Today Americans for Tax Reform sent a letter to Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland asking him once again to sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, a written promise to constituents to oppose and veto all tax increases. After his $844 million income tax increase less than a year ago, Strickland refuses to sign the Pledge and rule out a future similar mistake. His opponent, John Kasich, has signed the Pledge and definitively taken tax increases off the table.
Strickland’s rhetoric diverges from reality when it comes to his record on taxes. In December of 2009, with the unemployment rate at 10.8 percent, the governor signed House Bill 318, which raised taxes on Ohioans of all income levels. He used the $844 million in higher taxes, coupled with billions of federal bailout dollars, to temporarily sustain state government’s overspending problem.
But Strickland continues to insist that he cut taxes during his first term. The only income tax relief over the past four years came from a phased-in tax cut signed by the governor’s predecessor and coupled with a gross receipts tax on the business community. House Bill 318 reversed the final year of this tax cut, meaning Gov. Strickland is attempting to take credit for tax relief he decisively eliminated.
Friday, October 8, 2010
ATR takes it to Strickland on taxes
Absolutely love it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Except the ATR, a supposed EXPERT on taxes is wrong.
ReplyDelete"The only income tax relief over the past four years came from a phased-in tax cut signed by the governor’s predecessor and coupled with a gross receipts tax on the business community."
That's untrue. Strickland enacted cuts in the homestead exemption, cut taxes for veterans, and for businesses. His proposals. He signed into laws.
Look, Jon, Kasich's pledge already has more holes than swiss cheese. He's already admitted that the ATR notwithstanding, he doesn't believe that the pledge includes abolishing tax expenditures. He also refuse to say that fees are part of his pledge.
The ATR is factual wrong about Strickland on taxes. And John Kasich's pledge has already been proven to not be worth the paper it's printed on.
Actually, you're wrong. Of the three taxes you mentioned, only the tax cut on military benefits to veterans had anything to do with the income tax. And comparing that to the $844 million tax hike is absolutely laughable. It's like throwing a pebble at a mountain and expecting it to fall apart.
ReplyDeleteATR also has gone on the record...repeatedly...that the pledge does allow tax credits to be cut. In fact, Rep Djou introduced a bill in Congress that eliminated tax credits but was revenue neutral and they supported it.
I think even factcheck.org weighed in on that tired accusation.
Notice the qualifier "income" in what you quoted.
ReplyDelete"The only income tax relief over the past four years came from a phased-in tax cut signed by the governor’s predecessor and coupled with a gross receipts tax on the business community."
Aren't you supposed to be some kind of lawyer?
And if Kasich doesn't recognize fees as taxes then he's in complete agreement with Strickland.
Strickland funded an increased homestead exemption for people over 65, as I recall. That money came from, in essence, selling the tobacco settlement. Plus, this newly=created entitlement program is not funded long-term. Big whoop.
ReplyDelete