Georgia legislators are required to pass a balanced budget but you wouldn’t know it if you saw Roy Barnes’ campaign promises. The Savannah Morning News has quantified Barnes’ campaign pledges at $2.2 billion per year, meaning his governorship would cost voters over $8 billion in campaign promises alone.
How will Roy Barnes pay for his binge-spending plans? He’s only proposed elimination of one tax exemption, the tax exemption on jet fuel, worth $24 million and barely 1% of his new spending. Barnes also proposed a plan to allow local governments to collect sales taxes, but he disagrees with his own campaign manager on the amount of revenue it would bring in. Even the most optimistic estimates fall far short of balancing the budget with his pie-in-the-sky promises of massive new spending.
“Roy’s big spending plans mirror those of Washington Democrats, not the wishes of Georgia voters,” said Georgia Republican Party Chairman Sue Everhart. “Republicans are addressing the concerns of Georgians by cutting spending and living within our means.”
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Roy-onomics: No Way to Pay for Big Spending
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Georgia Republicans Got It Right, But Macon Telegraph Won’t Hear of It
The Macon Telegraph ran a column on Sunday encouraging the Georgia Republican Party to take action to change the ballot in light of misleading information spread in the press. After agreeing to give the GAGOP space to refute their claims, the Telegraph rejected the response.
While it is the paper’s prerogative to refuse op-eds, the Georgia Republican Party believes the column printed by the Macon Telegraph was misleading and warrants response. Below is the op-ed submitted by the GAGOP.
Georgia Republicans Got It Right
Kenny Burgamy made many claims in his recent opinion piece (There’s Time to Get It Right, Macon Telegraph, 9/19/2010) that were untrue and infeasible. Perhaps the most errant assumption was that Georgia Republicans got it wrong when they nominated Nathan Deal as the Republican candidate for Governor. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
Nathan won the nomination in a close primary and runoff. In a state considered to be a Democratic stronghold for generations, Georgia Republicans showed up in record numbers in two successive elections showing their preference for the party of personal freedom and smaller government. While Nathan won the runoff by less than 1 percent, the top two finishers in the primary both bested Roy Barnes with 10 percent more votes.
Mr. Deal’s personal finances have been well documented over the last week, but let’s not ignore the facts. Nathan is a successful small businessman who has created jobs and turned a profit – even in these difficult financial times. Businesses have their ups and downs. The only thing unique here is that Deal’s ups and downs are front-page news.
I can see how that point would get lost in the Democrats’ spin cycle. Most people understand that they simply cannot spend more than they take in. Democrats, however, have overlooked that rule as they have escalated our country into further debt with their binge spending legislation, plunging our nation into $13 trillion in debt.
In Georgia, Roy Barnes has shown he’s not all that different than Washington Democrats. As governor, he turned a $700 million budget surplus into a $620 million shortfall. Now, he’s proposed $2.4 billion in new spending with no way to pay for it, just like a Washington Democrat.
Roy has spent most of his career suing small businesses rather than creating them and destroying jobs for his personal gain. He doesn’t embrace the creative spirit of Georgians who take calculated risks — he demonizes them.
The Georgia Republican Party is the party of small businesses and strong families across Georgia. We believe that Americans can better themselves through hard work, personal responsibility and seizing opportunities. While the road to success is lined with periodic setbacks, we see them as learning opportunities that can move us forward.
Georgia’s successful economic recovery will depend on people willing to take a calculated risk to start a business and employ Georgians. It will also depend on policy-makers’ willingness to create an environment that fosters our American and exceptional entrepreneurism. That’s why we need Nathan Deal.
Nathan’s Real Prosperity plan increases Georgia’s competitiveness by lowering income taxes on Georgia’s families and reducing corporate income taxes by a third. The Tax Foundation estimates that his plan will improve Georgia’s business climate from the bottom half of states to the top one-third.
Nathan’s plan for education, “Real Results,” provides maximum flexibility for local school districts, protects the HOPE scholarship and will bolster math and science education.
He has led the fight against Obamacare. He stands up to Washington liberals whose brand of “change” comes with hefty price tags that Georgians can’t afford.
Georgians are concerned with issues, not petty and personal attacks. Nathan Deal has the philosophy, plan and experience to put Georgia back on track. I ask you to vote for Nathan Deal and not rewind Georgia to the bad old days of Roy Barnes.
Sue Everhart is the chairman of the Georgia Republican Party and lives in Marietta.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Newt Gingrich to Speak at FRC Action's Values Voter Summit
/PRNewswire -- FRC Action has confirmed that former House Speaker Newt Gingrich will speak at FRC Action's fifth annual Values Voter Summit, which will be held September 17-19 at the Omni Shoreham in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Gingrich joins a Saturday morning session that also includes Dr. Bill Bennett, Gov. Bob McDonnell (R-VA), and David Limbaugh, whose new book, Crimes Against Liberty, has rocketed to No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list.
