Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Deeds Vows to Raise Gas Tax


Oops! This won't go over well with Virginians.

I'll Raise Gas Taxes, Deeds Tells Richmond Times-Dispatch

- In Live Online Video Interview, Deeds Says He'll Sign Tax Increase -

RICHMOND - Democratic candidate for governor Creigh Deeds today finally admitted what any casual observer already knew: he will raise the state tax on gasoline to fund his transportation agenda. Though Deeds vows not to have a plan until after the election, he now has made plain his belief that dipping into taxpayers' checkbooks is the way to pay for whatever it is.

In a live on-line video interview with Jim Nolan of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Deeds was asked: "If you're governor and you get a bill that funds transportation in some form of either general or non-general fund tax increase, will you sign it?" (Find story here.)

"Democratic gubernatorial candidate R. Creigh Deeds today said that if the General Assembly passed a bill to fund the state's transportation needs that included an increase in taxes, he would sign it," wrote the Times-Dispatch.

"What I will do is work with Democrats and Republicans to build consensus around a series of ideas that allow us to fund transportation, and yes, I will sign that bill," Deeds said.