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Mass. Senate Candidates Differ Sharply on Taxes

AP

Republican Senator Scott Brown and Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren have sharp differences when it comes to taxes, with both claiming their policies would lower taxes for the middle class.

Brown and Warren both support extending Bush-era tax cuts for families earning less than $250,000 per year. Warren, however, wants the cuts to expire after December 31 for those above that income level, while Brown would extend cuts for Americans in all tax brackets.

Warren said Brown's stance essentially holds middle-income taxpayers "hostage" and make it harder to reduce the U.S. budget deficit.

Brown has accused Warren of supporting what would amount to the largest total increase since World War II.

Warren backs the so-called Buffet rule that would require millionaires pay at least 30 percent of their income in taxes. Brown opposes it.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Lucas Willard is a news reporter and host at WAMC Northeast Public Radio, which he joined in 2011. He produces and hosts The Best of Our Knowledge and WAMC Listening Party.