Posted by Tina
GOP lawmakers put ‘no new taxes’ pledge in writing, by Jim Sanders Sacramento Bee
Don’t read their lips when California’s Republican lawmakers say ‘no new taxes’ they’ve put it in writing, signed their names, essentially inviting their own party to oust them if they renege. *** Every GOP lawmaker except Fair Oaks Assemblyman Roger Niello has signed the “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” this year, casting a shadow on budget talks by making any vote to raise taxes a potential career killer. *** “If you break the pledge, the people who voted for you will say, ‘Excuse me, not only did you raise my taxes but you lied to me,’ ” said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, in Washington, D.C., which conducts the pledge drive nationwide. *** The tax pledge, whose signers are publicized on the group’s Web site, is a written promise to voters that “I will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.” *** Opponents argue that such vows can torpedo budget talks by making the outcome intensely personal and hamper efforts to find tradeoffs in bridging the state’s $15.2 billion deficit. (added link mine)
Personal? Trade offs? I don’t know how a pledge to voters can make anything “personal” in debates or negotiations but as for the “tradeoff” remark…Republicans have learned that when dems ask for tradeoffs they expect Republicans to just give up and give in…Dems don’t give an inch. I support the Republicans completely in being as stubborn as possible…we’re talking gravity!
From the Americans for Tax Reform webpage (link above):
Since its rollout with the endorsement of President Reagan in 1986, the pledge has become de rigeur for Republicans seeking office, and is a necessity for Democrats running in Republican districts. Numbers in Congress are approaching 50% in each house. *** Today the Taxpayer Protection Pledge is offered to every candidate for state office and to all incumbents. More than 1,200 state officeholders, from state representative to governor, have signed the Pledge. Statehouse tax-and-spend interests have to contend with Pledge signers in every state.
WOW…50% in each house. That will throw a wrench in the works…we need more of this to press lawmakers toward more responsible oversight and management of out tax dollars.
On the site you will also find links to lists of those who broke the pledge, those who are big tax increasers, and pledge takers by state and at the federal level.