A group of Peninsula Republicans are uniting to fight this fall's transportation tax referendum.
Roughly 50 people, mostly GOP activists, organized a still-unnamed group Friday, according to three people who attended the group's initial meeting. The group members share a belief that it's wrong to raise the sales tax in order to build more roads, said Brenda Pogge, a prominent Hampton Republican who played a key role in coordinating the group.
"This is about raising taxes," Pogge said. "It's not as much about building roads. Hampton Roads would have the highest sales tax in Virginia."
Pogge's husband, Roger, a former chairman of the Republican committee for the 1st Congressional District, was chosen to lead the group, although he and his wife are working together on defeating the referendum.
Their plan is to refute a campaign by a broad coalition of business leaders and elected officials - both Democrat and Republican - who are urging voters to raise the sales tax from 4.5 cents to 5.5 cents on the dollar.
That money would pay for $7.7 billion in transportation projects, including another bridge-tunnel across Hampton Roads and widening Interstate 64 on the Peninsula.
Pogge said the projects will cost more than advertised, and the tax increase will cost an average family more than the $100 a year that the advocates, who call themselves The Yes Campaign, say it will.
While relieving congestion sounds like a good idea, Pogge said, some of the highways in the referendum wouldn't be complete for 20 years.
"These soccer moms are going to be soccer grandmas before these projects are completed," she said.
Governor Mark Warner is having trouble selling his tax scheme to the voters. BWAHAHAHAHA
Opportunities to get involved in the anti-tax increase fight:
NORTHERNVIRGINIAGOP.COM AGENDA Newsletter
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James Parmelee, Chairman - NorthernVirginiaGOP.com * * * September 2002
An e-mail & fax newsletter for GOP Activists
To subscribe or unsubscribe contact
JTParmelee@aol.com
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THIS ISSUE'S HEADLINES
* Virginia YR State Convention & VCA Anti-Tax Conference - THIS SATURDAY - September 7
* Sign Blitz and More - How You Can Help Defeat the Sales Tax Hike
* 6th Annual NORTHERNVIRGINIAGOP.COM & NOVA Coalition to Stop the Sales Tax "Monday Night Football" FUNdraiser - September 16
* Fairfax Chamber of Commerce Sales Tax Hike Debate - Parmelee & Miller vs. Hanley & Lewis
* NORTHERNVIRGINIAGOP.COM TV - 21 cable systems, over 3 million potential viewers!
* Mark Your Calendars Now - Upcoming GOP events - (for an almost daily update of this events list, bookmark and go to www.northernvirginiagop.com/agenda.asp)
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* VIRGINIA YR STATE CONVENTION & ANTI-TAX CONFERENCE - THIS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7- BALLSTON HOLIDAY INN - Two great groups that go great together! In an alliance of two statewide conservative groups, the Virginia Conservative Alliance is having its statewide Anti-Tax conference in conjunction with the Virginia Young Republican Convention to be held September 7 at the Holiday Inn-Ballston from 10 AM to 4 PM. Speakers will include State YR Chair Marjorie Blakely, Former State GOP Chairman and current Virginia Conservative Alliance Chairman Pat McSweeney, National Club for Growth Chairman Steve Moore, Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist, Republicans United for Tax Relief President James Parmelee, Virginia Club for Growth Chairman Peter Ferrara and many more. The event will not only draw YRs and anti-tax activists of all ages, but all taxpayers are invited to attend and find out what we can do to defeat the sales tax referendum. TICKETS ARE ONLY $30 AND INCLUDE LUNCH. For hotel rooms at a special convention rate of $79 (regular rate $110), call the Holiday Inn-Ballston at (703) 243-9800 and use the discount code "VYR." For the complete program and more information, contact State YR Chair Marjorie Blakely at (703) 522-6402 or
mlblakely@aol.com.
* SIGN BLITZ & MORE - HOW YOU CAN HELP DEFEAT THE SALES TAX HIKE - In addition to attending the anti-tax events in this newsletter, we need help distributing tens of thousands of signs, flyers and bumperstickers over the next few weeks. Here's how you can get involved.
1. Volunteers for our big SIGN BLITZ are especially needed. (IF YOU HAVE EXTRA STAKES FROM PREVIOUS CAMPAIGNS AND WOULD BE WILLING TO DONATE THEM, PLEASE LET US KNOW!) To help with the sign blitz e-mail
stopthetax@msn.com.
2. We have begun delivering flyers in bulk to some of the local GOP HQ's for distribution. If the one in your area doesn't have them, downloadable flyers are available at
http://www.northernvirginiagop.com/flyers.asp.
