Must we raise taxes???

j · #1 Postby j » Mon Jun 16, 2003 3:19 pm

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoo....unless of course you're a Democrat, then we know your answer

Victory in South Carolina!
Gov. Sanford and legislature agree to plan to balance the budget WITHOUT raising taxes.

WASHINGTON - After intense wrangling for the past five months over how to balance the state budget, meet the rising cost of Medicaid for the poor, and reform the tax code, lawmakers and Governor Mark Sanford (R) came to the best possible conclusion - a balanced budget that avoids tax hike, fully funds priority programs, and leaves the path open for fundamental tax reform next year.

Led by House Speaker David Wilkins (R-Greenville) and House Majority Leader Rick Quinn (R-Richland), the legislature worked with the governor to use spending restraint and federal aid to hold the line on taxes. As a result, the state will be on solid ground to tackle Gov. Sanford's tax reform priorities next year.

"I want to thank Governor Sanford and the whole legislature for their fine work this year," said taxpayer advocate Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. "Early on in the debate, some appeared ready to take the easy way out and soak hard-working families to fund on-going waste. But South Carolina's leaders refused to give up. And the result is a balanced budget that does not ask for more sacrifice from the state's taxpayers."

Like most other states, South Carolina faced a budget dilemma this year. Rapid revenue growth during the boom years of the late 1990's led to reckless spending growth many times the rate of inflation. When the inevitable economic slowdown came, it revealed how unsustainable such spending levels were. Almost every state was urged to raise taxes in response, but South Carolina chose to join states such as Florida, Colorado, and Texas in balancing the budget using spending restraint.

"Governor Sanford and the legislature have avoided placing further burdens on South Carolina's hard-working families, and have set the stage for the state's future prosperity," Norquist continued. "I look forward to working with the governor next year to help him pass needed tax reform."

#2 Postby **pojo** » Mon Jun 16, 2003 3:41 pm

can the South Carolina Gov't teach the same ideas to the Wisconsin Gov't? Hopefully Gov Doyle will not raise taxes, but they are raising UW System tuition by at least 10%. That comes out of my pocket book! Financial Aid doesn't not change, that is a steady stream of money, but on the other hand, tuition just keeps climbing and climbing and climbing!

j · #3 Postby j » Mon Jun 16, 2003 3:50 pm

Shannon

Tuition is increasing everywhere....except of course Georgia. They are doing something right. SC never had a lottery. Now we have one and it's named the SC Education Lottery. Guess what?? Tuition at USCS goes up 500+ dollars a semester next year. That is somewhere in the neighborhood of 20%. All this WITH the great Education Lottery. Go figure!

Edit....I should add that there are many scholorships available that ARE funded by this Lottery....but for Heavan's sake!! 20%???

#4 Postby **wx247** » Mon Jun 16, 2003 6:20 pm

I have to agree about some instances not needing to raise taxes. However, if it means the difference between losing educational services and worse roads I am willing to pay *a little* more. This may just be a problem Missouri is having, but there is no way that I see MO balancing the budget without raising taxes. I wish there was!

As a side note, Shannon it seems that higher education is always the burden of funding cuts. One of the main reasons is that it is a select group of people who attend these areas and most people complain, will still pay the tuition. Personally, I think that is stupid but is the justification several local reps. of both parties have given. :roll:

Funny that nobody cared about cuts to higher education until the public school systems started feeling the pinches of cuts. Not that they should, but they now know what colleges and universities are going through.

Guest · #5 Postby **Guest** » Mon Jun 16, 2003 7:29 pm

It seems like that governor there in SC needs to get in touch with this one here in Ohio as well..................Funny thing is that the Taxes rarely goes up In Delaware and yet they have a surplus and the best kept roads in the MA allthough MD does a pretty decent job as well..........Alot of new school have been built as well with very little money from the tax payers???????Wanna know how.......Two things........Lottery and Slot machine gaming at the race tracks all though they may be taking a hit seeing how most gamblers smoke and the Idiot governer passed a No Smoking ban in any public place including Bars and the Casinos..........By the way Delaware doesnt have a sales Tax either on anything............Anyays i dont care to get into that............The point is someone needs to get into contact with this state governor seeing how the budget is always blown, Roads are a joke and more and more cut backs from the schools.........................

#6 Postby **Stephanie** » Mon Jun 16, 2003 7:39 pm

Everything eventually costs more and as we add new services to be administered by our government, the revenue must come from somewhere (i.e. additional costs for Homeland Security - a necessary evil). HOWEVER, there are alot of costs out there that have been discussed on this board that are unnecessary, like those pensions our Congressmen and women have bestowed on themselves that need to be re-evaluated.

Lindaloo · #7 Postby **Lindaloo** » Mon Jun 16, 2003 9:01 pm

I agree Stephanie... IMO Congress needs to be eliminated all together. They serve no purpose. Heck they just received a big pay raise while senior citizens and children are begging for medicine or food.

rainstorm · #8 Postby **rainstorm** » Mon Jun 16, 2003 9:25 pm

wx247 wrote:I have to agree about some instances not needing to raise taxes. However, if it means the difference between losing educational services and worse roads I am willing to pay *a little* more. This may just be a problem Missouri is having, but there is no way that I see MO balancing the budget without raising taxes. I wish there was!

As a side note, Shannon it seems that higher education is always the burden of funding cuts. One of the main reasons is that it is a select group of people who attend these areas and most people complain, will still pay the tuition. Personally, I think that is stupid but is the justification several local reps. of both parties have given.

Funny that nobody cared about cuts to higher education until the public school systems started feeling the pinches of cuts. Not that they should, but they now know what colleges and universities are going through.

the fact is, taxes are way too high. time to make cuts in state budgets. they cant keep confiscating money from wage earners.

#9 Postby **wx247** » Mon Jun 16, 2003 9:35 pm

But rainstorm... the question is "What do you cut?"

Must we raise taxes???

Must we raise taxes???

if you are willing to pay more, send in a check

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