Archive for January, 2009
Heeding President Obama’s inspirational inaugural call to “pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America,” on Monday, I led a group of 14 legislators in announcing House Bill 2588, the Middle Class and Small Business Tax Relief Act — an important reform effort that will help people now and will begin to strengthen our economy for the future.
From Alexandria to Augusta, from Arlington to Abingdon, from Fairfax to Halifax, middle class families and small businesses are feeling the squeeze of the recession. As we in the General Assembly work to cut $3 billion or more to balance the state budget, hard-working Virginians are bracing for cuts in education, health care, public safety, and other core services. In these difficult times, our challenge as leaders — in addition to preventing cuts to education that would undermine our future — is to figure out how to lend a hand to those who need it most in ways that will begin to grow our economy and give hard-working Virginians a fair shake and an equal opportunity to succeed.
That’s exactly what the Middle Class and Small Business Tax Relief Act is designed to do. The bill will repeal the current 1.5 percent state sales tax on groceries, providing $230 million of tax relief annually for all Virginians; repeal the current 6 percent corporate income tax on the 22,000 businesses making less than $100,000 per year, providing $20 million in tax relief annually to employers struggling to keep and create jobs; and cut the personal income tax rate to 5.6 percent for the 42 percent of Virginia taxpayers making between $17,000 and $75,000 per year, providing them $130 million in tax relief annually.
A steady stream of citizen lobbyists from Equality Virginia dropped by David’s office throughout the day today to thank him for his ongoing efforts to champion equal rights legislation.
“While this is proving to be difficult year for some of the more progressive equal rights bills, the good news is that, for the first time in many years, no anti-gay bills have been put forward, and there seems to be a growing bipartisan consensus around employment nondiscrimination,” said David. “I’m hopeful that, together, we’ll make more progress this year and move us a few steps closer toward that day when Virginia law treats all people with equal dignity and respect.”
“Credit unions provide a vital service to our community — especially to lower income Virginians,” said David. “I enjoyed the opportunity to chat about their issues and hear their perspective.”
Richmond - Delegate David Englin (D-Alexandria), Delegate Joe Morrissey (D-Henrico), and Delegate Dave Marsden (D-Fairfax), joined by 11 co-patrons, today announced the Middle Class and Small Business Tax Relief Act to ease the burden on Virginia families and small businesses while protecting critical funds for education and transportation.
“This bill is an important reform that will help people now and will strengthen our economy for the future,” said Englin. “All across Virginia, middle class families need help, and businesses struggling to keep people in their jobs need help. By cutting taxes on the families and small businesses who need it most, while taking modest and fiscally responsible steps to protect money for education and transportation, this bill is a step forward for all Virginians.”
“In this difficult economy, with so many Virginians struggling to make ends meet, we need to fight for policies that will make life easier for hard-working middle class families and small businesses,” said Marsden. “We’re ready to work in a bipartisan way to make that happen.”
“It gives me great pleasure to join my Democratic colleagues to propose both middle class as well as small businesses tax relief,” said Morrissey. “My commitment to cutting income tax for the middle class is absolute and unconditional. I urge my Republican colleagues in the House of Delegates to put action behind rhetoric and join us in this bold initiative to provide middle class tax relief.”
House Bill 2588, the Middle Class and Small Business Tax Relief Act will repeal the state sales tax on food, repeal the corporate income tax for 22,000 businesses making less than $100,000 per year, and cut the personal income tax for 42 percent of Virginians, who make between $17,000 and $75,000 per year, all while protecting existing money that is dedicated to public education and transportation.
Continue reading ‘Democrats announce Middle Class and Small Business Tax Relief Act’
More than 300 citizens from across Virginia convereged on the General Assembly today to lobby legislators to support legislation banning smoking in restuarants and bars and to raise the state sales tax on cigarettes. David was invited to deliver a keynote address to the group as they prepared to meet with their individual Delegates and Senators.
“In Virginia, where tobacco has been such a significant part of our history, it can take courage to stand up for smoke-free legislation,” said David. “Thank you for being here and for being the voices of the 75 percent of Virginians who want a smoke-free Virginia now.”
David is championing House Bill 1692 to ban smoking in restaurants and bars throughout Virginia, and House Bill 2379 to raise Virginia’s cigarette tax by 89 cents per pack, bringing it to the national average.