3. Our volunteer phone banks start next week, to help with the phone banks, call Howie Lind at (703) 506-0450.
4. In addition, on Saturday, September 14 starting at 6 PM we'll be Protesting Gov. "Tax-Hike" Warner and DNC Chair McAuliffe at the Mason Democratic Crab Feast. Please join us at 3219 Valley Lane, Falls Church. We'll be having a peaceful protest waving anti-tax signs outside of the Dems big event!
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For more info on the NOVA Coalition to Stop the Sales Tax call James Parmelee at (703) 502-0161.
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* FAIRFAX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - SALES TAX DEBATE - On September 26 from Noon to 2 PM, as part of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce's FAME Speaker Series, NorthernVirginiaGOP.com Chairman James Parmelee & the PEC's Chris Miller will face off against sales tax hike supporters Kate Hanley & Fairfax Chamber of Commerce President Mike Lewis at the Sheraton Premiere, 8661 Leesburg Pike. For lunch RSVP's call (703) 749-0409. The debate will be moderated by Channel 7's Kathleen Mathews and will have a media panel to ask questions. Questions will also be taken from the audience (700 people expected) and there will be a lot of media coverage, so even if you can't stay for lunch, please come out and show your opposition to high taxes!
* NORTHERNVIRGINIAGOP.COM TV NETWORK - Wired into 1,000,000+ homes (3,000,000+ potential viewers) on 21 cable systems! FAIRFAX COUNTY, FALLS CHURCH & FAIRFAX CITY: All 3 Cox systems-Ch.10 each Sun.-2 PM, Tue.-2 PM, Thurs.- 6:30 PM. ARLINGTON: ACT-Ch.33 each Mon.-Noon & Tue-9:30 PM. ALEXANDRIA: Comcast-Ch.10, times rotate. FREDERICKSBURG, STAFFORD & SPOTSYLVANIA: Cox-Ch. 25, times rotate. LOUDOUN: Adelphia-Ch.23 &24 every Wed.-11 PM. PR.WILLIAM & MANASSAS: Comcast-Ch.3, 2nd Fri. each month-7:30 PM. RESTON: Comcast-Ch.10 same times as Fairfax. RICHMOND: Comcast Ch. 6 in Chesterfield, Media One-Ch.38 in Richmond/Henrico/Hanover/Ashland/Goochland & Louisa, times rotate on these 7 systems. WASH DC: Cablevision-Ch.5 & Starpower-Ch.10, 1st & 3rd Sun. monthly-1:30 PM. Call: James Parmelee (703) 502-0161.
GOP CALENDAR (for more events go to www.northernvirginiagop.com/agenda.asp)
Do you know of an event our 10,800+ subscribers should know about? Let us know at (703) 502-0161 or
JTParmelee@aol.com. NOTE: Some event details may change after publication, so we recommend you check www.northernvirginiagop.com/agenda.asp before attending.
9/5 - Arlington GOP Women's Club/Arlington GOP Committee Spaghetti Dinner - 6:30-8 PM, Lyon Village Community Center $20/$8 kids. Call: (703) 538-7135.
9/5 - Alexandria GOP Committee Meeting - 7:30 PM, Minnie Howard School Cafeteria. Call: (703) 823-1801.
9/5 - Falls Church GOP Committee Meeting - 7:30 PM, Falls Church Community Center, 221 Little Falls Street. Call: (703) 536-2277.
9/7 - 2002 VYR State Convention & Anti-Tax Conference - (see article above) Call: State YR Chair Marjorie Blakely (703) 522-6402.
9/7 - "Road To Richmond" Political Roundtable - 10:30-11:30 AM, NorthernVirginiaGOP.com Chair James Parmelee debates Dems live on Fairfax Cox Cable Channel 10 (re-airs the following Mon. in Fairfax at 8 PM & Loudoun Adelphia-Ch.23 & 24 every Wed. at 7 PM.)
9/TBA - Fairfax County YR Meeting - Contact:
fairfaxcounty_yrs@hotmail.com.
9/TBA - Prince William YR Meeting - Contact:
PWCYR@aol.com.
9/TBA - Arlington YR Meeting - Contact:
ArlingtonYR@hotmail.com.
9/10 - Del. Mark Cole Breakfast w/Jerry Kilgore, Sen. John Chichester & Del. Bill Howell - 7:30-9 AM, Richmond. Call: (540) 226-9105.
