House Passes Tax-Increase Bill (Handwriting is now on the wall)

Richmond Times-Dispatch ^ | Apr 13, 2004 | Richmond Times-Dispatch

[P8riot]

After spending the day convening, recessing, reconvening and caucusing, the Virginia House of Delegates voted 52-46 this afternoon in favor of a bill whose passage could signal the beginning of the end of Virginia's three-month budget crisis.

The delegates voted about 5:15 p.m. on a bill that would raise about $850 million through higher sales and cigarette taxes, as well as other fee changes.

[P8riot]

Ahhh, now they've gone and done it!

[EggsAckley]

Wow, raising from 4.5 to 5%! Out here in La-La land we already pay 8.75% sales tax.

[familyofman]

"...raising from 4.5 to 5%! Out here in La-La land we already pay 8.75% sales tax."

Everybody loves to complain - just give us our time to fuss & fret. We're not going the way of the 'wicked west' - yet.

[Doohickey]

House of Delegates pass compromise budget bill
By Mike Porter
NBC12 News
Tuesday, April 13, 2004

The Virginia House of Delegates narrowly voted to approve a budget bill. Delegates voted 52-to-46 to send their budget bill over to the Senate. The House "Budget Compromise Bill" survived more than a dozen attempts to unravel the deal.

It was stop and go all day. On Tuesday, sheriffs visited the House sending a message with their presence that they want delegates to approve a budget that boosts spending for law enforcement.

But, delegates who oppose tax increases sent a message of their own – like Del. Dick Black, R-Sterling, who spoke before the group with a “No Tax Hike” sign.

Delegates defeated amendments to lower and raise the tax amounts and others designating the money to specific purposes.

"We need to defeat this amendment, defeat the other poison pills, move on and pass this bill," says Del. Albert Pollard, D-White Stone.

And as delegates prepared to break for several hours before the vote, there was some final “food for thought.” Henrico Del. Jack Reid held a newspaper article in his hand as he said, “Newspaper article here from the Associated Press and I would read. [It] asked if the Senate and the House were any closer to a compromise. Chichester said and I quote, ‘I don't think so. Have fun guys.’"

The story also quotes sources who say the Senate wants to add about $800-million more to the House proposal -- putting those 17-or-so breakaway House Republicans who joined Democrats in pushing the compromise in a tough spot.

Senators say they can't debate specifics in the House budget bill until it comes over to them. But, they made no guarantees.

"As to what the committee will do with it tomorrow remains to be seen." says Senator John Chichester, R-Stafford.

The major change was approved in the bill passed by the House Tuesday, delegates decided to keep real estate recordation fees at current levels. This is a big curve ball with the Senate because it lowers the amount of revenue raised in the House Bill from $972 million to $748 million.

Now, it goes over to the Senate. The Senate Finance Committee takes it up Wednesday morning, then the full Senate may take it up on Friday and the House isn’t back until next Tuesday.

[Doohickey]

Can't find the recorded vote...help? :)

[GummyIII]

FYI....

[GummyIII]

Bill as passed

Can't find voting record.

[Gabz]

Here you go!

House Roll Call

Delegates are listed by name and hometown with district in parentheses. VOTING YES

Democrats (35)

Alexander, Norfolk (89); Amundsen, Fairfax (44); Armstrong, Henry (10); BaCote, Newport News (95); Barlow, Isle of Wight (64); Baskerville, Richmond (71); Bland, Petersburg (63); Brink, Arlington (48); Councill, Southampton (75); Ebbin, Arlington (49); Eisenberg, Arlington (47); Hall, Richmond (69); Howell, A.T., Norfolk (90); Hull, Fairfax (38); Johnson, Washington (4); Jones, D.C., Richmond (70); Keister, Pulaski (6); Lewis, Accomack (100); Melvin, Portsmouth (80); Miles, Charles City (74); Moran, Alexandria (46); Petersen, Fairfax City (37); Phillips, Dickenson (2); Plum, Fairfax (36); Pollard, Lancaster (99); Scott, J.M., Fairfax (53); Shannon, Fairfax (35); Shuler, Montgomery (12); Sickles, Fairfax (43); Stump, Buchanan (3); Van Landingham, Alexandria (45); Van Yahres, Charlottesville (57); Ward, Hampton (92); Ware, O., Roanoke City (11); Watts, Fairfax (39).

Republicans (17)

Bryant, Lynchburg (23); Callahan, Fairfax (34); Carrico, Grayson (5); Dillard, Fairfax (41); Fralin, Roanoke City (17); Hurt, Pittsylvania (16); Ingram, Hopewell (62); Jones, S.C., Suffolk (76); Marshall, D.W., Danville (14); Morgan, Gloucester (98); Nutter, Montgomery (7); Oder, Newport News (94); Parrish, Manassas (50); Reese, Fairfax (67); Rust, Fairfax (86); Scott, E.T., Culpeper (30); Tata, Virginia Beach (85).

VOTING NO

Democrats (2)

Joannou, Portsmouth (79); Spruill, Chesapeake (77).

