A Note From AFP Arkansas on TAX Issues~

Stand with AFP Arkansas

Grow Jobs NOT Government

Capital Gains Investment Tax Reduction: SUPPORT

When it comes to creating new jobs, Arkansas is at a competitive disadvantage. Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Missouri, Mississippi and Louisiana have eliminated or have reduced the job killing capital gains tax.  Arkansas has the opportunity to do the same by passing HB 1002.  According to the Wall Street Journal, “Businesses in high tax states invest less…and this leads to lower productivity and eventually lower average pay for workers.”  Let’s invest in Arkansas future by growing jobs, NOT government!

Uncommitted Votes:  Sen. Paul Bookout (Jonesboro), Sen. Linda Chesterfield (Little Rock), Sen. Jerry Taylor (Pine Bluff), Sen. Larry Teague (Nashville).  Senate Phone 501-682-2902.

Billion Dollar Diesel Tax INCREASE: OPPOSE

HB1902:  A bill that increases Arkansas’ diesel tax to 7.7 cents HIGHER than all of our surrounding states (Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Mississippi).  Diesel taxes are almost entirely passed on to consumers in higher cost of retail goods including food, clothing, office supplies, etc. (according to a Stanford University study conducted in March of 2010.¹)  For every one cent diesel tax increase per gallon, Arkansas consumers face an increase retail price of 1.09 cents.  Because Arkansas has the third highest per capita recipients of social security payments in the United States, just over 20% of our population², the burden will be felt most significantly by those living on fixed incomes.

Uncommitted Votes:  Sen. Paul Bookout (Jonesboro), Sen. Linda Chesterfield (Little Rock), Sen. Jerry Taylor (Pine Bluff), Sen. Larry Teague (Nashville).  Senator Jake Files (Fort Smith), Senator Bill Sample (Hot Springs) Call Senate Phone 501-682-2902

1.http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/facseminars/events/applied_microecon/
documents/ame_10_10_marion.pdf
2.Social Security Administration Master Beneficiary Record

Remember, states with more economic freedom grow faster, have better wages and better quality of life.  Let’s get government out of the way and work together to grow jobs, not government!

For Freedom & Liberty,

Teresa Crossland-Oelke
Arkansas State Director
Americans for Prosperity

“Man is not free unless government is limited.” - Ronald Reagan

I Picked the Wrong Week...

I felt like Lloyd Bridges in Airplane, "I picked the wrong week to stop drinking"... Red Bull...






My youngest daughter, Hannah, and I spent this past week pacing the halls of the state Capitol trying to keep a pulse on what is going on with all the tax increases, tax cuts and new government regulations. 


It started very late Monday night when news spread fast about Governor Beebe hoping to make Arkansas the Flagship for socialized healthcare by being the first state to fully implement Obamacare. (Read more...)


Which, among other reasons, is why Rep Ed Garner chose to not run HB1002, Captial Gains Tax Cut on Wednesday (will run next Wednesday), to allow the focus to be on Sen. Missy Irvin's bill SB 709, a bill that would have required  state agencies to document the expenses they incur to implement the federal health law. That committee meeting (IMHO) was a embarrassment to the system and to our state. (Read why...)


Thursday brought the "Internet Tax" bill that flew threw the Senate 26-7, meaning many thought-to-be conservatives voted YES to this tax increase. (Read more...)

But Friday was the clincher. I was truly feeling the depths of Mr. Bridges' sentiments as I scoured the Capitol for the nearest Red Bull vendor.


Yesterday morning bright and early the "Shale Tax" bill was heard in the House Insurance and Commerce Committee. (scratching my head) One might think that it would be heard by the House Revenue and Tax Committee. Oh wait the House Revenue and Tax Committee is majority Republican....


This meeting was the Coup de grace' of  back room politics. 


(this is a true parenthetical moment ...My brain just did a flash to Tony Soprano saying "I'm in the waste management business. Everybody immediately assumes you're mobbed up. It's a stereotype. And it's offensive... There is no Mafia.")  I'm not sure why that scene just popped into my head, let's continue.


The "Shale Tax" meeting was packed. The media reported 250 but I can tell you if there was one, there were 400. The word was spreading fast that Speaker Moore was considering not running the bill because he felt he did not have the votes, even in this stacked committee, to get a do pass; plus the size of the turn out (and I am not speaking of the number of people).


