(VA) House bill could test coalition; to $1 billion

Richmond Times-Dispatch ^ | April 15, 2004 | BY JEFF E. SCHAPIRO

[Gabz]

Virginia senators want to squeeze at least $1 billion from a House-passed tax increase - perhaps through a local option sales tax and limits on car-tax relief - while protecting the fragile coalition of delegates that defied their chamber's anti-tax orthodoxy.

[Gabz]

There is also an article in the Virginian-Pilot, but I thought this one was the better of the two.

[Gabz]

Sorry, I don't have a set ping list....so just snagged some names from the thread about the House vote.............

A bit more time to put on a bit more pressure??????

[Mudboy Slim]

"Virginia senators want to squeeze at least $1 billion from a House-passed tax increase - perhaps through a local option sales tax and limits on car-tax relief - while protecting the fragile coalition of delegates that defied their chamber's anti-tax orthodoxy. "I think we can keep 'em together, provided it does not go over a billion," said Del. Harry J. Parrish, R-Manassas, who led 16 other Republican delegates in a revolt against a House leadership opposed to higher taxes."

That's something VA FReepers have it within their power to change...let the 17 Delegates know...NO NEW TAXES!!

"There were 17 rather brave souls that rose to the occasion and put partisanship in the rear seat for the people of Virginia," said Senate Finance Committee Chairman John H. Chichester, R-Stafford."

Those 17 "brave souls" need to know that their next vote could be the one that ends their politcal career!!

FReegards...MUD

[GottaLuvAkitas1]

"Those 17 "brave souls" need to know that their next vote could be the one that ends their politcal career!!"

We have to hold their feet to the fire on this one Mud. I say a road trip is in order.

[Gabz]

Those 17 "brave souls" need to know that their next vote could be the one that ends their politcal career!!

I don't disagree......but what about the members of the Senate with the "R" behind their names...........?

[Mudboy Slim]

Republicans (17 Brave Souls)...
"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)."

FReep the RINO 17...MUD

[iceskater]

Thanks, Gabz. Pinging my Richmond ping list just to make sure everyone sees this.

I knew the Senate was going to push for even more taxes.
I am furious.

[Mudboy Slim]

"...what about the members of the Senate with the "R" behind their names?"

We don't get another whack at the Senate til 2007, while the House comes up fer reelection in 2005. Plus, the arrogant SOBs in the Senate are too far gone to salvage on this vote...Chichester, especially, is an embarrassment fer all Republicans anywhere!!

FReegards...MUD

[iceskater]

These were among amendments that drained another $57 million.

This is exactly the mind-set that we have to turn around. Keeping the tax increases down by $57M is NOT draining money - it's letting the taxpayers keep that much more of THEIR money!!!!

[Insert Howard Dean scream one more time!]

[familyofman]

"...their next vote could be the one that ends their politcal career!"

I gotta go cynical on this one. If their prior vote was already one that would end their career - what difference does it make now? If they vote now to increase taxes more - does that put them on an okay to vote for list? I doubt that seriously. They have already stepped into the 'twilight zone' of voting for taxes - that vote can't be taken back & will not be forgotten. A condemnded man doesn't really care if you shot him after he's been hanged and electrocuted.

[Gabz]

I am furious.

Understanably so.

I have been involved as long as many of you, but I've got just as much at stake as the next guy, considering part of the reason we moved to Virginia was because of the lower cost of living than Delaware........

And I thought the behind closed door and good old boy politics of Delaware are bad.......sheesh.

I've got a lot to learn. Thank goodness for Virginia FReepers......I'm learning from you all and learning fast.

[Gabz]

Thanks.....I understand.

[GottaLuvAkitas1]

Thank you! I am going to post this to the our Richmond group. They will help.

[Truth29]

"brave souls."

How about turncoat weasels? Everyone in the districts should email write and, if possible, appear at their doorsteps to let them know just how bad the wrath of the voters will be.

[Mudboy Slim]

"If their prior vote was already one that would end their career - what difference does it make now?"

Each of the 17 delegates has about nineteen months to repair his image with conservatives before the next time we have a whack at them...a reversal of their support for higher taxes would go a good deal towards accomlishing said restoration of their reputation!!

Never give up...MUD

[iceskater]

The Founding Fathers, most of whom were from Virginia, are whirling in their graves.

[Mudboy Slim]

"...our Richmond group. They will help."

Excellent...it's always good to know folks who know folks...MUD

[hchutch]

The thing is, some of those 17 could be convinced to go the other way if the Senate pushes the tax package as high as they want.

I think we're in damage control now - Governor Mark Warner kept calling the Legislature back into special sessions until he wore down enough folks. And he had help from some state Senate Republicans.

I'm resigned to a tax increase. I just want to get it down to about $500 million.

[iceskater]

turncoat weasels works for me ;)

[Mudboy Slim]

"...appear at their doorsteps to let them know just how bad the wrath of the voters will be."

Best recommendation of all...does anyone have the contact info fer these SenileSeventeen!!

Time to start ridding the VA Republican Party of its embarrassing RINO contingent...MUD