"We have lost our ambition, our imagination, and our willingness to do the things that built the Golden Gate Bridge" - Barack Obama (aka President Malaise)
Senate Finance Committee Trashes Compromise
By Greg L | 13 February 2007 | Virginia Senate | 4 Comments
From the looks of Bill Bolling’s statement today, it seems like the Senate Finance Committee has outdone itself in trying to impose huge tax increases on the citizens of the commonwealth. “Throw the bums out” doesn’t even begin to express what I am certain many conservatives are feeling right now. This is an utter and complete outrage that merits nothing less than pitchforks and torches.
Here’s Bill Bolling’s statement, where he gets right to the heart of the matter, as usual:
RICHMOND - Earlier today, the Senate’s Committee on Finance once again rejected the compromise transportation plan that had been approved by the House of Delegates. In its place, the Committee adopted a plan that would:
- Use no existing general fund resources for transportation
- Impose a new registration fee of $150 on all vehicles at the time they are first registered in Virginia, and
- Increase the sales tax in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads.
In response to the Committee’s action, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling issued the following statement:
“Once again, I am extremely disappointed by the Senate Finance Committee’s decision to reject the compromise transportation plan offered by the House of Delegates. While the compromise plan is not perfect, it represents our best chance of getting something accomplished on transportation this year.”
“By adopting a plan that refuses to use any existing resources for transportation, the Committee has harmed our chances of reaching a transportation agreement. It makes no sense to ask the people of Virginia to pay higher taxes and fees at a time when state spending is increasing at historic levels.”
“By adopting a plan that would increase the sales tax in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, the Committee has shown a glaring disregard for the wishes of voters in those regions of the state who overwhelmingly rejected similar proposals in 2002. The voters expect their wishes to be respected, not ignored.”
“The problem in Richmond is not a lack of resources. The problem is a lack of fiscal discipline and a willingness to direct the resources we have to our highest priorities. If transportation is the most important issue currently facing Virginia that is where we should direct our money.”
“I remain hopeful that a transportation agreement can be reached before the end of the current legislative session. However, any such agreement must include the use of existing resources for transportation purposes, rather than simply imposing higher taxes and fees on the people of Virginia.”
Bill expresses a bit more hope here than I’m feeling. I’m starting to think that until we burn down the Senate, we’re never going to get anything done on this issue.
UPDATE: PolicySoup reports that both the original compromise and the Chichester alternative of horror are both alive in some fashion in the Senate. Perhaps there’s still a chance for an improved compromise transportation plan, but I still think burning down the Senate is a good idea.
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The LG is right that some of the general fund surplus should be used for transportation. I’d like to thank him for taking a strong stand for freedom.
The state senate and democrats (hard to tell the difference sometimes) seem to be attempting to move Virginia toward a socialist style of government like those in Democrat-run states.
Greg, may be right that we need to burn the Senate down and start from scratch. Chichester and some of his Senate cronies are determined to submarine the GOP majority for their own personal power play. We’d be better off if he just switched parties.
However, I’m glad Bolling is continuing to show leadership while maintaining conservative principles. We need to put this massive surplus towards transportation if it is our top priority, not raise taxes.
Lt. Governor Bolling demonstrates a superior quality of constituent focused leadership. As long as we have him in office, there is still hope.
PWC is the only County in NoVA that is paying to build it’s own roads. I’m sick and tired of paying twice and now they want to make me pay AGAIN!
PWC Economic Development Department needs to get off their %&^% and attract businesses throughout the County that are willing to help build roads.
What has Innovation done for us? Appearantly not much because residents are still the ones footing the bulk of the County Government’s tax bill .
Get the freakin liberal Dem’s out of our Economic Development Department COREY! They’re useless, reduce their budget by 18 million! Fire them all.
Hire a commissioned Real Estate firm to attract commercial developers who will be more than cooperative in footing the bill for roads and they’ll serve us in providing tax revenue for the County. We’re the 7th richest county in the Country where is our RUTH CHRIS STEAKHOUSE?
Oh and Corey, don’t forget to throw the Economic Development Council out too, all they do is wine about how useless you are! In the mean time when is the last time they met? Lets add them to the list for televised broadcasts!
Greg,
When Gilmore proposed the dumping of the dreaded car tax, I was so happy. My fellow Republican was reducing my taxes. WooHoo!!!!
Then the illegal aliens moved in with 30 to a house and fifteen Escalades parked out front. And guess what, no one in the illegal alienresidences are paying income taxes like the rest of us poor shlubs who follow the law. And when you go to the post office you have to stand in line behind the illegals who are buying $999.99 postal money orders to send to who knows where? Guess what… why not reduce the personal income tax that legal folks have to pay and start looking at taxes for the issuance of money orders and (I hate to suggest this) but the increased gas tax which would have to be paid by the illegals too. The illegals should be made to pay some sort of tax. If it has to be gas, then so be it. Can’t our Reps. in Richmond make the gas tax neutral for legal residents? How about some sort of tax credit for those Va. residents who file State Income Tax returns?