9/14 - Patriot GOP Women's Club Meeting w/Author Michael Zak - 10 AM, 9963 Meadow Lark Rd, Vienna. Call: (703) 875-9242.
9/14 - Falls Church Fall Festival - 10 AM-5 PM, Volunteer at the Falls Church GOP booth, 221 Little Falls Street. Call: (703) 536-2277.
9/14 - Centreville Community Foundation Festival & Parade - Volunteer any time during the day! Call: James Parmelee (703) 502-0161.
9/14 - Protest Gov. "Tax-Hike" Warner and DNC Chair McAuliffe at the Mason Democratic Crab Feast - protest starts at 6 PM, 3219 Valley Lane, Falls Church. We'll be having a peaceful protest outside of the Dems big event! Join us and wave a sign! Call: (703) 502-0161.
9/16 - Tim Hugo for Delegate Kickoff - 6:30 P.M., Centreville VFD, 5856 Old Centreville Road. Contact:
FlanMarine@msn.com.
9/16 - 6th Annual NORTHERNVIRGINIAGOP.COM & Northern Virginia Coalition to Stop the Sales Tax Monday Night Football Fundraiser - Redskins vs. Eagles - 7:30 PM, $20. At eCiti, 8300 block of Tyco Rd, Tysons Corner. Call: James Parmelee (703) 502-0161.
9/18 - Mason District Council of Civic Associations Sales Tax Debate - Del. Brian Moran vs. Sen. Ken Cuccinelli (R) - 7:30 PM, Mason District Governmental Center, 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale.
9/19 - Del. Scott Lingamfelter's Invitational Sporting Clays Tournament - 11 AM-4 PM, Old Forge Sporting Clays, Providence Forge, VA. Tournament begins at Noon with lunch served at 2 PM. $200/$100 for lunch only. RSVP by 8/30/2002. Call: (703) 580-1294.
9/20 - Greater Vienna GOP Women's Club Meeting w/James Parmelee-NOVA Coalition to Stop the Sales Tax - 11 AM. Call: (703) 502-0161.
9/20-9/22 - Eagle Forum Council Conference w/Phyllis Schlafly & Sean Hannity - Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington. Call: (703) 243-7660.
9/22 - Fairfax Jaycees Art Show & Auction for Charity - (nonpartisan) American Legion Post 177, Fairfax. Call: James Parmelee (703) 502-0161.
9/23 - Fairfax City GOP Meeting w/The Hon. Jerry Kilgore - Call: (703) 273-2824.
9/23 - Prince William County GOP Committee Meeting w/Bill Howell - 7:30 PM, McCoart Building, 1 County Complex Ct. Call: (703) 680-7388.
9/25 - Great Falls GOP Women's Club Meeting w/Back to Basics for the Republican Party Author Michael Zak - cocktails 6:30 PM, dinner 7 PM, Riverbend Country Club, 9901 Beach Mill Road, Great Falls. Contact: Marilou Serafin at
serafinaj@aol.com.
9/25 - Fairfax County GOP Meeting - Call (703) 256-0202.
9/26 - Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce Tax Hike Debate - (see article above) NorthernVirginiaGOP.com Chairman James Parmelee & the PEC's Chris Miller will debate against tax hike supporters Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Kate Hanley & Mike Lewis. Sheraton Premiere. Call: (703) 749-0409.
9/28 - American Assn. of University Women Sales Tax Hike Debate - James Parmelee vs. Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Kate Hanley - 10 AM, Fairfax County Government Center. Open to the Public. Call: (703) 757-9859.
9/28 - George Allen's 7th Annual "Hoe-Down"- Casual Attire. Matoka, VA. Call: (804) 344-0092.
9/30 - Leadership Fairfax Sales Tax Hike Debate - w/NorthernVirginiaGOP.com's James Parmelee & Coalition for Smarter Growth's Stewart Schwartz vs. Citizens for Better Transportation's David Gurnesy & Bill Lecos - 7:30-9:30 AM. Call: (703) 502-0161.
9/TBA - Colonial GOP Women's Club Book Basket Literacy Project - Please donate children's books up to 6th Grade. Call: (703) 863-7213.
10/TBA - NORTHERNVIRGINIAGOP.COM Television Taping - Promote your candidate or issue on 21 STATIONS, call (703) 502-0161
10/3 - Colonial GOP Women's Club Golf Tournament - NEW DATE, Pohick Bay Golf Course, Lorton. Call: Julie Dime (703) 313-9718.
10/5 - Fairfax County GOP Pep Rally Breakfast - 8 AM, The Waterford of Fair Oaks. Call: (703) 256-0202.