Gingrich will provide insight into the current political climate and his evaluation of what might be historic GOP gains in November.
The line-up of speakers at the Values Voter Summit also includes: Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), former Senator Rick Santorum, Representatives Michele Bachmann (R-MN), and Mike Pence (R-IN), current and former governors Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, the Duggar family, Phyllis Schlafly, Lila Rose and many more.
FRC Action's Values Voter Summit is cosponsored by American Family Association Action, American Values, The Heritage Foundation, Liberty University, Liberty Counsel and Family Research Council. The Summit will be held September 17-19 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. A presidential and vice presidential straw poll, exhibit hall, book signings, new media row sponsored by Media Research Center and much more will be packed into this three-day conference. On Saturday evening, American Family Association Chairman Emeritus Don Wildmon will be honored at a gala dinner and receive the fourth annual James C. Dobson Vision and Leadership Award.
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Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Democrats' Ticking Tax Bomb, Part II
How the Democrats’ Year-end Tax Hike Will Affect Typical Taxpayers
As described in Part I of this series, starting January 1, 2011, Washington Democrats will impose a $3.8 trillion tax hike on hard-working Americans. This tax increase will affect every American who pays income taxes through higher tax rates on individuals, families, and small businesses. Married couples and parents will be singled out for even higher taxes, and there will be significant tax hikes on the very investments that grow the economy and create good jobs. Even the death tax – repealed entirely for 2010 – will be resurrected on January 1, 2011. So far, Democrats have done nothing to disarm this ticking tax bomb.
So how will the family budgets of typical taxpayers be affected by these looming Democrat tax hikes?
A family of four earning $50,000 per year could pay more than $2,100 in higher taxes.
A single mom earning $36,000 per year could pay over $1,100 more in taxes.
Married senior citizens earning $40,000 per year could pay more than $1,400 in higher taxes.
Here are the details:
Filing Status: Married, filing joint return
Children: 2
Adjusted Gross Income: $50,000
2011 Tax Hike
2011 Tax Hike
Standard deduction $11,600 $9,750
Personal exemptions $15,000 $15,000
Taxable income $23,400 $25,250
Tax liability $2,652 $3,788
Child credit (non-refundable portion) $2,000 $1,000
Total tax $652 $2,788
Filing Status: Head of Household
Children: 1
Adjusted Gross Income: $36,000
2011 Tax Hike
2011 Tax Hike
Standard deduction $8,600 $8,600
Personal exemptions $7,500 $7,500
Taxable income $19,900 $19,900
Tax liability $2,373 $2,985
Child credit (non-refundable portion) $1,000 $500
Total Tax $1,373 $2,485
Filing Status: Married, filing joint return
Children: 0
Adjusted Gross Income: $40,000, including $5,000 in dividends
($100,000 invested, 5% yield)
2011 Tax Hike
2011 Tax Hike
Standard deduction $13,800 $13,800
Personal exemptions $7,500 $7,500
Taxable income $18,700 $18,700
Qualified dividends
$5,000 taxed at 0%
(special rate for taxpayers
in the 10% or 15% brackets)
$5,000 taxed at 15%
(ordinary income rate)
Total tax $1,370 $2,805
While the effect of these Democrat tax increases on any particular taxpayer’s family budget will depend on that taxpayer’s specific facts and circumstances, these typical tax returns make clear that this is a massive tax hike that the American people simply can’t afford.
As these examples show, married couples and taxpayers with children will be hit particularly hard by the Democrats’ tax hike. For more detail about the re-imposition of the marriage penalty and the reduction in the child credit scheduled for January 1, 2011, stay tuned for Part III of this series, coming soon.
Ways and Means Republican Press Office
www.Republicans.WaysandMeans.House.Gov
202.226.4774
Democrats' Ticking Tax Bomb, Part I
Overview: Americans to Pay Higher Taxes Starting January 1, 2011
Get ready to pay higher taxes in 2011 thanks to Democrats in Washington. Starting January 1, 2011 – less than six months from now – an unprecedented, $3.8 trillion tax increase is scheduled to kick in, affecting every American who pays income taxes. This Democrat tax hike will force hard-working Americans to pay over $200 billion in higher taxes next year alone.
What are some of these tax increases? They include:
Dollar amounts listed in the table above will be indexed for inflation in 2011. Amounts listed for married couples are for married couples filing joint returns.
*According to the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT), 94% of all U.S. businesses in 2007 were S corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships – “pass-through” business types commonly used by small businesses – that file their taxes on their owners’ individual Form 1040s and pay taxes at the individual tax rates.
** Because of one of the marriage penalties that will be reinstated (see below), this $68,000 amount will drop to $58,200 in 2011, meaning that a married couple with as little as $58,200 in taxable income will be subject to the higher 28% rate on their next dollar earned, rather than the 15% rate.
