Morning Roll Call~ News You Need to Know

Tomorrow is the Defending the American Dream Summit in Little Rock~join America’s foremost free-market voices, top experts on grassroots mobilization, and Arkansas’ grassroots leaders from across the state in a massive show of force for our shared belief in lower taxes and more limited government. 

Register at www.ardream.org

A Union that Get's It

There is gallons of brouhaha brewin over tax cuts here in our not so fair (tax) state. A pint of tax cuts have passed though the Arkansas House and Senate. Four tax cut measures have passed the House (HB1002, HB1052, HB1056 & HB1369) and three the Senate (SB274, SB275, & HB276). 

The National Taxpayers Union is a union I can believe in. Yesterday they sent an open letter to Senator Larry Teague ,(D-Nashville), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Revenue & Tax, and the members of that committee who will be hearing  HB1002, the Capital Gains Tax Cut probably some time next week.

 You can read the entire letter here. The correspondence points out the fact that  Arkansas’ state and local tax burden as a percentage of state income is the 14^th highest in the nation and higher than any of its neighbors. And Arkansas’ business tax climate ranks only 40^th out of 50" . We share borders with a state without an income tax (Texas) and a state without a broad-based wage tax (Tennessee). 

 It goes on to explain,  "HB 1002 would significantly strengthen Arkansas’ tax competitiveness. By eliminating the tax on capital gains generated by property and new investments in the state"  enhancing  business activity and employment opportunities. 


These are important fact that the MSM seems to be negating in their coverage, just like the letter I posted from Rep. Ed Garner yesterday. 


I encourage you to contact the members of this committee and express to them respectfully your desire for Arkansas to be competitive in business and help alleviate some of the tax pressures on those that provide jobs and the families of our state. 


FACT MATTER~ GET INFORMED AND ENGAGED




TODAY AT THE CAPITOL


Watch Live HERE ----> www.arkansashouse.org
Today's Calendar --> http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Pages/Home.aspx

     

      FEED

DavidMeeks9:17am via TweetDeck

RT @AFPArkansas 2nd Annual Defending the Dream Summit - Tomorrow! http://bit.ly/eDiD9q #AFPAR #AFPhq

RobyBrock8:52am via Web

#ARLeg Proposed const. amendments ready for airing today. http://bit.ly/gNvZ4z

RobyBrock7:59am via Web

ICYMI US Rep. Steve Womack says 2 crucial Cong. votes nearing + addresses fed gov't shutdown. http://bit.ly/hlrdXI

DavyCarterFeb 22, 6:49pm via Twitter for iPhone

Question: What services were "cut" when the executive branch introduced its budget with the grocery tax reduction?

ArkansasBuzz9:23am via twitterfeed

Jim Gaston Named Business Executive of the Year http://bit.ly/eyd1ci

todaysthv9:12am via TweetDeck

#ARleg panel takes another look at bill that cuts state benefits to illegal immigrantshttp://bit.ly/ffnc48 M: http://bit.ly/gk5grL

EduAlliance8:45am via web

HOMESCHOOLING: Prosecution is waged abroad, while troubling trends abound in UShttp://tinyurl.com/4p6r7zd #ARLeg#homeschool

AFPArkansasFeb 22, 9:17pm via Twitter for iPhone

Union supporters at the state capitol. #ARLeghttp://yfrog.com/h2od5nnj

CAPITAL GAINS and the $44.5 Myth~ Where's the Press~

Why haven't we read this in the press about the Capital Gains Tax Cut? 

 Most of the stories that I have seen in the media over the HB1002 filed by Rep. Ed Garner are talking about this huge loss of revenue of 44.5 million dollars. But have you read this?~

Sent to me by Rep. Garner~

The 44.5 Million Dollar Myth

DFA has projected a 44.5 million dollar impact on revenue of the 2013 fiscal year when HB1002 passes.  There is no, can be no, impact on the 2012 budget. Zero.  Let's examine the fantasy of this assumption.  It is important to understand this equation because many State funded agencies, most notably, Higher Education has been told that their budgets will be cut to make up for the imaginary loss of revenue.  It is unfortunate that political rhetoric has obscured the facts of this important legislation for job creation in Arkansas.

This is what would have to happen…..

In order to affect the 2013 Budget, capital investments would have to be made in Arkansas after July 1, 2011 through Dec. 30, 2011.  A six month window.  Those investments would have to be held for over one year and sold in the six month window of July 3, 2012 through Dec. 31, 2012.

The equation for this impact is as follows…

Capital Gains from NEW Arkansas investments made July 2, 2011 through Dec 30, 2011, held for over 1 year     minus     30% of the gain and sold at a profit July 3, 2011 through Dec 31, 2011                               (current exclusion)

equals   Capital Gains taxed at AR income tax rates for the taxpayer

                  (this is running at an effective rate of 6%)

So…… to have an impact of 44.5 million dollars this must be the equation….

1.064 Billion Gains - 319 million (30% exclusion) = 744.67 million x 6% (effective) = 44.5 million

Assuming an average 10% return, 10.64 Billion would have to be invested and sold in Arkansas investments with 6 month windows for the buy and sell.