But he ultimately did and  it was quite the show. Don't take my word for it, watch it for your self here http://arkansas-house.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=393




I was slinging the Red Bull back one after the other around the time the House convened at 10 am, anxiously awaiting the floor vote on HB1902, another bill Speaker Moore supports, the "Diesel Tax" bill, that would raise the price of diesel fuel on Arkansans an additional .05/gal over the rest of the nation. (Read more...)


In case you haven't heard the diesel tax passed through the Arkansas house 67-24. Once again legislators Arkansans thought they could trust to protect us from additional taxation and government regulations voted to increase the cost of diesel fuel on us by .05/gal. 


Don't be fooled by any rhetoric you hear them justifying it about putting it to a vote of the people, Horse Feathers!, we sent them there with a CLEAR message in November, NO MORE TAXES.




Not only that but with that vote the said yes to spending millions of tax payer dollars to do it. See the powers that be recognize you can't let a good crisis go to waste, when thousands of Arkansans are dying everyday because of lack of good roads and safe bridges. We must implement this tax NOW by holding a SPECIAL ELECTION, which will cost more than 1million tax payer dollars (some estimates I have gotten over the last 24 hours say $2million) EACH time.


I say each time because unbeknownst, evidently, to several who voted for this tax increase, the language in the bill provides that the Governor can run "subsequent" elections if the proposition fails as many times as it takes to pass and as often as every six months (page 10 staring line 7 http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/HB1902.pdf)


We also know that there will be an "education" campaign from our illustrious protectors, to ensure that every Arkansan knows the urgency that is before us with regards to our roads.


Watch the House vote here~http://arkansas-house.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=394


Friends, I know you are busy, tired and perhaps feel unable to make a difference. But that is simply not true. If not for the people who have engaged in the past two years all of this stuff would have already been implemented with not a single hiccup. We have been able to shine the light on what has been going on now for decades right under our noses, and we ARE MAKING a difference.


Regardless of what you have been told the government is still run of, by and for the people. The people just need assert their power by the means afforded us in our system, IT WORKS! We just need to work it.


What you can do~

1. Spread this information FAR AND WIDE, make sure those in your spheres of influence    know what is going on, it affects their families too.
2. Find out who your elected officials are and COMMUNICATE with them. Let them know you willing to do the work it takes to come alongside them so they CAN represent YOU according to your beliefs and values
3. Read and investigate. What episode of Glee is more important than the future of your children and the families in our communities.
4. Ask questions. Tons of questions
5. GET INFORMED AND ENGAGED~

If you need help and want a little more direction, call me 501-258-6353, the more people we have seriously involved the faster we get our state on the right track and the more we secure the futures of the next generation.

The Truth about the Diesel Tax

Today the House Public Transportation Committee allowed an increase to Arkansas Diesel fuel to move forward. Speaker of the House, Robert Moore's HB 1902, which would increase the cost to Arkansans for diesel fuel an additional .05 per gallon, sailed through the republican controlled committee on a voice vote with nary a roll call.

The committee has 10 republican members, 3 [Reps. Denny Altes (R-Fort Smith), Gary Stubblefield (R-Branch), and Prissy Hickerson (R-Texarkana.)] of which admitted to blogger Jason Tolbert they voted for the bill. (read details here)

This bill will it the House floor tomorrow afternoon. Here some things you should know and pass on to your representative.

**This information provided by Teresa Oelke, Executive Director of Americans for Prosperity Arkansas.

The Arkansas chapter of Americans for Prosperity opposes HB1902, a bill that increases diesel taxes. Currently, Arkansas has the highest diesel taxes in the region (Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Mississippi) by 2.7 cents. This measure will increase Arkansas’ diesel tax to 7.7 cents higher than all of our surrounding states.

More importantly, diesel taxes are almost entirely passed on to consumers according to a Stanford University study conducted in March of 2010.[1] According to the study, for every one cent diesel tax increase per gallon, Arkansas consumers face an increase retail price of 1.09 cents. Because Arkansas has the third highest per capita receipiants of social security payments in the United States, just over 20% of our population[2], the burden will be felt most significantly by those living on fixed incomes.

Proponents of this legislation admit the tax increase will pull $100 million dollars in tax revenue each year out of the private sector, one billion over ten years. Each year, that is $60 million in NEW taxes or $600 million in new taxes over ten years taken out of the private sector.

