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George: I can’t resist responding to Rey Berry’s comments on the car tax. I am shocked that Governor Gilmore is unwilling to make even the slightest compromise about the car tax. His obstinacy will cost the state dearly. He is so intent on continuing the phase out of the car tax that his creative accounting is putting Virginia’s bond rating in jeopardy. Governing magazine has already downgraded Virginia’s government management rating to a B-plus, down from an A-minus two years ago. This fiscal irresponsibility should not continue. I cannot and do not support Governor Gilmore’s attempt to increase the amount of the refund from 47.5% to 70%. The law passed by the General Assembly in 1997 included economic triggers, which if not met would delay the car tax repeal. This year, these triggers were not legitimately met. In order to find revenue to continue the phase out, the Governor attempted to manipulate the budget in ways that I find unconscionable. He has slashed virtually all state programs and those who can least afford it will suffer. Governor Gilmore has rationalized continuing the car tax repeal by stating over and over that he keeps his promises. Unfortunately he does not keep all of them. In a letter to local elected officials during the 1997 campaign, then candidate Gilmore made the following statements: [The car tax phase out] would be paid for from new revenues received by the Commonwealth, not from cuts from existing programs. If there is a recession or revenue doesn’t arrive as fast as expected, then the tax cut phase in would take additional time. If Gilmore was sincere about keeping promises, we wouldn’t be in this situation. It is also helpful to note that the most vocal opposition to increasing the car tax repeal to 70% is not coming from Democrats as Rey alleges, but from the Senate Republicans. But, that aside - Rey seems to advocate government by polls. This attitude is far too simplistic. True leadership is not following the crowd, but being in front of the crowd. I congratulate the Senate Republicans for their courageous stance against Gilmore’s single minded, selective promise keeping. Mitch Van Yahres (electronic mail, March 6, 2001)
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