Bob Goodlatte on the Upcoming Tax Increase

MASSIVE TAX INCREASE WILL HIT ALL AMERICANS

More than 7 million jobs have been lost in the last three years and over 3 million of those jobs have been lost since the President signed the so-called stimulus bill into law last year.

Unfortunately, these are numbers that the American people are all too familiar with and yet the Congress continues to pursue an agenda that will further threaten American job creators. While Americans are asking “Where are the jobs?”, the Majority in Congress continues to demonstrate that they do not understand the priorities of our constituents or appreciate how private sector jobs are created.

It is clear: the policies of higher taxes, runaway spending, government takeovers and record debt which have become commonplace in Washington these days are having a chilling effect on the nation’s small businesses, the economic engine of our economy. From the so-called stimulus bill to the government takeover of our health care system and the threat of higher taxes and massive deficit spending, these policies have further hindered the creation of private sector jobs.

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Ehrlich Says NO to Fee Increases

Former Maryland Gov. Bob Ehrlich gave a big, fat, “NO!” when asked whether fee increases of any sort would be under consideration in an Ehrlich administration.  This is an answer to a big criticism leveled at Ehrlich by his primary opponent AND Democrats.

Incumbent Gov. Martin O’Malley states that he has no intention of raising taxes, but refused to sign a pledge to that effect.

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The Impact Of A Higher Tax Burden

While Delaware continues to enjoy a relatively decent reputation as a business friendly state, increases in its tax structure have harmed Delaware’s competitiveness and the First State’s ability to weather the current recession.

Check out this short analysis courtesy of the Caesar Rodney Institute.

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National Cost of Government Day

Yesterday was National Cost of Government Day.  What does that mean?  It means that, on average, you have finished paying the cost of government for this year:

Today is the first day you stopped working for Uncle Sam and began working for yourself. Americans must labor 231 days out of the year just to meet all costs imposed by government – 8 days later than last year and a full 34 days longer than 2008.

Sadly, if you live in Maryland (as I do) you will continue paying for the cost of government through September 4th (4th worse in the nation).  Delawareans will have met their obligations tomorrow.  Virginians on August 25th.

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John Phoebus Attacks Jobs Issue on Lower Shore

It doesn’t matter whether you are looking at national or statewide polls, attending candidate forums, or simply talking with your neighbors; the NUMBER 1 ISSUE in this year’s election is JOBS.  John Phoebus, GOP candidate for Maryland House District 38-A is one of the few legislative candidates who is prepared to offer a concrete proposal to stimulate economic development in his District, and the state of Maryland.  Phoebus wants to reduce (or eliminate) the state’s corporate income tax).

Phoebus has proposed, along with many others, that Maryland roll back the 20% sales tax increase enacted by Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and the Democrat controlled legislature.  While this definitely would put money back into the pockets of Marylanders (where it belongs), the positive effects of such a roll back would primarily be felt in the state’s retail sector.  However, Phoebus’s proposal to reduce state income tax rates for businesses would definitely increase Maryland’s competitiveness in attracting employers to the Old Line State.

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It’s A TAX! – ANOTHER ObamaCare Lie

Remember when the messiah told Americans that no one earning less than $250,000 would receive a tax increase?  Remember when we were told that the ObamaCare “individual mandate” “WAS NOT a tax”?

Well … when the Obama administration is trying to defend the constitutionality of the mandate, they are telling the courts that it is a TAX.

No federal funds for abortion.  Not a tax.  Is there anything about ObamaCare that ISN’T a lie?

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Aydelotte Farms Developer Owes Salisbury $410,000

Remember Salisbury’s NE Collector Road?  You know, the road that was supposed to cut travel time to the mall in half and not cost the taxpayers a dime.  At least that’s what Barrie Tilghman, Mike Dunn, Lynn Cathcart, and Gary Comegys told us (Shanie Shields just votes they way her masters instruct her to).  I’ll admit, it’s a nice road.  I use it from time to time myself.  I just know that there’s no such thing as a free lunch … or a free road.

Well, it appears that the chickens are coming home to roost on that little ribbon of asphalt.  First, the developers stated that they were giving the road right of way to the city.  Then they demanded payment, despite the fact that the city was providing a TIF subsidy for the road.  NOW the developers are in arrears both to the city of Salisbury AND to the TIF bondholders.  According to Salisbury finance chief Pam Oland:

…an update related to the Aydelotte TIF.  Currently for FY 10, all taxes (including special taxes) have been paid on all properties within the Aydelotte TIF, excluding the large parcel still held by the developers.  That parcel owes regular taxes as well as special taxes for FY 10.  The total amount currently due is $410,106.99.  Meetings are currently being held between the developers, the bond holders and the City to discuss how to use the remaining funds in the project account and what are the updated estimates for sales.  If the taxes are not paid by June 16th, the property will be auctioned during the tax sale.