Arkansas AFP will score the vote on HB 1902 on their legislative score card.

Overview

In a detailed study of the effects gas and diesel tax increases have on consumer prices, Stanford University concluded “We find that state gasoline and diesel taxes are on average fully passed on to consumers.”[3] In regards to diesel taxes, “Our base findings indicate that diesel taxes are fully passed on to consumers. Increases in state diesel taxes of one cent per gallon lead to an increase in the state retail price of 1.09 cents.”[i]

In addition to keeping the .04 cent diesel tax that is schedule to sunset; this bill adds .05 cents to the diesel tax, for a tally of .09 cents in diesel taxes increases. This will push Arkansas to have the highest diesel tax in the region by 7.7 cents[4] which puts us at a significant competitive disadvantage.

---

[1] http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/facseminars/events/applied_microecon/documents/ame_10_10_marion.pdf

[2] Social Security Administration Master Beneficiary Record

[3] http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/facseminars/events/applied_microecon/documents/ame_10_10_marion.pdf

[4] http://www.easy-tax-information.com/support-files/diesel-fuel-taxes-by-state-january-2011.pdf

[i] http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/facseminars/events/applied_microecon/documents/ame_10_10_marion.pdf

Roll Call~

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS~ If you fall into any of these categories: Parents, policymakers, education officials, reformers, intellectuals, teachers and taxpayers ~ You will not want to miss the FREE showing of "The Cartel" Thursday!

Given the chaos in WI & other states in our nation it is time for the masses to become informed & engaged~ Join us THURSDAY~ (for more info go to the eventbrite link or call 501-258-6353)

Register Here








Arkansas Prison Reform 


RobyBrock3:27pm via web

#ARLeg In the end, it looks like Gov. Beebe will get his man - or men, we should say. Full story.http://bit.ly/dZQCrE

From Talk Business~ FINAL PRISON BILL APPEASING PROSECUTORS' CONCERNS

In the end, it looks like Gov. Mike Beebe will get his man - or men, we should say.

After weeks of high-profile resistance from prosecutors regarding his prison reform bill,Beebe said in a press conference today that he was "cautiously optimistic" that prosecutors would endorse his bill.

And it appears they will.

Citing "active negotiations" between prosecutors and the Governor,  Henry Boyce, Prosecutor for the 3rd Judicial District and President of the Arkansas Prosecuting Attorneys Association (APAA), said that he expected his group to support the reform measure in the near future. (read more...) 

What the Legislators are saying:



Nathan BellThe House just approved raises for employees already earning more than $130000 per year. I voted against these raises. If we can't afford raises for all state employees we shouldn't grant raises to our most highly paid employees.

Representative Ed Garner several increases in Budget appropriations were voted down on the House floor today. There is definitely a change in the Capitol. Appropriations now matter. Appropriations are line item authority to spend money. Funding determines whether or not spending increases. Funding of the Budget is accomplished by the Revenue Stabilization Act at the end of the session. What is being voted down... is even the possibility that spending could increase...by limiting the appropriation. This...is new.

DavidMeeks2:09pm via HootSuite

All the appropriation bills that are not an increase in spending have been batched and passed92-0.#Arleg

harris4staterep1:53pm via Facebook

Voted no to staff of the House pay increase! State Employees may not get one, why should they! It passed, I am surprised!

Rep Uvalde Lindsey Blog site~http://www.uvaldelindsey.com/?p=13

Senator Larry Teague Blod site~ http://teaguesenate.blogspot.com/

Rep Linda Tyler Blog site~ http://lindatyler.edelta.net/

Senator Steve Harrelson blog site~ http://www.underthedome.com/

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

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! 

 

Standing in Wisconsin

I try to stay focused on Arkansas politics because I realize that to be the most effective I have to concentrate where I have the most influence. Having said that this ordeal in Wisconsin is really at the core of the challenges that face American in every state.

Don't you find it funny that folks screaming "Freedom, Democracy, Union" are literally blocking and preventing the process from happening? Democratic Senators have fled the democratic process? 

Does it say anything about the Teacher's Unions favorite mantra "it's about the children" when teachers and administrators have shut down schools to get their way? 

I mean shouldn't union dues be voluntary? Should the state be in the business of collecting them?

State budgets are faltering because collective bargaining tactics are used to force extravagant pension and health benefits. Do we want unions to have this sort of power?

