At Capitol, 300 rally against taxes, fees

[Blue_Tires]

Call it a late-morning tea party.

On the grounds of the state Capitol today, cheering, sign-waving opponents of higher taxes and big government rallied against Virginia's work-in-progress budget.

About 300 people, turned out by Americans for Prosperity, were urged by the organization's Virginia director, Ben Marchi, to keep the pressure on the General Assembly.

The state Senate would balance the recession-wracked budget with more than $200 million in fees, imposed on a range of services. Better than $50 million would come from fees for lawsuits and other legal business. Those dollars would prevent layoffs of sheriff's deputies.

The House of Delegates originally opposed all fees, but is retreating somewhat, offering to accept $76 million in fees.

But as far as AFP and Marchi are concerned, fees are no more than disguised tax increases, slapped on certain businesses and specific individuals. Meantime, the effort to fashion a compromise budget is shaping up as a game of inches.

With a Tuesday deadline to reach a deal looming, the top Republican on the House Appropriations Committee said the House is making a good-faith effort to break the impasse with the Senate.

Referring to the House offer on fees, Del. M. Kirkland Cox, R-Colonial Heights, said in a floor speech a short time ago, "The ball is now in the Senate's court."

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/TEAAGAT08_20100308-121402/329079/

[thecrow]

1. I got a letter about this from my RW, Fundie and apparently , now TB-ing relative:

Here it is: (these people are seriously misinformed, btw... they count on the average teabagger to just swallow the lies whole without checking for the facts, such as her claim about the "second amendment rights"
being taken away in HB 69 http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?101+sum+HB69) Btw, I searched the bills for anything about the supposed 24% increase and could find nothing. )
**********************************************************************************************
From: (Name removed to avoid giving them a search agent and person named doesn't have a facebook page anyway) March 4 at 1:25pm Reply

Hello Everyone!
Yes, this is message #2 today. The government

is "getting things done", and that always spells trouble.

Yet another Tax Outrage!

Can we say CLUELESS LEGISLATORS????

The VA General Assembly has proposed a 24%
tax increase on your phone!!!!

It will help to pay for free cell phones for
people that don't have them.

OK. Isn't that nice? Maybe if the tax
increase goes into effect, you'll have to cancel
your phone service, but then you may qualify for
a free government phone.

Incidentally, thousands of cell phones are already
donated to deployed soldiers, women in crisis,
and the elderly. The free market community has
already been working on the problem.

To add insult to injury, the GA voted DOWN HB 69
which would secure 2nd amendentment rights for
Virginia Citizens.

There is a state-wide rally/protest on Monday, March 8.
Yep, in just 4 days- to say NO-NO-NO to this completely
unnecessary tax. There is no economic justification
for this at all.

Do not let your "representatives" get away with this!

We may have a bus, provided by (Name removed because it's a group we all know about, funded by the crazy).
I will get the details posted to our Tea Talk Forum
on the website as soon as I can.

Get the day off and go! I know we are all busy,
but this is extortion.

Remember:
Monday, March 8
11 AM - NOON
Bell Tower at the Capitol Square
Richmond, Virginia

Don't let them get away with it!!

In Liberty!


on behalf of the (name removed) and volunteer staff.

P.S. One more thing: We are a 501 (c) 4 organization. Your
donations are extremely important, but unfortunately not
tax deductible. Just another reason to get rid of the IRS.
Thank you so much for all that you do to support the (Name removed.) WE have
been able to assembly an amazing team of people, all of whom are 100%
volunteer.

PS # 2- If you can help the (name removed) Tea Party- that

would be great. They need $200 - to keep their March 6

event going. Here's their site: (Name removed to avoid giving them publicity)
Thanks.