Former DNC Chairman’s Revisionist History Tour Continues
Despite a demonstrated record of cutting higher education as Governor and one day after reiterating his support for a massive tax hike on Virginia small businesses that will harm their ability to hire new workers, former DNC Chairman Tim Kaine’s revisionist history tour continued in the Commonwealth today.
Kaine unveiled a series of vague education and workforce proposals that his campaign claims will “equip young people with the skills they need to succeed in the jobs and industries of a global economy.”
But what Kaine didn’t mention was his actual record as Governor where he proposed significant cuts to higher education or his service as President Obama’s hand-picked DNC Chair in Washington where he led the charge for higher taxes on Virginia small businesses. Business owners across the country and across the Commonwealth have made clear that higher taxes will further harm their ability to invest, grow and hire new workers, which would have a particularly negative impact on young people entering the workforce.
“As with Tim Kaine’s prediction that the stimulus would create millions of jobs or his claim that ObamaCare would actually cut the deficit, this is another issue where there’s a mile-wide gap between Tim Kaine’s rhetoric versus his record,” National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Brian Walsh said today. “The fact is that as Governor, Tim Kaine proposed significant cuts to higher education and he has repeatedly worked to raise taxes on Virginia small businesses. And Kaine has yet to explain to Virginians how raising taxes on small business owners will create jobs.”
BACKGROUND …
As Governor, Kaine Cut Higher Education
Kaine’s 2010 – 2012 Budget Proposal Included Cutting Aid To Higher Education, “A Move Likely To Lead To Tuition increases.” “Cut aid to colleges and universities by 26 percent during the next few years, a move likely to lead to tuition increases.” (“What’s In The Budget,” The Washington Post, 12/19/09)
Kaine: “I Acknowledge That The Cuts To Higher Education Have Been Significant.” (Governor Tim Kaine, Address To The Virginia Summit On Economic Competitiveness And Higher Education,” www.epi.soe.vt.edu, 10/1/09)
During Kaine’s Term As Governor, Average Costs For In-State Tuition And Instructional Fees At Four-Year Institutions Rose From $3,812 In 2005-06 To $5,003 In 2009-10, A Change Of $1,191. “George Allen: During Tim Kaine’s four years as governor, ‘tuition went up by over 30 percent.’ He was governor from 2006 to 2010. The average costs for in-state tuition and instructional fees at four-year institutions — not including room and board — rose from $3,812 in the 2005-06 school year to $5,003 in 2009-10, according to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. That’s a 31.2 percent increase.” (Warren Fiske, “How Some Of The Hopefuls’ Claims Pan Out,” Richmond Times-Dispatch, 5/26/12)
“The Average Cost For Tuition And Instructional Fees At Virginia’s Community Colleges Rose From $2,182 In The 2005-06 School Year To $2,716 In 2009-10, According To SCHEV. A large reason for the increase in tuition was that Kaine and the General Assembly reduced higher education funding as part of their plan to balance the state budget during a recession.” (Warren Fiske, “How Some Of The Hopefuls’ Claims Pan Out,” Richmond Times-Dispatch, 5/26/12)
