State Tax Update Archive
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Pennsylvania Democrats caught red handed

According to the Patriot-News Democrats in Pennsylvania are mounting a taxpayer-funded campaign aimed at derailing Gov. Tom Ridge's chances of becoming the Republican vice presidential nominee.  While Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) does not endorse any candidate for vice president, or any office, it is appalled by the use of taxpayer funds for political purposes. 

The article (March 4, 2000) reports that the House Democratic Caucus, which is funded by general fund appropriations, paid for the packages costing $3.20 each.  In each package are 90 pages of editorials, news articles and columns critical of Ridge and a statement from the House Minority Leader H. William De Weese (D-Greene) and Minority Whip Mike Veon (D-Beaver).  Specifically they allege, "His abysmal lack of leadership should be thoroughly investigated before any pundit decides that our governor should be a heartbeat away from running this great country."  In conclusion they state, "We do not share the view that Tom Ridge is vice presidential material."  They also warn that these mailings are just the beginning, they plan to evaluate its effectiveness based on media inquiries.

"This is illegal and should be prosecuted by the appropriate legal authority," said Damon B. Ansell, director of state projects.  "Politicians using taxpayer dollars to send packages to newsrooms around the country attacking people should be expelled from office at the very least," concluded Ansell.

"Democrats continue to harp that this country needs campaign finance reform, while at the same time they violate existing laws and hope nobody notices," said Grover G. Norquist, president of ATR.  "I think they should adhere to current laws before lamenting that we need reform,"  Norquist added.

ATR has concluded that these two politicians, H. William De Weese and Minority Whip Mike Veon, have earned the dubious distinction of winning the monthly "Enemy of the Taxpayer Award." 

West Virginia moves to tax Smokeless Tobacco

A bill that would impose a 17.5% tax on smokeless tobacco passed the House on March 2^nd.  John Overington, a pledge signer, led the opposition to the bill and has earned the "Co-Hero of the Taxpayer Award" for March.  Henry Thaxton of West Virginia Against Government Waste was also praised by ATR for his efforts to derail the tax increase.  Chances of passage appear slim in the Senate.

California - Organized labor fails to weaken law requiring 2/3rds Supermajority to raise property taxes.

Proposition 26, which would have lowered the 2/3rds requirement for school bond issues, failed on Tuesday.  The proposition would have made it easier to pass local school bonds.  Since bonds are financed with property taxes the result would have been an incremental increase in state property taxes.

The campaign for the proposition spent $30 million, flooding airwaves with ads that emphasized smaller class sizes and more accountability even though neither is guaranteed by passage.  The main proponent, the California Teachers Association, gave at least $7 million to support the measure.  Meanwhile the opponents, led by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn., spent roughly 1 million (30-1 spending disadvantage).  Its opposition, led by President Jon Coupal, has earned them the distinction of co-winner of the March "Hero of the Taxpayer Award."

Supermajority vote

 Congress is again being urged to vote on its annual constitutional amendment to require a 2/3rds Supermajority to raise any taxes.  This vote, held for the past five years on April 15^th, would protect taxpayers from future efforts to raise federal taxes.  We urge activists, legislators and individuals to contact their elected officials and tell them to support efforts to require such a majority to raise taxes.