10/5 - "Road To Richmond" Political Roundtable - 10:30-11:30 AM, NorthernVirginiaGOP.com Chair James Parmelee debates Dems live on Fairfax Cox Cable Channel 10 (re-airs the following Mon. in Fairfax at 8 PM & Loudoun Adelphia-Ch.23 & 24 every Wed. at 7 PM.)
10/6 - "Metro Talk w/Jerry Phillips" 1st Sunday Political Roundtable - 8-9 AM, WBIG-FM 100.3 and simulcast on WTEM-AM 980 - NorthernVirginiaGOP.com Chair James Parmelee debates other political commentators & elected officials on this live call-in show.
10/7 - Stafford GOP Committee Meeting - 7 PM, Stafford County Government Center. Call: (540) 899-0644.
10/11-10/12-Christian Coalition Road to Victory Conference-DC Convention Center. Call: (202) 479-6900 or go to
http://cc.org/events/schedule.html
10/12 - Bull Run GOP Women's Club's 20th Annual Fashion Show & Lunch - Evergreen Country Club, Haymarket. $24. Call: (703) 753-0204.
10/19 - Friends of NRA Dinner & Auction - Bowling Green South Country Club, Front Royal. $35 a person/$50 a couple. Call: Walt & Susan Longyear (540) 675-3679.
10/23 - 8th District VFRW Clubs' Joint Luncheon - 11:30 AM, Army Navy CC. Call your individual club for info.
10/24 - Colonial GOP Women's Club - 8th District GOP Campaign Project - Franconia Govt. Center 7:30 PM. Call: (703) 917-9242.
10/27 - WBIG-FM 100.3/WTEM-AM 980 Sales Tax Hike LIVE CALL-IN Debate - NOVA Coalition to Stop the Sales Tax's James Parmelee vs. Citizens for Better Transportation's Bill Lecos - moderated by Jerry Phillips - Call: (703) 502-0161.
11/2 - 14th Annual VYR/FCYR Roundup & Anti-Sales Tax Hike Rally - Call: State YR Chair Marjorie Blakely (703) 522-6402.
11/5 - Colonial GOP Women's Club - Targeting Local Precincts in Lee District. Call: (703) 917-9242.
11/5 - ELECTION DAY - For campaign contact numbers go to www.northernvirginiagop.com/links.htm.
11/8 - Arlington GOP Women's Club "Americanization" Meeting/Lunch - 11:30 AM, Panjshir Restaurant (924 W. Broad St., Falls Church). Guest Speaker: Former Congressman Don Ritter, Chair of the Afghanistan-American Foundation. Call: (703) 538-7135.
12/14 - Arlington GOP Women's Club Meeting - 6 PM, at the home of Randy & Loren Spencer. Call: (703) 538-7135.
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We hope you enjoyed this issue of The Northern Virginia GOP AGENDA. Published by Parmelee Associates. Paid for in part and authorized by NorthernVirginiaGOP.com-The Northern Virginia Republican Political Action Committee, a nonprofit not affiliated with national, state or local GOP committees. FEC ID# C00334417, VA-98-006. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or for questions, please contact
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I'm telling everyone I come in contact with to vote against it. I can't raise taxes to pay my bills, I get creative and things I don't need, I don't buy.
Fine by me.
Sounds like another good reason to address traffic congestion issues though the use of mass-transit systems.
Unlike widening highways, mass-transit does not increase congestion on connecting roadways that haven't been widened.
Additionally, mass-transit users do not place a burden on limited parking availability at their destinations.
DC Chapter ping since some of our members will be directly affected by the proposed tax referendum to raise the state sales tax for certain Northern Virginia areas.
We Virginians have already endured one tax increase this year in the form of the car tax which was supposed to be gone (Warner has assured us that it's here to stay during his term in office). In addition to that "Warner/democrat" tax, the appraisal for our property (homes) has skyrocketed amounting to increased taxes this year. The costs for state mandated yearly safety inspections and two-year emissions inspections have increased by $5 and $8 respectively (per licensed vehicle). Where is all this money going?
Exactly! And remember how this guy (Warner) campaigned by promising no tax increases?? And since he has been in office...he has done little but lobby for the sales tax referendum.
I guess Warner could cut education and health spending to finance the roads. That's how I'd do it if I did not wish to raise taxes. However, suppose the next propoosal is to increase your state income tax?
Supposedly, all that tax on gasoline that everyone pays is supposed to be used to build and maintain roads. This is just another tax that will not be used to help the road situation, either.