Tuesday, January 15, 2008,5:53 AM
Our State Senator Proposes Regressive Tax
Phil Puckett. Always looking out for the little guy.

If that little guy is living in breathtakingly affluent Arlington County, driving a BMW M6, and wants the state to provide him with a quicker way to get to his six-figure job over in D.C.

As for the little guy in Norton - and Abingdon - and Independence - and Bluefield - who's going to have to pay for the man's transportation wants, well, suck it up, bubba, and quit buying all those fruits and vegetables over at the Wal-Mart.

The affluent beckon. And, as always, Senator Phil Puckett is there to carry their water:

Long road lies ahead to replace driver fees
By Michael Sluss, The Roanoke Times

Richmond -- Virginia lawmakers in both parties appear ready to scrap the state's controversial "abusive driver" fees. But they are far from agreeing on how, or whether, the state should replace revenue the fees were supposed to generate.

Lawmakers in both parties have filed bills to abolish the fees, but only a few have proposed new ways to generate maintenance dollars. Sen. Phillip Puckett, D-Russell County, is sponsoring a bill (Senate Bill 411) to increase the state gasoline tax from 17.5 cents per gallon to 20 cents. Even a one-cent increase would produce about $50 million annually, said Puckett, who sits on the Senate Transportation Committee. (link)


The gas tax. The most onerous of them all because of the harsh impact it has on the poorest among us.

But no matter. Folks up in northern Virginia want their new roads and bridges.

So you folks in Swords Creek are just going to have to sell your car and walk to Richlands.

Oh, one other thing. A minor matter. Puckett thinks you're stupid:
"The reason behind this is that the gas tax has nothing to do with what you pay at the pump," said Puckett, arguing that prices differ little in border states with higher gas taxes than Virginia's.
Next time you're standing there watching the digital meter on that gas pump race ever upward, look over at that little sticker on the machine that says: 45.9¢ of the price you're paying per gallon is fuel taxes.

45.9¢

Then give Mr. Puckett a call and advise him that we ain't as stupid as he thinks we are.

He can be reached at (804) 698-7538. Assuming he doesn't have his head buried up Tim Kaine's ass when you call.
 
posted by Jerry Fuhrman
Permalink ¤