*** Because of the reinstatement of additional, hidden tax rates (see below), while the top statutory rate will be 39.6% in 2011, the top effective rate will actually be 41.6%.
Dollar amounts listed in the table above for 2011 are JCT estimates reflecting expected inflation adjustments.
* Because of the reinstatement of additional, hidden tax rates (see below), while the top statutory capital gains rate will be 20% in 2011, the top effective rate will actually be 22%. For dividends, while the top statutory rate will be 39.6% in 2011, the top effective rate will actually be 41.6%.
Note that, under the Democrats’ new health law, beginning in 2013, investment income will be subject to an additional 3.8% surtax for single taxpayers earning more than $200,000 and married couples earning more than $250,000. This will bring the top statutory rate on capital gains to 23.8% and the top statutory rate on dividends to 43.4% in 2013. Because of the additional, hidden tax rate increases described below, however, the top effective rate on capital gains will be 25.8% in 2013, and the top effective rate on dividends will be 45.4%.
*According to the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT), 94% of all U.S. businesses in 2007 were S corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships – “pass-through” business types commonly used by small businesses – that file their taxes on their owners’ individual Form 1040s and pay taxes at the individual tax rates.
Dollar amounts listed in the table above are JCT estimates for 2011 reflecting expected inflation adjustments.
Note that, under the Democrats’ new health law, beginning in 2013, dividend income will be subject to an additional 3.8% surtax for single taxpayers earning more than $200,000 and married couples earning more than $250,000. Factoring in the additional, hidden tax rate increase described in this table, the top effective rate on dividends will be 45.4% in 2013.
For examples of how these looming tax hikes will affect typical American taxpayers, stay tuned for Part II of this series, coming soon.
Floor Statement of Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI) re: H.R. 4380, the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill
I am disappointed that I cannot support this legislation.
The Miscellaneous Tariff Bill has long been a bipartisan effort that helps both American manufacturers and consumers obtain lower-cost access to products that aren’t made in the United States.
The process used to assemble this legislation is a model in transparency and accountability. This is a long-standing process that has been used by many Congresses – under both Republican and Democrat control – and should serve as an example of how similar legislation should be prepared.
- Every provision is first introduced as a separate bill.
- Each provision is vetted by the Administration and by the U.S. International Trade Commission and is subject to public notice and comment.
- All information is posted on the Committee website.
- Any provision receiving any opposition is removed from the final package.
But the Republican Conference has taken the position, and correctly so, that we are taking a one-year moratorium on all the provisions included in the Democrat Rule to demonstrate our commitment to getting government spending under control. I am committed to both the letter and spirit of that moratorium and therefore will vote against this bill.
In fact, the Majority is well aware of our earmark ban, and I can’t help but wonder if this bill was put on the suspension calendar – after three-and-a-half years without a vote – so that it would fail and they might avoid taking the blame. It is a sham and it won’t work. The business community knows it, the American workers whose jobs depend on it know it, and we know it – Democrats have had three-and-a-half-years to pass the MTB and they have failed to do so.
Congress has not passed an MTB bill since December 2006 -- right before the Democrats took the Majority. The only new trade bill they have considered in that time is the Peru trade agreement.
I think the record speaks for itself – Republicans have long-supported the MTB and U.S. employers while the Democrats have written rules that discriminate against this bill. More importantly, business investment and hiring are frozen in the face of looming tax hikes, smothering government regulation and little or no action on the trade agenda – all brought about by Washington Democrats.
A true commitment to trade and the good-paying U.S. jobs it provides would involve passing the pending bilateral trade agreements, which, economically, are even more important to this country.
Mr. Speaker, what you are seeing today is merely one more attempt by the Majority to distract American workers and employers from the real damage they’ve done to the American economy. This legislation cannot overcome the over $670 billion in new taxes already passed by this Congress and the billions more coming. It cannot overcome the anti-business attitude of so much of the legislation produced by the Majority.
Mr. Speaker, if my friends on the other side of the aisle were truly interested in helping American manufacturers, they’d be lowering taxes, knocking down trade barriers, and supporting the private sector. This legislation is no substitute for those policies.
Mr. Speaker, the House should take a breather from earmarks, as called for in the Republican Conference Moratorium. It is unfortunate that this pause includes the MTB, but we didn’t write the Rule. I urge my colleagues to show the American people we are serious about reforming the way Washington works and vote no. I reserve the balance of my time.
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Ways and Means Republican Press Office
www.Republicans.WaysandMeans.House.Gov
202.226.4774
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Cobb County GOP Breakfast
Saturday, June 5 at 8:00am. End Time: Saturday, June 5 at 9:30am Where: Williamson Bros. BBQ
