Posted on 01/20/2006 10:21:02 AM PST by iceskater
Virginia Senate leaders unveiled a plan Friday to raise an additional $4 billion to transportation.
The plan proposes phasing-in a raise of the sales tax on automobiles from three percent to five percent. That's the same sales tax for other purchases. And, it would phase out the sales tax exemption on gasoline over four years.
Governor Tim Kaine announces his transportation plan this afternoon.
Richmond ping.
I knew this was going to happen.
I also heard on WRVA is afternoon that Chichester (I think) is proposing to INCREASE gas taxes!
It will help to kill the automobile industry.
Lord knows the luxury tax went over real well.
"phasing out the sales tax exemption" just sounds so much less like a tax increase than "raise the gas tax by 5%."
The Senate "Republican" leader of the senate once again will make a democrat governor look downright moderate in comparison, like in 2004 when Warner's billion dollar tax increase looked bad until the republican senate leader proposed a 4 billion dollar increase.
I'm so mad about this I could just scream.
I know my blood pressure has just spiked about 30 points.
Damn, I might have to consider living in MD now.
I know what you mean.
Sounds very Democrat-ick.
Dear Senator Stosch and Delegate Reid- I am writing as one of your constituents to indicate my extreme displeasure at these discussions about increasing the gas tax and the sales tax on cars that I've been hearing today.
With the price of gas already at record levels, increasing the gas tax will create an awful burden on lower income citizens.
Furthermore, with the state already running huge budget surpluses, it is irresponsible to even consider raising any taxes at all.
Additionally, VDOT has not exactly been a good steward of the taxpayers' money. I do not think they should get one more nickel until they can demonstrate clearly and consistently that they can manage the money they already get.
Live within your means! We all have to do that in our lives and the state should be even more careful about spending the taxpayers' money.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Nice letter. I'll be sending one to Sen. Watkins. My delegate is one of the good guys, but I'll send him an email too. It's really disgusting that there are legislators who think we need to pay more in taxes. The Warner budget was $10,000,000,000 more than the last one. One would think that would be enough to cover whatever spending they could think of.
It's never enough.
As my tagline used to say, "No nation ever taxed itself into prosperity." I think these people forget just exactly whose money this is.
These two are of particular note:
Furthermore, with the state already running huge budget surpluses, it is irresponsible to even consider raising any taxes at all.
Additionally, VDOT has not exactly been a good steward of the taxpayers' money. I do not think they should get one more nickel until they can demonstrate clearly and consistently that they can manage the money they already get.
Not even a week into his administration and he's got his hand in our pockets. Seems like someone would have warned the sheeple.
Oh wait! We did!
But I gotta admit, I 'bout peed my pants when I heard he's giving the response to the SOTU.
When his time is up, they'll hold up a sign that says "Stop Forrest! Stop!"
Excise taxes.........the easy way out.
All these gas tax increase proposals are a smoke screen for the more than one cigarette tax increases coming down the pike. One that has already been introduced is for 50cents a pack, which would make VA's tax higher than most surrounding states. Another is to allow all counties toadd their own for revenue in lieu of higher real estate property taxes. there will be so much screaming about the gas tax, no one will notice an increase on cigarettes - except of course the smokers, who once again will be a minority paying the bills of the majority.
Excise taxes are regressive and only hurt those least able to afford them, most especially a tax on gasoline when there is no other means of transportation than driving.
But as a smoker I will be damned if I will sit by quietly while $3million dollar homes are going up along the shore lines of the Eastern Shore and I'm expected to pony up money so their property taxes don't go up. BRAVO SIERRA.
Don't mind me, but I am on a tear today about the way the Shore is being treated by Richmond.........
Ditto.
Yeah I know my barn needs a facelift and I need to repair my fences, but with the gas money I save I should be able to afford it.
This really should come as no surprise, especially to all of the Republicans who voted for Kaine. This past Gubernatorial election showed the Virginians LOVE higher taxes, and simply can't wait to give their money to the State of Virginia, in one form or another. I hope they enjoy the next 4 years of higher taxes.
As for me, I'm trying to relocate back home to Nevada.
With present company excepted, this has got to be the dumbest state in the union and I can not stand the stupidity of Virginians any longer.
What a mistake it was to move here. I regret the decision every minute of every day!!
We have a budget surplus of over half a $ Billion. The first thing the Honorable Mr. Kaine did was propose even more taxes!
Our surplus is 1.2 Billion and growing. We should be refunding money to the taxpayers, rather than raising taxes again.
This proposal is from Chichester and his band of liberal Senate Republicans.
Email your delegate and Va Senator and tell them to say NO to any new taxes or fees.
Then email Kaine and tell him to VETO any new taxes and fees. They need to hear from us, not just the unions, NEA and others that want higher taxes.
Kaine's email for now is:
contactus@govelect.virginia.gov
1.2 $Billion!
Talk about taxpayers being overcharged for government services!
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