Warner calls for tax rise/$2.4 billion new spending would include schools, health care and prisons

Richmond Times Dispatch ^ | 12-18-03 | MICHAEL HARDY

[putupon]

Facing a skeptical legislature, Gov. Mark R. Warner recommended tax and budgetary remedies yesterday that he believes will deliver on the state's commitments to public education, transportation, health care and fiscal integrity.

A confident Warner, some of whose marquee programs have been mutilated by a GOP-dominated General Assembly, called for tax increases and major spending to enable state government to live up to its promises to Virginians.

[putupon]

This is what we're up against; Wormers' impotent w/out them:
RINO speaks:

"This is a good beginning," said Sen. Thomas K. Norment Jr., R-James City, the Senate GOP floor leader.

[putupon]

Ping

[Gabz]

Commitment to education, modernization of the tax structure and fiscal integrity are the hallmarks of his program. Tax increases on sales, cigarettes and the wealthiest Virginians produce most of the cash for Warner's spending plan.

But he also is offsetting the increases, so that by 2006, he said, an estimated 65 percent of Virginians will pay less to the state because of income-tax breaks, cuts in the groceries tax and the eventual full phaseout of the car tax.

Talking out of both sides of his mouth.................sales and excise taxes disproportionally hit those least able to afford tax increases the hardest.

[Corin Stormhands]

Was Norment drinking again when he said that?

I know Jack Reid. I'll have a chat with him. I'll also be checking in with Brad Marrs and Sam Nixon in the House and Steve Martin in the Senate.

[AppyPappy]

Rep Dave Nutter told me the knives are out. Warner won't get everything he wants.

[Corin Stormhands]

And remind me again. Didn't the RATS say during the Allen and Gilmore Administrations that we spent too much on prisons?

[familyofman]

"I hate to say that, but the thing of it is, nobody wants an increase in their taxes," said Ingram, a member of the appropriations committee. "But I also recognize the needs of the commonwealth and the need to keep the Triple-A [bond] rating."

I will be contacting my local reps in Loudoun County just to remind them how important the bond rating is. It is a lot easier to get a downgrade than it is to get an upgrade after a downgrade (usually a minimum of 2 years of proven performance and committment to fiscal responsibility). It seems fiscal responsibilty may finally trump campaign slogans and irrational budgeting.

[putupon]

Warner won't get everything he wants.

I'll be mad with the GOP if Warner gets anything he wants.

[iceskater]

You said it!

[Wheee The People]

There are no good taxes but at least they will add 25-75 cents to each pack of cigarettes. And that will be sweeeeeet.

[putupon]

There are no good taxes but at least they will add 25-75 cents to each pack of cigarettes

I disagree.

Raising cigarette taxes will help wreck Phillip Morris, one of the few tax resources the City of Richmond has, and is insulting to employees, shareholders, and supporting industries such as machinery manufacturers alike, especially after they (PM) tell NYC where to stick it and move their HQ here.

Only a carpetbagging, low-rent, Yankee like Weiner would consider anything so rude.

(He ain't one of
us, you know.)

The smokers will find their butts in NC, Indian Reservations, the internet or wherever anyhow if the price gets too high.

[staytrue]

In his speech Warner praised state employees for their dedication and hard work during the cuts, streamlinings and additional demands during the last two years.

I guess warner could not have made this statement ever.

"In his speech Warner praised private sector employees for their dedication and hard work during the recession, streamlinings and additional demands during the last two years, or for shouldering the burden of paying for all state govt. expenditures.

[staytrue]

Hi Bill, could you email my comments in #12 to the richmond times ? I would, but I think it might get published if the sender is in VA and you need to give name and address I think to get something published.

[Gopher Broke]

The VA General Assembly goes back into session from Jan 14 until sometime in March. Call your delegate and senator and tell them NO NEW TAXES and NO TAX HIKES.

Click on this link to lookup your delegate/senator from your address: http://www.sbe.state.va.us/VotReg/Polling_Place/Polling_Place_Lookup_request.htm

Then, click here to track bills and look up the email/phone/address of your delegate/senator: http://leg1.state.va.us/

If you want to send a message to Gov. Warbucks about his tax increase, the LARGEST in VA History, click on this link: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Contact/email_form.html

[steve-b]

Nevertheless, O'Bannon described Warner's proposals as "a good start. I have some concerns that we really have not addressed the savings part or the cost-cutting side as much as we still need to do."

Warner has made no sincere effort to cut spending. Hell, he still has a $400m stadium boondoggle that is not wanted by the locals on the table.

He's simply pulling another Washington Monument scam, like he did earlier in his term by closing a bunch of DMV offices.

[talleyman]

I'll need to contact other representatives - I live in Richmond (where we elect criminals to fight crime...)