Republicans (44)

Albo, Fairfax (42); Athey, Warren (18); Bell, Albemarle (58); Black, Loudoun (32); Byron, Campbell (22); Cline, Rockbridge (24); Cole, Spotsylvania (88); Cosgrove, Chesapeake (78); Cox, Colonial Heights (66); Drake, Norfolk (87); Dudley, Franklin County (9); Frederick, Prince William (52); Gear, Hampton (91); Griffith, Salem (8); Hamilton, Newport News (93); Hargrove, Hanover (55); Hogan, Halifax (60); Howell, W.J., Stafford (28); Hugo, Fairfax (40); Janis, Henrico (56); Kilgore, Scott (1); Landes, Augusta (25); Lingamfelter, Prince William (31); Louderback, Page (15); Marrs, Chesterfield (68); Marshall, R.G, Prince William (13); May, Loudoun (33); McDonnell, Virginia Beach (84); McDougle, Hanover (97); McQuigg, Prince William (51); Nixon, Chesterfield (27); O'Bannon, Henrico (73); Orrock, Spotsylvania (54); Purkey, Virginia Beach (82); Rapp, York (96); Reid, Henrico (72); Saxman, Staunton (20); Sherwood, Frederick (29); Suit, Virginia Beach (81); Wardrup, Virginia Beach (83); Ware, R.L., Powhatan (65); Weatherholtz, Rockingham (26); Welch, Virginia Beach (21); Wright, Lunenburg (61).

DID NOT VOTE

Independents (2) Abbitt, Appomattox (59); Putney, Bedford (19).

[GummyIII]

Thanks, Gabz....... I wanted to see it, too.

[sultan88]

Well, Riley Ingram will get no more campaign cash from me!!

[P8riot]

Wow, raising from 4.5 to 5%! Out here in La-La land we already pay 8.75% sales tax.

That is the fault of the voters, not keeping tighter reigns on the government. Rest assured, there will probably be a backlash come election time. Virginia is noted for it (with a few notable exceptions). La-La land keeps electing the same type of politicians time after time. I don't knock California voters. It just doesn't seem like you have much of a pool of viable conservatives to draw from.

I am a native Californian, born in Riverside County, raised in Orange and San Diego Counties, and went to college at USC. When I left California in 1982 the sales tax was 6%, I guess you could say that we have been fortunate here in Virginia, until now.

But it doesn't mean we have to like it.

[P8riot]

I like Marshall's style:

AMENDMENT(S) REJECTED BY THE HOUSE

DEL. MARSHALL

1. Line 13, title, substitute, after the

strike

Tax Reform Compromise

insert

Net Tax Increase

If it walks like a duck.....

[Doohickey]

Thanks. Jack Reid done me proud.

[Mudboy Slim]

"Bryant, Lynchburg (23); Callahan, Fairfax (34); Carrico, Grayson (5); Dillard, Fairfax (41); Fralin, Roanoke City (17); Hurt, Pittsylvania (16); Ingram, Hopewell (62); Jones, S.C., Suffolk (76); Marshall, D.W., Danville (14); Morgan, Gloucester (98); Nutter, Montgomery (7); Oder, Newport News (94); Parrish, Manassas (50); Reese, Fairfax (67); Rust, Fairfax (86); Scott, E.T., Culpeper (30); Tata, Virginia Beach (85)."

Old Dominion FReepers, These RINOs Shall Feel Our Wrath!!! Let them hear from YOU!!

FReegards...MUD

[Mudboy Slim]

Actually, this is only a stumble...the Senate may reject the House's compromise and come back for more...if they do, the House will haveta accept it via another vote. Let's keep the pressure on and let 17 Delegates know--in no uncertain terms--that they've already OVER-compromised and any TaxIncreasePlan should be taken to the voters as a referendum.

FReegards...MUD

[familyofman]

"...any TaxIncreasePlan should be taken to the voters as a referendum."

I think the time has already passed on that idea for this round, from a practical point of view. It will be interesting to see what type of 'gamers' the senate will be. My guess is they are going to press their advantage & go for more - not a bad strategy when you have your opponent already giving ground. Pressing the issue too far can also backfire & put the senate in a bad light. It won't be long before we see how the senate wants to play their hand.

[Gabz]

Pardon my lack of knowledge on the subject.....but could someone give me a quick briefing on how the committee system works in the Senate?

Will they discuss the House version today, and possible changes, and then present the bill as is or will changes to the full Senate on Friday?

I guess I'm basically asking is can or does the committee amend it and present the amended version to the full body, or do they present the current version and then amend it from the floor?

[Mudboy Slim]

"I think the time has already passed on that idea for this round..."

Whichever round, it's always the Right's fallback position.

"It will be interesting to see what type of 'gamers' the senate will be. My guess is they are going to press their advantage & go for more - not a bad strategy when you have your opponent already giving ground. Pressing the issue too far can also backfire & put the senate in a bad light. It won't be long before we see how the senate wants to play their hand."

We should make it very clear that the House has already OVER-compromised and NO TAX INCREASE will be what the Senate gets back if they refuse this.

FReegards...MUD

BTW...HOO needs DemonRATS when you have RINOs?!!

[Mudboy Slim]

I'm no expert, but I believe any change whatsoever requires the whole bill to go back before both houses...MUD

[jla]

Mr. Ingram, You're vote on the budget 'compromise' was very disappointing.
Anyone can continue robbing the citizen's by raising their taxes,
and make no mistake, 'robbing' is an accurate descriptive.
It is the height of arrogance that some of our elected
representatives think they can deceive the public instead
of being responsible and take steps to reducing the state's outlays.

I'm new to your district since last August.
But I am without a doubt going to whatever possible,
along with some other constituents, to see that you're
not given the chance to invoke socialist policy on
Virginia in the future.