What happens IF the property can’t be sold?  It surely won’t be enough to cover the back taxes AND the bond principle.

Remember, the bonds were issued by the city of Salisbury!  The taxpayers were promised that they would NEVER be on the hook for this blatant subsidy of another developer.  I sincerely hope that this is one instance where the usual suspects actually told the truth.

Thanks Barrie.  Thanks Mike.  You might be gone, but the taxpayers just keep on paying!

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Will Bob Ehrlich Sign The Pledge?

Richard Falknor poses an interesting question – Can Tea Partiers Extract a NO NEW TAXES pledge from former Maryland governor and 2010 candidate Bob Ehrlich?  There is no question, we should demand such a pledge before offering our support to Ehrlich.

Typically, I’m not a big fan of tax pledges.  They’re gimmicky at best (even though Grover Norquist may strike me dead).  We don’t know what a Gov. Ehrlich may encounter if he replaces current governor Martin O’Malley in January.  Cutting spending is almost always the preferred approach to fiscal policy, but tying a governor’s hand for four years isn’t necessarily prudent.  Ehrlich could cut (or eliminate) some taxes while replacing SOME of them with a different tax scheme.  However, despite these arguments, Ehrlich needs to commit; and commit now.

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Even for Bill McCain – Be Careful What You Wish For

Last night’s “Repeal the Cap Rally”, hosted by outgoing Wicomico County councilman Bill McCain (D) was a rousing success – if you supported keeping the county’s revenue cap in place and opposed increased county budgets.  Approximately 75 citizens came out to express their opinion.  While there were a few of the usual “tax and spend” suspects present, only one spoke up – WET president John Groutt.  His response was mainly to call the rest of us “simplistic” and a bunch of “Tea Partiers”.  (I always get a kick out of leftists who call me simplistic because I don’t support their socialistic policies.)

A Model for Future Councils

While I have agreed with McCain on little during his term on council, and am not sorry to see him leave, he should be commended for last night’s get together.  Granted, it was 3 1/2 years in coming; but this was exactly what the city council needs to do.

Well … not exactly.  The entire council, AND county executive Rick Pollitt, should host such a meeting every quarter.  They could do it from the council chambers.  The council chambers are already wired for PAC-14 broadcast and for Wi-Fi.  Those who couldn’t attend could watch the proceedings live and it could even be arranged for the participants to take call-in questions.  We could even live blog the event, possibly collaborating with other local bloggers.  The costs would be minimal and the potential for increased citizen involvement is immense.

Some may be asking, “What’s the point?  Isn’t this just like public comment at council meetings where a few people come an gripe?”.  No, that’s why I argue that this type of meeting should be a model for future councils.  Here you had an opportunity to actually interact with elected officials and they actually answered questions.  Can you imagine what would happen if Salisbury city councilwoman Louise Smith had to do this?

However, to make this type of meeting a consistent success the presence of Pollitt is necessary.  As I pointed out last night, McCain and his colleagues on council are part time citizen legislators.  It is Pollitt who drafts the budget.  It is Pollitt who proposes almost all legislation.  While some of us may consider it fun to complain to the council, we must no longer allow Pollitt to use the council as a political shield before taking a stand on any issue.

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Wicomico’s Anti – Revenue Cap Slate Begins to Take Shape

Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt wants to end the revenue cap.  His staunchest ally – councilman Bill McCain – is not seeking re-election (nor could he be re-elected without a “one shot”).  Councilowman Sheree Sample-Hughes is on record as an opponent of the cap, but lacks the intestinal fortitude to fight the popular measure.  But, things are looking up for Pollitt’s merry band of tax and spend wannabes.

Former councilman Ed Taylor has decided to come out of retirement to seek an At Large seat on the Wicomico County Council.  His platform?  REPEAL THE REVENUE CAP!

That’s right folks, you need to be taxed more:

Taylor said he felt compelled to return to office because of the problems the county has with the economy and crime. He said he would do everything in his power to help eliminate the county’s revenue cap, a provision that restricts how much new property tax revenue the county can collect.

"I’m a strong advocate for the removal of the revenue cap," Taylor said.

This is typical of so many Democrats in Wicomico County.  If only we could spend more …  If only we could tax more …

While Board of Ed employees fly around the country and eat out on the taxpayers’ dime, Taylor evidently thinks the solution is to spend more.  While taxpayers are struggling to pay their bills, Taylor evidently thinks we should be taxed more.  While Wicomico citizens lose their jobs, Taylor evidently thinks county government should grow.

Thanks Ed.  It seems that the only difference between you and Bill McCain is the hair style.  I’m sure that voters will be very receptive to your message.

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