Press Release
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BOLLING CRITICIZES DEMOCRATS SUPPORT FOR HIGHER TAXES
Democrats ban together to support higher taxes while bypassing numerous other ways to solve Virginia's transportation challenges
Wednesday, June 25, 2008Richmond - Earlier today, Democrats in the Senate of Virginia gave their approval to legislation that would substantially increase taxes on Virginia's families and businesses. In response to this action, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling issued the following statement:
"I am very disappointed, but not at all surprised, by the decision of Senate Democrats to once again support legislation that would enact massive tax increases on Virginia's families and businesses. This action shows how out of touch Senate Democrats are with the real life concerns of the people of Virginia.
"At a time when the auto industry stands stagnant, Senate Democrats voted to increase taxes on buying and selling a new or used car or truck. This action could drive the auto industry into recession.
"At a time when the housing industry is in recession, Senate Democrats voted to increase taxes on buying and selling a home. This action could drive the housing industry deeper into recession.
"At a time when gas prices are at an all time high, Senate Democrats voted to increase the gas tax by six cents per gallon, making it harder for families to afford to fill up their tanks.
"Even though we just raised the state sales tax in 2004, Senate Democrats have voted to raise the sales tax once again. Is there no end to their appetite for higher taxes?
"And even though the people of Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads specifically rejected similar proposals in 2004, Senate Democrats have voted to increase the sales tax in these two important regions of our state.
"These tax increases are both unnecessary and inappropriate.
"Virginia does face some serious transportation challenges, and the people of Virginia want something done to increase funding for highway construction and maintenance, but it is not necessary to increase taxes to accomplish this goal.
"Over the past ten years, state government spending has increased by 108%. The problem in Richmond is not a lack of money, it is a lack of fiscal discipline. The people of Virginia want us to use existing revenue sources, and future economic growth, to increase funding for transportation, not raise taxes.
"Senate Democrats also voted against several other common sense measures that could have provided more money for transportation without raising taxes.
"Senate Democrats voted against legislation offered by Senator Frank Wagner and Senator Ken Cuccinelli that would have generated millions of dollars for transportation by moving forward with off shore drilling for natural gas and dedicated those revenues to highway construction and maintenance.
"Senate Democrats voted against legislation offered by Senator Ken Stolle that would have dedicated existing tax revenues derived from the Port of Virginia to transportation in Hampton Roads. This proposal would have generated $80M a year in additional money for transportation now and this revenue stream would have increased to $250M over the next few years as the Port expands.
"The people of Virginia are already overtaxed and they do no support higher taxes. They expect their elected officials in Richmond to do what families and businesses must do everyday - tighten their belts, spend within their means and direct their resources to the things that matter most."
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For additional information contact Randy Marcus at 804-814-7117 (cell) or randy.marcus@ltgov.virginia.gov.