If even as much as HALF of all Arkansas investment made could be sold at an average 10% profit after one year…. Total investments in Arkansas in the second half of 2011 would equal 21.28 Billion in new investments in Arkansas.

This is simply not possible. This is a myth.  Will the media report this?  What is the response of Higher Ed who has been told their budgets will be cut?

Morning Roll Call~ News You Need to Know

No time for pontification this morning here is the scoop~


Get Schedule here~http://www.arkansashouse.org/events


Listen live to committee meetings and House floor here~ www.arkansashouse.org


Sen. Jason Rapert's Taxpayer Protection Amendment SJR4 will be heard 2day at 10 a.m. in the OSC at the Capitol. 


Twitter Links~


ademillo7:37am via AP Mobile_client

On the agenda for #ARLeg today: Ark. Senate to take up 3 tax cut bills. http://apne.ws/fDW4kV

RobyBrock8:26am via Web

Follow-up on yesterday's late announcement on Chesapeake sale of Fayetteville Shale assets.http://bit.ly/dM7J5p

FamilyCouncil8:17am via web

Sen. Larry Teague files bill that would allow for more legislative oversight of the lottery:http://tinyurl.com/4tu6cro #ARLeg

RLACC_GovFeb 21, 10:51pm via Constant Contact

RLACC Gov Affairs Comm Update ...http://conta.cc/dHSSdV via #constantcontact#arleg #479

ArkansasBuzz

8:08am via twitterfeed

Jim Purcell Interviews Wednesday for Louisiana Higher Ed Post http://bit.ly/gBV0oT

ArkansasBuzz7:49am via twitterfeed

Homeowners in Foreclosure Average 17 Months Late http://bit.ly/fbeDrB

RobyBrockFeb 21, 5:43pm via web

#ARLeg First GOP candidate files for open House Dist. 54 seat. http://bit.ly/dFBUYF

Chain Reactions~ Protest Across the Nation

Protest are flaring up across the nation by unions fearing their shtick is up. For decades now they have cost working taxpayers throughout the nation millions of dollars annually and driven state budgets well beyond responsible spending levels.

For nearly a week now teachers belonging to powerful teachers unions in Wisconsin have ignored their duties as educators and filled the Capitol building in Madison. Today one of the major teachers' unions has called on members to start returning to work but keep fighting a proposed rollback of union protections for public employees.

This has sent ripple effects across the nation. A news story this morning from 4029 TV reported that "Hundreds of state employees are expected at the Oklahoma Capitol on Monday to urge lawmakers to retain their pension benefits and implement a total compensation package that would include better salaries."

In Indiana "thousands of union supporters that packed the Statehouse this morning and spilled out onto Downtown sidewalks hoped their show of solidarity would be enough to dilute legislative support of a proposed right to work bill" according to the IndyStar.com

West Virginia state employees plan a rally at the Capitol on Monday to call for pay raises, improved benefits and better working conditions. (Read more...)

Ohio union workers are calling for their Governor to be fired the Sandusky Register reports "Lending support to the public employees were local leaders, politicians and private-sector union workers who held signs describing the Senate bill as a "thief" in disguise and calling for Republican Gov. John Kasich to be fired."

And as I wrote yesterday (Arkansas Unions Perk Up), here in Arkansas the AFL-CIO is calling for a protest on Tuesday at our state Capitol in Little Rock. 

I found this wonderful info graphic below by American Majority Action and an amazing website I referenced yesterday, http://www.unionfacts.com/ that might shed some light at to what is really going on. FACTS MATTER.

I hope you will join us on Thursday in Little Rock for the Defending the American Dream Summit  as hundreds of Arkansans gather to say NO to overspending, overreaching government and yes to ideas like those purposed by Gov. Walker to get our state budget in order. You are needed! 

 

Morning Roll Call~ News You Need to Know

Praying for our Troops and our Leaders will do a nation good!

National Guard soldiers deploy for Texas, Iraqhttp://bit.ly/fiLRJw
About 130 soldiers from the Arkansas National Guard have left for training in Texas that will be followed by deployment to Iraq.






The Calendar for the week at the Capitol~ Here. 
You can watch many of the committee meetings and the House here. 



Moore Roads to Taxes

Arkansas House Speaker Robert Moore (D-Arkansas City) will file a bill this week to increase taxes to pay for road repairs in Arkansas. He will support a second proposal (HJR1001), filed by Rep. Jonathan Barnett (R- Siloam Springs) to give voters the option in November 2012 to increase taxes for highway construction.


Last Thursday the AP reported that "Moore told reporters that he planned to file legislation next week that would raise taxes while the chairman of the House Public Transportation Committee plans to ask the Legislature to refer a half-cent sales tax hike to voters in 2012" 


The article also stated that "Arkansas has $23 billion in highway needs over the next decade, but only $4 billion in funding."  Sounds to me like we need to really start curtailing some other spending. Barnett expects his  "half-cent sales tax would end after 10 years and could raise about $200 million a year for new road construction. Barnett said he expected to file more details on the proposed constitutional amendment in the next two weeks."




