[xzins]

Gail, about 20 years or so ago, Ohio added a state income tax that the state claimed would be the end of the road so far as tax is concerned. That baby has grown to a complexity that rivals the federal morass of paperwork.

And....just last week a big news article about a 50c a pack increase in the cigarette tax to help fund ....God knows what new spending. And there was the lottery. And there have been tax increases and fees and ....

You know the story. The POLITICIANS will continue to spend and continue to create crises designed to get more cash. There is no end to their appetite for more money.

[GailA]

They are also wanting a 30 cent hike in the cig tax. Our neighboring state of Arkansas has a 7% income tax, a sales tax, cig tax and all the other taxes Tennessee does and they are hemoraging red ink too. Alabama can't give their tax serfs their income tax refunds because of their red ink. SPENDING. NO will to cut. naifeh and roachelle won't let the cut bills be brought up. King naifeh is UNCHALLENGED. Mae Beavers a brave, honest GOP Rep is challenging the roach. GO MAE GO!

[DennisR]

Okay, we have the same problem in Washington State. But what can we do about it? Neither Democrats nor Republicans seem to understand the insanity of what they are doing. If I was to be elected to State government, I would not vote for any budget that exceeded 4.5% of the cumulative income of the citizens of Washington. Four percent would be even better. As it is, Washington State spends about 6%, which is about $1800 per person per year!!! So my question, again, is what can we do about it? It seems like it is a train which is out of control--no one can stop it, and those who might have power to stop it do not care or are not able.