While we are all fuming and disgruntled about taxes on April 15, there’s a group in Vermont who see things - well… different.
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Protesters nationwide demanded lower taxes on Wednesday. A group in Vermont can’t get enough of them.
Calling itself S.O.S., or Save Our State, the group held a small pro-tax protest in Montpelier, the national income tax-filing deadline, to drive home that taxes pay for needed programs and state employees perform necessary duties.
About two dozen people crowded around the state Tax Department’s help window while organizers turned in single-signature petitions, designed to look like a tax form, that organizers called SOS-EZ forms.
They list 17 state programs that could be kept whole with what organizers say would be a modest tax increase (I’ve never heard of a tax increase described as modest - ed.).
“It’s not just a day to worry about taxes; we value our institutions and the programs the state offers,” said S.O.S. organizer Chris Curtis, an attorney with Vermont Legal Aid. “We can’t pave our own roads. We can’t keep our own courthouse doors open. It’s frustrating that some days of the week the courts are closed.”
The protest came as thousands of demonstrators gathered nationwide for anti-tax rallies modeled on the original Boston Tea Party.
Dennise Casey, a spokeswoman for Republican Gov. Jim Douglas, said he remained steadfast in his opposition to new taxes, but that taxpayers have the option to give the state more than legally required.
“I am assuming that all of these individuals who are advocating for paying more taxes have led by example by paying more taxes today,” Casey said. “As for struggling Vermont families, the governor is opposed to higher taxes.”
Well, luckily they have a Republican governor and will likely remain solvent. But just as I say that, look what happens:
Montpelier, Vermont - April 15, 2009
“I think it’s time the common person stands up to the government taking everything from us,” said Bob Martin of Worcester.
But just one building over at the tax department– a much smaller group asked for just the opposite.
They want to pay more for taxes to save cuts to social service programs and state employee jobs.
“We’re not suggesting that we willy-nilly raise taxes but to do it in smart way that spreads out the burden,” said Lindsey Hescock of Middlebury.
“We need to have taxes to have the services and the infrastructure important to all of us,” said Shelia Reed, of Voices for Vt. Children.
Democratic lawmakers agree, and on Tax Day they supported a $24 million income tax hike.
“I don’t think anybody likes to pay taxes, I’m not wild about paying taxes, but I understand it’s an obligation of citizenship and I get a lot for the taxes I pay,” said Rep. Janet Ancel, D-Calais.
Wow. “I get a lot for the taxes I pay.”
You can’t make this stuff up.
A hat tip to jamiewearingfool for the post.
April 17th, 2009
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First, I’m not a big fan of casino’s. I’m not suggestting they’re a bad thing - I’m just not a fan. Sort of like not eating boiled okra but fried is fine.
That being said, I’d like to point you to a revealing article by the editor of Birmingham’s Black&White City Paper - the free newsprint that generally contains all the events going on in and around Birmingham. In addition to the events, there is generally quite a good representation of the political situation in several articles.
The editor, Chuck Geiss, has done quite a story on the bingo issue that Alabama is dealing with in the Legislature. For those of you outside of Alabama (and those in Alabama who just don’t keep up), there is a move to “legalize” bingo in the Legislature (i.e. - read tax) and let the public vote on the issue. Whether it makes it out of the Legislature is not clear as of today. That could all change tomorrow. But the Chuck Geiss article ought to be required reading for anyone who wants to actually be informed on this issue.
This is the lead-in to the rest of the story:
April 16, 2009
Perhaps you have seen or heard recent advertisements from “Friends of Alabama” urging support for a state legislative initiative that would tax and regulate electronic bingo in certain Alabama counties. These commercials, sponsored by the Sweet Home Alabama Coalition, feature a variety of country music stars such as Randy Owen, Clint Black, Tracy Lawrence, Lorrie Morgan, Darryl Worley, and George Jones, all of whom support a bill that would call for a statewide referendum in 2010. The message claims that taxing all statewide bingo operations, including those located on Indian reservations, is not only fair but would provide a substantial windfall to Alabama’s lagging education fund.
What many people may not know is that most of these country music stars have an interest in a new $250 million mega-entertainment complex south of Dothan called Country Crossing. The development, which broke ground this year, will feature retail shops, themed restaurants, and an extensive entertainment district patterned after that of Branson, Missouri. According to the Country Crossing web site, visitors will be able to enjoy music and food at George Jones’ Possum Holler Dinner Theater, Tracy Lawrence’s BBQ, John Anderson’s Seminole Wind Buffet, Darryl Worley’s Worley Bird Cafe, and Lorrie Morgan’s Diner. The developer also anticipates building a casino featuring electronic bingo. Do these celebrities want bingo legalized to benefit the state’s education fund, or are they more interested in large crowds of gamblers paying to see them perform at Country Crossing?
There appears to be a plethora of deceit, strong arm tactics, and self serving banishments in other areas of the state so that success is limited to those areas where the proponents want success to be - and specifically not anywhere else. And it’s all for education - a suspect, repeatable argument that is used to sway anyone who has kids in public schools. Alabama schools are not at the top of any national list nor are they at they bottom - though they haven’t been far at times. Alabama has school funding issues as does every state. And, perhaps in the future, there is gambling to help out that budget. Critics of gambling for education point out that Georgia, where the lottery has funded college education for years, has the same issues as everyone else these days. Maybe. But if they’re still funding college education for students who are making the grade in high school, they’re doing better than we are - much better.
But that’s not what Chuck Geiss’s editorial is focused on. It’s an eye-opening look at what is being requested and what is being denied - the latter being a larger issue.
Have a read or pick up the paper. It’s free.
April 17th, 2009
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