Waiting for FDR
So while Delaware waits for Governor Carney to act like a Democrat (hint, it’s not going to happen), Chief Justice Leo Strine testified yesterday asking the Bond Committee to raise the gasoline tax. As much as I would like to see the gasoline tax raised, they only way I would support it is if income taxes on the richest is raised as well. A gas tax would be a burden on the working class and poor in Delaware. If they need to pony up some more money than the folks in 19807 need to pay as well.
By the way, Gov. Carney, this is what a Democrat looks like.
Chief Justice Strine also suggested changes may be coming to the state’s system of fines. Traffic tickets, for instance, have about $70 in costs unrelated to speeding attached to them.
Those fines, the chief justice told Bond Bill members, are holding back disadvantaged members of society.
“A lot of these folks who commit some of these offenses, if they had the money to pay the fine, they wouldn’t have done the shoplifting or whatever,” he said.
I’ve said all along the only way I could support a gas tax increase is as part of a package that includes a new tax bracket or two at the top. It seems like a reasonable compromise that would raise revenues.
The problem is, that isn’t a compromise. Both would be increases that only Dem’s above the canal would support. You would never get both of these tax increases (with this general assembly) without giving up something to the Senate Republicans.
Dems should also offer up some spending cuts.
Serious question – What are some spending cuts that Republicans would HATE?
Ok, a compromise between Democrats. We have majorities; we just seem to forget that. Of course, we also have Democrats who refuse to act like Democrats, so it doesn’t much matter.
Remember, tax increases cannot pass on a simple majority vote. We have minority rule in Delaware on that issue.
ugh with the gas tax again. raise it 2 cents this year, 2 cents next year, 2 cents the following year and 1,1,1,1. and i drive 25-30k a year. but they dont know how to do things wisely.
as i’ve stated before delaware also needs to follow MD on ezpass tolls. DE residents pay $1 and out of state pay $2. weekends – DE pays $2 and out of state pay $4
Arthur’s idea sounds good to me: those from out-of-state to pay more on EZpass tolls. Is there evidence that fewer shoppers and vacationers would visit or go through the booth instead? I can’t imagine that would be the case.
We need to live within our means. With PA sticking with 3.07% flat income tax DE needs to lower its taxes and put into place a 2.5% Sales Tax but not before slashing all of the giveaways.
Are there prisons? Are there no workhouses?
@Tom Kline: You are a moron.
Replacing income tax with sales tax is absurdly regressive — it’s a tax cut for the rich paid for on the backs of the poor.
What’s your problem, anyway? Do you not know how to find porn to masturbate to, so you come here instead?
I’d agree to a sales tax as long as the tax also applies to the thing the rich buy most of – financial securities. If financial trading is exempt from sales tax, the tax is regressive.
That’s the Robin Hood tax you’re proposing, and despite its potential to bring in enough money to erase the annual deficit, it gets no hearing in D.C. because both parties are in thrall to Wall Street.
Uh, if you applied a sales tax you would lose a lot of the economic development because PA, MD, and NJ would all just shop at home
I like the idea of in state / out of state tolls. That’s a reasonable proposal. You can drive the whole state without filling up your tank, but many tourist travel rts. 1 and 95. If they get off, they use more gas (pay gas tax) and maybe hit some local retail / restaurants (more revenues). Sounds good to me.