I’m not complaining here but it looks like, for whatever reason, the M&T tax repeal bill didn’t make it out of the House appropriations committee. This despite the fact that the chair of the Finance committee introduced this bill. This is the guy who is a representative from VA. Beach. Wonder how he would feel if someone introduced a repeal of the hotel tax….bet it would be an outrage…:)
I was contacted by a reporter today and he asked me about my position on the bill and I indicated that I didn’t want to see the tax repealed or altered. It is worth $5million/year to the city. He then asked me an interesting question: “do you think that your position is very “Republican”? My reply was two-fold:
1. We negotiated substsantial discounts with our current M&T tax payers. We’ve discounted over $5million over the years. That’s pretty aggressive.
2. I further replied that I wasn’t sure it had much to do with republican vs. democratic as I am still responsible for public infrastructure, policing streets, putting out fires, rescuing people in distress and educating children. For local government officials, these are not abstract ideas. I live here. My kid is in the schools. I assure you it is very real and the residents of Manassas don’t expect that any of these services will get cut more than they already have. In addition, the City faces an increasing number of unfunded mandates from Richmond and Washington with each passing year…..you can’t have it both ways and my priority is trying to maintain the services that benefit the residents of Manassas.
In any event, I am glad the bill appears to have died. Let’s hope they don’t manage to drag out of the grave….until next year.
February 8, 2011 at 9:19 pm
It seems the reporter was baiting you and other Republicans. In my view he was going for the inference that Republicans will cut taxes completely irrespective of its effect on the items you enumerated. You refused to go for the bait.
February 9, 2011 at 1:29 am
Agree with Rich. Great response Andy, and good on ya for not falling for the bait.
I emailed Jackson as he hasn’t been around lately for a “over the back fence” chat. Maybe it helped, though I didn’t get any response. I’m just glad the repeal looks dead for now.
February 9, 2011 at 11:23 am
– Will note that five of the six members of the Manassas
City Council are Republicans, as is the Mayor.
– M&T and BPOL are LOCAL option taxes. The
Council’s Republican majority could end them at
any time.
– The elimination of the taxes at the state level would
have zero impact on their budget, but would
blast a huge hole in that of many localities,
including Manassas. GA members could easily
help business by ending the STATE corporate
income tax – but then Richmond would have to deal
with the loss of revenue in their budget.
– Good government is about balance and finding that
balance at the local level is best done by local
elected government.
February 9, 2011 at 11:43 am
More good news – great feature on City of Manassas Public Utilities on Fox 5, “Montgomery County Ponders Municipal Power…Manasas Has It!
http://www.manassascity.org/index.aspx?NID=1038
February 9, 2011 at 12:14 pm
I like to think the other members of the Appropriations Committee actually read the Impact Statement noting that, although no impact to State revenue, changing M&T would gut local governments.
Excellent quotes in the paper, oh Vice Mayor!
February 10, 2011 at 8:19 am
Didn’t see the paper yesterday and can’t seem to find it online!…ah well.
Thanks Ray!
February 10, 2011 at 10:14 am
David B,
I apologize that you did not get a response to your email. It is our policy to write everyone back in a timely manor.
We have been in the process of creating a new website and with that some of our contact info has changed. You may email Delegate Miller at jackson@jacksonmillerva.com or we have a Contact Us form on our new website, http://www.JacksonMillerVA.com. And as always you can call us at 703-244-6172. Thank you!
-Jessica, Legislative Assistant
February 10, 2011 at 1:40 pm
Andy, minor correction. The M&T tax legislation was put in by Del. Purkey who is chairman of the finance committee. He is from Va. beach.
Del. Putney (Bedford) is chairman of appropriations.
February 10, 2011 at 3:39 pm
Thx. I’ll fix it!
February 10, 2011 at 9:28 pm
Not good news that up to six people have been shot in GTS tonight. Andy, it’s time for you and the rest of the Council to do something now about GTS. This has got to stop. For the last few months, Hood Road has been bumper to bumper with parked cars from people who then walk into GTS. They even come into our parking lots in Wellington to park. That’s a sure sign there is massive overcrowding in GTS.
February 11, 2011 at 8:20 am
http://www.roanoke.com/politics/wb/276669
At least when they are focused on Ginnies and pickles,
they aren’t dreaming up new unfunded mandates
for local governments and, at the same time,
attempting to eliminate historic sources of local
revenue.
February 11, 2011 at 10:35 am
CitzenofManassas, I understand your issues, but sending zoning inspectors into GTS might be the worse idea I have ever heard. Lets let the PD go in and take care of business and that may take care of the overcrowding issue. But to send in civilian inspectors is a crazy idea. I wouldn’t ask one of them to go in there at night right now.
February 13, 2011 at 11:22 am
ManassasCityResident,
I’ve always been happy to “ride along” with a
city inspector, or any other employee, to
any Manassas neighborhood, day or night.
(Darwin Guyton, now a MCPD
Detective, began his career in inspections,
and we spent numerous days and nights,
in GTS dealing with housing code issues.
Also enjoyed walking once a week with the
GTS Neighborhood Watch).
I plan to be at the candlelight vigil at 7:19
tonight in front of 9213 Hood. Why don’t you
join us?
July 17, 2011 at 2:34 pm
Good evening great text,
incredibly importantthatday! Do you use twitter? Id like 2 follow u if that would b okay. im undoubtedly enjoying ur text & look forward 2 new updates. ;> 12dietboost users at Arverne – Riley’s quartely coffee meetups!