Seems to me that union bosses in WI are frantic because they know their hand has be revealed. They know that Americans, by in large, are screaming for reforms, transparency and accountability. 

Arkansans should look long and hard at the example WI legislators are setting and perhaps adopt Governor Scott Walker's reforms for our state. 

Americans For Prosperity and American Majority will join forces again along with thousands of conservative activist to stand in support of Governor Walker (details here and here)

If you wanna know the nitty gritty details, I encourage you to read Michelle Malkin's blog she has followed the story rather closely. 

GET INFORMED AND ENGAGED~ You matter and TOGETHER we are making a HUGE difference~

Oh, and yes Max, my lexicon for Governor Walker would be "Champion of Liberty". 

Another Chapter in My Book

As many of you know today is my last day with American Majority. It is the epitome of bitter sweet!


I was as proud to work for American Majority as I was to serve in the US Navy, both are a service to this nation.

I am thankful for the opportunity that American Majority provided for me to share my passion for liberty and freedom. It is especially gratifying that we have had such success in Arkansas. As a matter of fact I believe history was once again made here Wednesday, three tax cuts passed out of our House and are headed to the Senate. Eight democrats (one with amazing courage) stood against our very (faux) powerful Governor, the details of this story are EPIC! Thanks in no small measure to what we accomplished with American Majority Arkansas.

Being this is more of a life path than a career choice, I am positive that our trails will cross again, as we march FORWARD to prevail.  I pray blessings over the folks at American Majority as well as their families and future endeavors.



When my friend Kerry Baldwin went out on that proverbial limb to hire me despite my "explosive" personality (funnier if you know my background)  it was the beginning of what will be a life long friendship and eternal voyage to obtain and maintain, transparency and accountability in our government on every level.  

I will now be working with Americans For Prosperity, as the Director of Grassroots for Arkansas. WOOT WOOT!! 
Joining forces with my friends Teresa Oelke and Elizabeth Aymond~ Watch Out Arkansas, you ain't seen nothin yet.

Arkansas Health Care Debate Heats Up Tomorrow

Have you called your legislator today? 

Rep David Meeks’ bill HB1053 known as the “Health Care Freedom Act” will be the focus of the Public Health Committee tomorrow at 10am.

I would encourage you to read the bill in its entirety here, (it’s only 2 pages long). The subtitle says a lot:

AN ACT TO ENSURE FREEDOM OF CHOICE IN

 HEALTH CARE FOR ALL ARKANSANS; AND TO

PREVENT INVOLUNTARY ENROLLMENTS IN HEALTH

 CARE INSURANCE PROGRAMS.

Plastered all over news headlines in the past few weeks we have learned that now Twenty –Six states have joined in the law suit challenging the national healthcare bill, known as ObamaCare.   Although the majority of Arkansans are in favor of the repeal, Governor Beebe and Attorney General McDaniel have said they would not be joining the cause.

However our Lieutenant Governor Mark Darr has made is quite clear all through his campaign that he is in support of the repeal and even has suggested he would file a lawsuit himself.

It is my understanding that the committee meeting tomorrow will be streamed live; you can access that from the web site http://www.arkansashouse.org/

The Committee is chaired by Rep. Linda Tyler, (D) from Conway. Here’s what Fox 16 reported on Rep. Tyler:

 State Representative Linda Tyler, (D) Conway, said she's not crazy about big government either but a mandate might be necessary. Tyler said, "it may just be something that we're going to have to accept as a part of being able to get where we need to be in health care reform."

Tyler chairs the Public Health and Welfare Committee and wants to see what the court system decides about health care reform before passing state legislation. Plus, she worries Meeks' bill would open Arkansas up to lawsuits. "That would be at a cost to our state that we just can't afford right now," she said.

Her statement on opening up Arkansas to a lawsuit is the same explanation the Governor and Attorney General have stated for their decision not to join the other 26 states.

In speaking with David this morning, he feels that it will pass out of this committee and be sent for a vote to the full House.  It will then proceed to the Senate Heath Committee and then a full Senate vote before ever making it to the Governor’s desk.

Meeks says that he is very appreciative of the support he has received. In speaking with other legislators today they have received numerous phone calls in favor of this particular issue.

David's interview with Americans for Prosperity on the issue:

I encourage you to contact your legislators and the members of the committee  and let them know your position on this issue.  As always please be respectful, keep your comments civil and factual and thank them for their service to our state.