Statement from Rep. Kirk Pearson on repeal of taxpayer protections
Published on Thu, Feb 18, 2010 by Bobbi Cussins, Public Information OfficerRead More County & State
Controversial bill to scrap two-thirds vote in the Legislature to pass new and higher taxes, fees passes House
Despite the stormy economic forecast, majority Democrats in the House voted to overturn the Taxpayer Protection Act (Initiative 960), making it easier to raise taxes. Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, cast a vote against Senate Bill 6130 and issued the following statement:
“The people in my communities are struggling. A dear lady told me the other day that even a candy tax would be too much for her fixed household income. It seems to me some legislators don’t think a dollar is a lot of money. But for some people, it’s everything. Taking even one more dollar in taxes from citizens who are struggling to make ends meet is not right. Enough is enough. When I look at the 77 tax and fee proposals introduced just this year, I think of all the dollars that will be taken from families they need to buy food, pay for health care and other necessities.
“I did not support repealing the Taxpayer Protection Act and will not support any new taxes.”
Quick facts:
The Taxpayer Protection Act (I-960) passed in 2007 with 57.4 percent of the vote in the 39th Legislative District, and 51.2 percent statewide. Current law requires: a two-thirds vote of the Legislature for tax increases; public e-mail notifications for tax increase proposals; and citizen advisory votes on tax increases.
Senate Bill 6130, as passed by the state House, would remove the two-thirds vote requirement of the Legislature for tax increases immediately and notification of legislator votes on tax measures in voters’ pamphlets. The bill will take effect once signed into law by the governor.
There are currently 77 bills in the state House that, when combined, would increase taxes and fees by more than $3 billion in the state’s next fiscal year.
The 60-day legislative session is scheduled to adjourn March 11.
Despite the stormy economic forecast, majority Democrats in the House voted to overturn the Taxpayer Protection Act (Initiative 960), making it easier to raise taxes. Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, cast a vote against Senate Bill 6130 and issued the following statement:
“The people in my communities are struggling. A dear lady told me the other day that even a candy tax would be too much for her fixed household income. It seems to me some legislators don’t think a dollar is a lot of money. But for some people, it’s everything. Taking even one more dollar in taxes from citizens who are struggling to make ends meet is not right. Enough is enough. When I look at the 77 tax and fee proposals introduced just this year, I think of all the dollars that will be taken from families they need to buy food, pay for health care and other necessities.
“I did not support repealing the Taxpayer Protection Act and will not support any new taxes.”
Quick facts:
The Taxpayer Protection Act (I-960) passed in 2007 with 57.4 percent of the vote in the 39th Legislative District, and 51.2 percent statewide. Current law requires: a two-thirds vote of the Legislature for tax increases; public e-mail notifications for tax increase proposals; and citizen advisory votes on tax increases.
Senate Bill 6130, as passed by the state House, would remove the two-thirds vote requirement of the Legislature for tax increases immediately and notification of legislator votes on tax measures in voters’ pamphlets. The bill will take effect once signed into law by the governor.
There are currently 77 bills in the state House that, when combined, would increase taxes and fees by more than $3 billion in the state’s next fiscal year.
The 60-day legislative session is scheduled to adjourn March 11.
