Former DNC Chairman Again Stands Outside Virginia Mainstream
In yet another reminder that his liberal values are far outside the mainstream in Virginia, former DNC Chairman Tim Kaine continues to side with President Barack Obama in demanding more job-killing tax hikes – even as liberal Senate Democrat Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) now puts forth a proposal that does not raise taxes.
As CNN’s Gloria Borger noted last night, “nobody today is talking about tax increases except Barack Obama” – with the notable exception, of course, being Obama’s #1 cheerleader Tim Kaine.
In a troubling op-ed this weekend in the Daily Press, Kaine parroted Obama’s partisan talking points, claiming that job-killing tax hikes represent the only “balanced approach” to addressing our nation’s debt crisis.
Notably, Kaine also showed great enthusiasm for tax hikes in Richmond, twice attempting to levy new multi-billion-dollar transportation taxes and even proposing the largest tax hike in Virginia’s history in the 11th hour of his Gubernatorial term.
“Yet again, Tim Kaine is standing far outside the Virginia mainstream, parroting President Obama’s calls for job-killing tax hikes instead of telling his friends in Washington to finally get their reckless spending under control,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Chris Bond. “As more of his fellow Washington liberals abandon their demands for higher taxes on families and businesses, why does Tim Kaine continue to embrace this unreasonable claim that job-killing tax hikes are the solution to Washington’s spending problem?”
Tim Kaine Loves Tax Hikes:
Kaine’s 2006 Transportation Plan Called For Tax Increases. “Weeks ago, both the governor and Senate leaders released competing $1 billion-a-year transportation proposals. The Kaine and Senate plans call for tax increases; the House plan does not.” (Michael Hardy, “Kaine Says Debt Possible For Road Fixes,” Richmond Times-Dispatch, 2/10/06)
“Gov. Tim Kaine Will Seek Higher Taxes On Vehicle Purchases And Automobile Insurance Premiums And Steep Fines For Driving Violations To Generate Revenue For A Transportation Funding Package That Would Produce $3.7 Billion In Its First Four Years And Provide A Sustained Source Of Money For Road And Transit Projects.” (Michael Sluss, “Kaine Unveils Road Map,” The Roanoke Times, 1/21/06)
- Kaine’s Plan Included An Increase In Vehicle Titling Tax And A Doubling Of The Tax Rate On Auto-Insurance Premiums. “He acknowledged that his own plan is ‘not perfect.’ A House panel this week cut the financing heart out of it, including a proposed boost in the vehicle titling tax from 3 percent to 5 percent and a proposed doubling of the tax rate on auto-insurance premiums.” (Michael Hardy, “Kaine Says Debt Possible For Road Fixes,” Richmond Times-Dispatch, 2/10/06)
- A “Key House Of Delegates Committee” Rejected The Tax Increases Kaine Proposed. “Gov. Tim Kaine will hit the road next week to promote his transportation funding and reform package, even though a key House of Delegates committee has rejected proposed tax increases that were central to the governor’s plan to boost spending for roads and transit.” (Michael Sluss, “Kaine Takes Transportation On Tour,” The Roanoke Times, 2/8/06)
January 2007: “Gov. Tim Kaine Will Make Another Effort To Win Support For A Transportation Funding Package That Relies On Tax And Fee Increases, Despite Failing To Gain Legislative Approval For A Nearly Identical Plan Last Year.” (Michael Sluss, “Fees, Taxes Drive Kaine’s Transportation Plan: The Plan Mimics One The Governor Introduced Last Year, But It Does Not Increase Auto Insurance Premium Taxes,” The Roanoke Times, 1/5/07)
- “Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) Proposed Raising State Taxes And Fees Yesterday By Almost $1 Billion A Year For Transportation, Once Again Plunging His Administration Into The Bitter Debate That Nearly Caused A Government Shutdown Last Year.” (Michael D. Shear, “Kaine Again Floats Tax Hike For Traffic Ills,” The Washington Post, 1/5/07)
In Crafting His Final Budget Before Leaving The Governor’s Office, Kaine Proposed A $2 Billion A Year Income Tax Increase
The Tax Increase Under Kaine’s Budget Proposal Would Be A $2 Billion-A-Year Income Tax Increase. “Virginia’s hated local car tax would be replaced with a $2 billion-a-year income tax increase under the new budget Gov. Timothy M. Kaine presented Friday.” (Bob Lewis and Dena Potter, “Va. Gov: End Car Tax, Raise Income Tax 1 Percent,” The Associated Press, 12/18/09)
Kaine’s Income Tax Increase Would Be The First Since 1972. “Besides a budget bill that deeply cuts funding for state-supported colleges, mental health services and public safety, Kaine is preparing a separate bill that would phase in a 1 percent income tax increase over two years. It would be the first income tax increase since 1972.” (Bob Lewis and Dena Potter, “Va. Gov: End Car Tax, Raise Income Tax 1 Percent,” The Associated Press, 12/18/09)
“Not A Single Member Of The House Of Delegates Voted Thursday To Support Former Gov. Tim Kaine’s Proposal To Increase The State Income Tax And Effectively Eliminate The Personal Property Tax On Vehicles.” (Michael Sluss, “Bill To Raise Taxes Gets No Takers,” The Roanoke Times, 1/22/10)
The Income Tax Change Would Have Resulted In A Tax Rate Hike For 60 Percent Of Taxpayers. “The increase would mean a hike in the income tax rate from 5.75 percent to 6.75 percent for those earning more than $17,000, 60 percent of taxpayers.” (Anita Kumar and Rosalind S. Helderman, “Virginia Governor Proposes An Income Tax Increase,” The Washington Post, 12/19/09)
Kaine Has Been The #1 Cheerleader For ObamaCare, Which Raises Taxes By $570 Billion:
Kaine: “[I] Think Health Care Reform Is Going To Go Down In History As One Of The Great Achievements Of This President.” (CNN’s “State Of The Union,” 1/2/11)
Kaine Called The Health Care Overhaul One Of Obama’s “Proudest Achievements.” “So the president made health insurance reform a priority — and the Affordable Care Act remains one of his proudest achievements.” (Tim Kaine, Op-Ed, “The President’s Progress,” Politico, 12/31/10)
In 2010, Kaine Said He Wanted To Be Out On The Campaign Trail Promoting Obamacare. KAINE: “[L]et me, let me focus on it, because I think you’ve asked an excellent question. Will the campaigns of 2010 be heavily focused on health care? You will have the Republican Party campaigning to repeal this historic health bill that will pass. You’ll have me and my team out promoting it. I want to have that campaign.” (NBC’s “Meet The Press,” 1/10/10)
