spending," and "eliminat(e) duplicative federal government programs."

-- Establish "broad based" energy policies expanding domestic production of oil and gas while also encouraging "innovative energy technologies."

Heller recommends enacting a federal "renewable portfolio standard" similar to the one in Nevada that requires 25 percent of energy needs to be supplied by solar, geothermal and other renewable energy sources by 2025.