URGENT: House Finance Committe to vote on tax hike TODAY

[Gopher Broke]

House Finance Committee Votes on Tax Increase on Tue.

ACTION. If you get this in time, please contact members of the House Finance Committee before 2 PM, Tue, Apr 6th. Some Republican Delegates plan to introduce a bill to increase taxes by close to $1 billion by increasing the sales tax from 4.5% to 5%, the cigarette tax and other fees. Tell the Finance Committee if you want the tax increase – or not. If it passes the Finance Committee, it goes to the whole House the next day.

To send a message to all House Finance Committee members, you can make one TOLL-FREE call to: 1800-889-0229,

Or send an Email by clicking below:

House Finance Committee Republicans (14)

House Finance Committee Democrats (8)

For your convenience, I’ve included several “Tax Facts” below, in case you want to refresh the good delegates’ memories. Also for your convenience, click here to see a list of members of the Finance Committee.

HEADS UP. Watch for my next alert listing the 15 Republican delegates who have indicated they are willing to cave in on the House of Delegates principled stand against tax increases. Obviously, these delegates need to hear from you, the voters, if they are to heed your will. The Senate and the House have been playing a game of chicken. It looks like the House is breaking first. The taxpayers will bear the cost.

Rep Tom Davis pledges help for Delegates who vote for tax increases

Today’s Washington Post reported that U.S. Rep. Thomas M. Davis III has offered financial support for the reelection of fellow Republicans in Virginia's House of Delegates if they attempt to break the state's budget deadlock by voting for a half-cent increase in the sales tax.

Contact Rep. Tom Davis at 202-225-1492. Email: tom.davis@mail.house.gov

TAX FACTS

According to yesterday’s Washington Times, even with no tax increase, state spending would increase by more than 11 percent over the next two years (by $1.5 billion).

Sen. George Allen and Attorney General Jerry Kilgore, the likely Republican gubernatorial nominee next year -- told The Washington Times on April 2nd that it would be a huge mistake for the GOP, and, more importantly, for the economic well-being of Virginians, to enact a tax increase.

In order to reach a budget agreement, last week, the House of Delegates passed a one-year budget – with no tax increase – to avoid a government shutdown and to facilitate local government planning -- until the General Assembly can agree on a biennial budget. But, Gov. Mark Warner said he would veto it.

The Governor’s $1 billion tax increase budget proposed an education spending increase of $722 million; the House budget - with no general tax increase - increases education spending by $810 million. The Governor’s higher education increase - $134.6 million; the House - $131.7 million. The Governor’s Rainy Day Fund increase - $215 million; the House - $230 million – thus ensuring the state will keep its AAA bond rating. The Governor’s mental health increase - $27.4 million; the House - $27.4 million.

The Governor proposed Medicaid increases of $726.6 million; the House proposed $712.8 million. The Governor proposed a $28 million increase for state employee pay raises; the House - $28 million. The Governor proposed a $12 million increase for College and University Faculty pay raises; the House - $12 million. The Governor proposed a $12.4 million increase for pay raises for local government employees; the House - $12.4 million. The House budget shows essential functions can continue, with many getting large increases – without raising taxes.

MORE TAX FACTS:

Virginia’s budget & spending increased 52% in just the past 7 years (97-04), twice the rate of inflation and population growth.

There has been no cut in state spending for any year since 1997 -- despite what Gov Warner claims… Just the opposite; the budget has increased each year.

Over the past decade, Virginia has been on the 9th fastest spending binge among the 50 states.

While liberal Maryland’s budget grew by 59%, Virginia’s budget grew by 80%.

Virginia’s school spending has risen 50% since 1992.

Virginia’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) found that, between 1981 and 2001, inflation-adjusted spending for public schools increased more than nine times faster than enrollment.

From 1979-2002, per-capita state transportation spending, adjusted for inflation, did not increase -- remaining flat at only 13.1% of the budget.

Virginia spends 3 times as much (and Fairfax County spends 10 times as much) on schools as on transportation – despite studies showing no correlation between spending and performance in schools.

At the current rate of revenue increase (over 8%), Virginia’s tax revenue is estimated to increase by about $1.5 billion next year – EVEN WITH NO TAX INCREASE.

Local taxes are increasing at several times the rate of inflation in many localities, especially in northern Virginia.

Federal, state and local taxes consume 29% of median family income – more than for food, clothing, and housing combined. (Tax Foundation, 2003)

The family tax burden doubled as a percent of income from 1958 to 1998.

Members of the House Finance Committee

Chair Parrish, Harry J. (R-Manassas)

Vice Chair: Purkey, Harry R. (R-Va Bch)

Members:

Orrock, Robert D., Sr. (R-Thornburg)

*Drake, Thelma (R-Norfolk)

Louderback, Allen L. (R-Luray)

*Ware, R. Lee, Jr. (R-Powhatan)

Welch, John J., III (R-Va Bch)

*Nixon, Samuel A., Jr. (R-Chesterfield)

*Byron, Kathy J. (R-Lynchburg)

*Lingamfelter, L. Scott (R-Woodbridge)

*Cole, Mark L. (R-Stafford)

O'Bannon, John M., III (R-Richmond)

*Janis, William R. (R-Oilville)

*Hugo, Timothy D. (R-Clifton)

Johnson, Joseph P., Jr.(D-Abingdon)

Melvin, Kenneth R. (D-Portsmouth)

Van Yahres, Mitchell (D-Charlottesville)

Hull, Robert D. (D-Falls Church)

Watts, Vivian E. (D-Annandale)

Hall, Franklin P. (D-Richmond)

Shannon, Stephen C. (D-Vienna)

Lewis, Lynwood W., Jr. (D-Eastern shore)

Republicans are in bold. *= known to oppose tax increase; the other Republicans may be squishy. Democrats that might (big maybe...) vote NO are Johnson, Shannon, Lewis. All the other Democrats usually vote FOR tax increases.

To Email individual delegates: Del_lastname@house.state.va.us

(Underscore between Del_Lastname)

[11th Earl of Mar]

Ever consider putting WHICH STATE the story is about in your TITLE?

There are 50 different states, you know, each one of them, I'm sure, with their own version of a "House Finance Committee."

There is also a "House Finance Committee" in the UNITED STATES Congress.

FYI

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