Paulding is overwhelmingly Republican. The quickest way right now for Paulding County voters to vote in a member of the Democratic Party is for the Republicans currently serving in elected office is to not live up to their campaign promises of conservatism. It would make the conservative voters apathetic to the election process and keep them from the polls. How many times have you heard lately that all politicians are the same regardless of what party they belong to?
We are not only suffering high unemployment numbers in the state, but this county as well. The high unemployment numbers are resulting in reduced tax revenue to the state by a large amount. The Republicans in our state legislature are proposing tax reform claiming it will raise tax revenue while reducing our taxes. The way I understand the proposal is, it will increase the sales tax immediately: while gradually reducing the income tax to no less than 4%, but no greater than 5%. However, the reduction in state income tax will be gradual and won't begin until I believe 2013.
If this bill passes, it means we would start out by paying higher taxes than we are now. Quite simply, we would be paying a higher sales tax with and no immediate reduction in state income tax. Here are the current tax levels for the state:
If your income range is between $0 and $750, your tax rate on every dollar of income earned is 1%.
If your income range is between $751 and $2,250, your tax rate on every dollar of income earned is 2%.
If your income range is between $2,251 and $3,750, your tax rate on every dollar of income earned is 3%.
If your income range is between $3,751 and $5,250, your tax rate on every dollar of income earned is 4%.
If your income range is between $5,251 and $7,000, your tax rate on every dollar of income earned is 5%.
If your income range is $7,001 and over, your tax rate on every dollar of income earned is 6%.
If you get paid bi-monthly and your gross income is $1,500, you are taxed at 2%. Under this proposal recommended by Republicans in the Gold Dome, you’re going to pay more taxes because the sales tax will increase, but your state income tax will not. The only people this plan will benefit are those who are currently in the 6% bracket. Remember, the plan says to reduce the plan to 4%, but no higher than 5%. It’s quite possible those currently in the 5% bracket, will not see an income tax reduction. We’re being told this plan would raise additional tax revenue by $1B. I’m hearing Paulette Braddock thinks this is a good plan. If so, how conservative is she really? I also understand they want to eliminate the sales tax exemption on grocery items. If I’m wrong in my interpretation of how these reforms are to work, please tell me.
Another issue is the tolls on 400. From my understanding, the tolls were put into place to reimburse the expenditures for creating this highway and the tolls were to be eliminated once those reimbursements were to be completed. Now there are Republicans at the Gold Dome who want to keep the tolls in place because they are a good source of revenue for the state. Where is the fiscal conservatism the Republicans promised?
I see problems for Republicans in the next state elections.