Fee = Tax: AFP sends message to the General Assembly
By JR Hoeft | Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 | PolicySubj: AFP Response to rumors of fee increases.
Dear Legislator:
Thank you for the tough tasks you are undertaking on behalf of the commonwealth this year.
While we appreciate the political expediency of raising revenues to finance continued overspending, we hope the governor and the General Assembly will follow the clear message sent by voters that our state needs a return to true fiscal conservatism and make the more difficult decision to cut unnecessary spending. That means living within our means, not treating taxpayers as a ATM machine to keep profligate state spending going.
Virginia taxpayers can’t afford to pay any more of their heard-earned money to government, in the form of taxes or fees. To taxpayers, whether you call it a fee or a tax, it means money paid to government that can’t be spent on our own lives, businesses, and families. Our more than 24,000 Virginia members will continue to be grateful for the courage you show in opposing any plans that increase taxes and fees in these tough economic times.
Americans for Prosperity will soon be presenting clear recommendations that can balance the budget with no new taxes or fees. We urge the General Assembly to follow that approach.
Sincerely,
Benjamin Marchi
State Director
Americans for Prosperity
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About the author
Conservative to the core; liberal with his opinion! J.R. has been involved in politics for over a decade and has worked on several campaigns in Hampton Roads. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Chesapeake and the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia. He is also the director of “Blogs United” in Virginia. E-mail J.R.. Follow J.R. on Twitter.
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5 Responses to "Fee = Tax: AFP sends message to the General Assembly"
Frankly, in regard to funding for transportation, the message above requires the reader to take absolute leave of all their senses in order to believe any of it. Fact is, those who subscribe to the “no new taxes” approach have caused the greatest deterioration of our once proud highway system in the history of the Commonwealth. Conditions in Virginia are more like a third world country than the greatest nation in the world. Potholes, abandoned bridges, billions in deferred maintenance, borrowing to meet the federal match; frankly, it could not be much worse, but of course, unless we pay more taxes, fees, and tolls, it will get worse, and quickly. A recent economic development prospect here in Hampton Roads who was from Europe quietly asked a question…”what is wrong with your roads?”
“No tax increases” was the election theme and I expect the Va GOP to keep their word. A fee is a tax increase… Charging local school/city and state employees 5% into VRS is also a tax increase…
So far, all I’ve seen is hundreds of millions more in increased spending and more money coming out of the citizens/employees pockets.
Nothing has changed except the names on the office doors in Richmond.
(A recent economic development prospect here in Hampton Roads who was from Europe quietly asked a question…”what is wrong with your roads?”)
Did you tell him “We don’t have fuel taxes amounting to 2 to 5 bucks a gallon”
Actually, he left for North Carolina so fast there was not time to make that quip.
There goes Bailey again, complaining about a PRE-TAX 5% contribution to his own retirement account! Let’s put the tolls back on 264 to the Beach. Every time I hit a pot hole in my Smart Kar I lose sight of the car in front of me. Whatta think? Five bucks too much for one-way?
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