Kamala Harris is set to announce initiatives on Wednesday aimed at assisting small US businesses, according to her campaign, as the Democratic presidential nominee expands her economic policy agenda in preparation for a pivotal debate with Donald Trump. The Vice President will advocate for tax incentives and a reduction in bureaucratic hurdles for smaller enterprises during a campaign event in New Hampshire. Since stepping in for President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee, Harris has garnered significant support, promising an 'opportunity economy,' though she has been scrutinized for not fully outlining her strategies.
A campaign official revealed that Harris plans to 'propose a tenfold increase in tax relief for small business startups and aim for 25 million new small business applications within her first term.' This initiative would boost the tax deduction for startup costs from $5,000 to $50,000. Her address in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, will precede a town hall event with former President Trump on Fox News in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a key swing state. The candidates are fiercely contesting tax policies, with Trump accusing Harris of mimicking his policy of exempting tips from service workers' taxes and promising broad tax reductions.
In contrast, Harris is advocating for higher taxes on corporations and wealthier households. The first presidential debate between Trump and Harris is scheduled for September 10 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Harris is expected to remain in the state to prepare for the debate following a campaign visit to Pittsburgh, her second trip to the city this week after appearing with Joe Biden on Monday. Since Biden's withdrawal from the race six weeks ago, the 59-year-old Democrat has overtaken Trump in the polls.
A recent USA Today/Suffolk University poll showed Harris ahead of Trump, 48% to 43%, marking an eight-point shift from Trump's lead over Biden in late June. Harris has made significant inroads with critical demographics, including Hispanic and Black voters and younger individuals. Trump criticized Harris prior to her New Hampshire visit, suggesting her campaign faced challenges there due to Biden's decision to remove New Hampshire's traditional status as the first state to hold a primary election. He also cited high living costs in the state. However, New Hampshire is not considered a decisive battleground state for the November election; it has consistently voted Democratic for the past 20 years, with election forecaster Larry Sabato recently adjusting its status from 'leans Democratic' to 'likely Democratic.'