#4 Tax cut in the Barrel 


Today during the Senate Committee on Revenue and Tax SB274 filed by Senator Gilbert Baker (R-Conway) will be heard. This bill would  double the sales tax exemption on used vehicles from $2,500 to $5,000. Baker said he plans to amend the bill Monday to bring the number of co-sponsors to about 22 of the state’s 35 senators.  This is the fourth tax cut to be heard by committees so far this session.


Keep your fingers on the dial to contact your legislators.




Being Good Stewards According to Governor Beebe


In his weekly radio address, Governor Beebe pays homage to the ADEQ (Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality) for their "reducing our environmental impact." He goes on to say that the ADEQ "has shown tremendous progress toward these goals in recent years. As it strives to protect and enhance the state's environment, it not only "talks the talk", it "walks the walk"."


As you may know the Governor has his Commission on Global Warming, which according to the web site is tasked with giving  "Arkansans our own perspective on the scope and potential impact of this phenomenon and recommend the best steps to take to protect ourselves, our environment and our economy for the future."


I am trying to get more details on this venture. If you want to know more I encourage you to Google "Beebe's global warming commission" a plethora of information will just pop up, let me know what you find out.







             FEED


DavidMeeksFeb 20, 8:23pm via TweetDeck

Join w/people across the state in support of Gov Walker at the Ark Defending the American Dream Summit this Thurs! http://ardream.org #tcot

ArkansasOnline6:29am via twitterfeed

LR faces hard call as cash tightens: For the past three years, Little Rock city officials have said city coffers... http://bit.ly/dNLLMF

RobyBrockFeb 20, 9:40pm via TweetDeck

#ARLeg Louisiana newspapers reporting that Ark. Dept. of Higher Ed director Jim Purcell will be offered LA higher ed job this week.

4029news7:56am via twitterfeed

Ark. Senate Looks At Tax Cuts On Groceries, Cars: The Arkansas Senate is considering cutting Arkansas' taxes on ... http://bit.ly/fVH6Wh

4029news7:56am via twitterfeed

Okla. State Workers To Rally For Pensions, Pay: Hundreds of state employees are expected at the Oklahoma Capitol... http://bit.ly/gQKb7h

Arkansas Unions Perk Up~

[UPDATE] 

COUNTER RALLY ON THURSDAY FEB. 24TH AT THE DEFENDING THE AMERICAN DREAM SUMMIT~ 

www.ardream.org~ Register TODAY!! 

Lest you think the battle brewing in Wisconsin is isolated to that state, think again. This is a  battle that working Arkansans cannot afford to lose. Although Arkansas has less than 6% union organization there is legislation continually littering the desk of our legislators to promote and strengthen the union presence and pressures in our state.














According to the Arkansas AFL-CIO facebook page they are having a Solidarity Rally for Workers' Rights this Tuesday (Feb 22nd) at the State Capitol. If you visit their web site you will find legislation they are pushing. 




Rep. Jim Nickels (D-Sherwood) who has strong ties to the unions here in Arkansas and has received over $20,000 in campaign contributions from them over two campaigns has filed many bills this session dealing with labor issues. An individual named Jim E. Nickels is listed as the Executive Director of the Arkansas AFSCME.


Last year I met Mr. Nickels for the first time here in Fayetteville as he disembarked from an AFSCME bus that was touring the state to promote EFCA (Employee Fee Choice Act, which is anything but free choice.)


Public sector unions cost Arkansans millions of dollars annually by driving state budgets well beyond responsible spending. That is the story in the majority of states in the US. 




According to UnionFact.com, "Arkansas residents could pay 7.13% less in state income taxes if they weren't paying for inflated government employee union wages." Think that would stimulate business in our state? 

The site also said:

Union officials have abused the trust of their members. They've misspent member dues and harmed the very same people they promise to protect.

In 2005 alone, federal racketeering investigations resulted in 196 convictions against union officials and employees and $187 million in fines. Union tactics -- including deception and intimidation during organizing campaigns, strikes that hurt members more than they help, spending mandatory union dues on radical political agendas, and the use of anti-democratic voting practices -- are long overdue for exposure. 

I am wondering what the unions are all in a tizzy about. According to the Southwest Labor's District Council, an affiliate body of the Laborers’ International Union covering Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas             

government statistics show that the average pay for union construction workers is more than 50% above that of non-union construction workers.

82% of union construction workers have health insurance, compared to only 46% of non-union construction workers. 

77% of union construction workers have a pension plan, compared to only 35% of non-union construction workers.

You can expect more unions across the nation to get fired up as elected officials across the nation attempting to bring fiscal responsibly and transparency to government begin to see where millions of tax payer dollars are being funneled. 


It will be imperative to make sure we are getting the facts, contacting our legislators and becoming fully engaged.  


As stated on Big Government.com's editorial on this issue, "we win this fight or we lose. It's that simple"