Wagner On Deeds' Gas Tax Increase: "Bring it On!"
- Declares She Would Raise Other Taxes as Well -
RICHMOND - Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor Jody Wagner has made it clear that she will stand firmly with Creigh Deeds in his quest to raise gas taxes by $1 billion to pay for an undeclared transportation plan, and in fact goes further, expressing the view that she believes even more financial hardships on taxpayers are needed. At a campaign event in Fairfax this week, Wagner appeared with Del. Vivian Watts, a former Secretary of Transportation, who agreed that heaping new taxes on the people is "responsible."
20-Cents-a-Gallon Gas Tax Increase: "Bring it On!"
"At the Democratic Club meeting in Fairfax County's Greenspring Village retirement community, there was no hemming and hawing Tuesday about whether Virginia should boost the gas tax to fix Northern Virginia's roads," reported the Washington Post.
"From the mouths of lieutenant governor candidate Jody Wagner, fellow Democrat Del. Vivian E. Watts, and several folks in the audience, the message was: Bring it on."
Deeds has pledged to raise taxes by $4 billion over his four years as governor - if elected - to pay for transportation improvements he has yet to identify. A one-cent increase in the gas tax generates approximately $50 million in revenue, meaning to reach $1 billion annually at least a 20-cent increase is required. Wagner has been clear in her stated support for Deeds' plan.
"The day after I'm elected governor, I'm gonna start assembling a bipartisan commission," Deeds said in a debate with Republican Bob McDonnell this week. "If that commission comes forward with a plan to raise new revenue ... I will sign it."
"[Wagner Campaign Manager Elizabeth Pearson] said, ‘Jody is looking forward to working with Governor Deeds to provide a long-term solution to transportation funding.'" (Washington Post)
But Wait, There's More!
Wagner extended her startling position on higher taxes even beyond the tax on gasoline. Because of diminishing returns due to more fuel-efficient cars, the Democrats will look to ever growing funding sources in the near future.
... the thrust of her remarks suggested that she believes not only that higher gas taxes must be part of a long-term solution, but that other new revenues might also be necessary.
"Whatever we do, we've got to make sure it's tied to usage in some fashion," Wagner said. "It needs to fall on people that are use the transportation system. Second, it needs to be broad-based in its application. And, third, it has to be sustainable."
Citing her own switch from a vehicle that got 20 miles per gallon to one that now gets nearly 50, Wagner said the nation's motorists are shifting toward more fuel-efficient vehicles, thereby reducing the amount raised by gas taxes.
"It is not the ultimate panacea we would like to think it is," Wagner said. "So, ultimately, that is not the ultimate solution. It may be a bridge. But, ultimately, we're going to have to be more diverse in the way we handle itbecause people are going to start moving away from gasoline."
Watts, meanwhile, said she thought Deeds "was extremely responsible" when he pledged to find new revenue for transportation.
Wagner's High-Tax History
Wagner has supported every major tax increase over the past eight years:
2004 - Sales and Use Tax (HB 5018)
2004 - Cigarette Tax (HB 5018)
2004 - Elimination of Tax deductions for seniors (HB 5018)
2004 - Recordation Tax (HB 5018)
2004 - 20-percent increase in the sales tax (HB30)
2004 - Car Tax Cap (HB 5018)
2006 - Car Titling Tax (HB 1611)
2006 - Vehicle Insurance Tax (HB 1613)
2006 - Registration Fee Increase (HB 1614)
2007 - Car Titling Tax (HB 2071)
2007 - Registration and Heavy Truck Fees (HB 3152)
2008 - (Special Session) - 1% increase on car titling tax, $10 increase on car registration, 1% increase in Sales Tax in Northern Virginia & Hampton Roads, 25 cent increase in Grantor Tax (HB 6026)
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