The following letter was sent to Nevada state legislators today from Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, regarding recent calls for the Legislature to put a tax hike for highway construction on the ballot…
Dear Nevada State Legislator,
In light of reports of legislative efforts to put a tax increase on the ballot in order to raise new revenue for highway construction, I write to urge you to oppose any such efforts. Knowing that many of you have made a commitment to oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes, the big spenders are now looking for ways to loot taxpayers without having you cast a direct vote for higher taxes, and they think they found the ultimate solution in pushing a vote to put a tax increase on the ballot.
However, the argument that a vote to put a tax increase on the ballot is not a vote for higher taxes, but merely a vote to give constituents the opportunity to decide, is particularly problematic in a state that has the initiative process on the books. Taxpayers don’t need the legislature to put a tax increase on the ballot – if they truly feel higher taxes are needed, they can go out and collect the necessary signatures. However, big spenders may fear – rightfully so – that Nevada taxpayers, who still feel the pinch of the 2003 tax increase, don’t agree with the necessity of a tax increase.
Any tax increase provides a disincentive to enact spending reform. Ultimately, since any tax increase will drain money out of the private economy and productive use, it is a disservice to constituents. As such, a vote to short-circuit the initiative process to put a tax hike on the ballot would amount to an abdication of fiscal leadership.
Proponents of this tax increase argue that higher taxes are needed because of a lack of funding for transportation. However, as we have seen over and over again across the country too often, the real issue is not a lack of funding, but mismanagement in the way transportation dollars are spent. Structural reforms, not quick fixes to paper over the real problems are needed.
Unlike the “band-aid” solutions that siphon off economic growth and rely on taxpayers to bear the burden for more and more government spending, free-market solutions address the root of transportation issues. The keys to start the transportation reform engine are: opening systems to private sector competition, setting spending priorities and congestion pricing.
The enclosed paper provides you with more information on how to address Nevada’s transportation issues without placing an extra burden on your constituents.
I urge you to explore alternative options to tax increases rather than passing the buck and putting a tax increase on the ballot.
Onward,
Grover Norquist
Posted on February 20th, 2007 by Chuck Muth
Filed under: Nevada
How do I get a copy of the paper to which Mr. Norquist referred? I would like to see that. I might be able to encourage my representatives to support such options.
California has the same stupid, without proper research tax argument going on about transportation, but also about Regional Air Transportation and the costs associated with LAX by LAWA’s increases in rents and fees for the concourses and terminals. The “San Diego” Freeway, known as the “405″ is under debate again. After all the Commissioners, Assemblyman, Local Elected Officials are finished supporting their arguments about Los Angeles gridlock, and future delays in commuting, one has to ask themselves, “Are there any options outside “the box” of the usual government plea to relieve of the take home pay you need to raise your children and support your family?” The first query may be, do we really need cops on the roadway paid at time and a half to oversee the workers? The second query may be, how much less might it cost if the Unions were left to bid competitively with non-union private sector contractors? The third query should be, “What if the legislators enacted legislation to require a $361.00 fine to people who ride in the left lane causing traffic to be impeded by going the same speed as people in the slower lanes? It works in Utah, and other states. DUH! That would be just too (expletive deleted) simple, as well as depriving the contractors of billions of our tax dollars in unneeded and unnecessary revenues and profits. Who would support the Dem’s if not the Unions? Is there any chance transportation could be improved with a few smarter rules for inconsiderate people so that considerate taxpayers could save a few billion bucks?
Just stopped by to visit and got the crunch on your stuff in here - bravo!