Activists lobby for tax increases

And someone at the Dispatch agreed to write a story about it:

If lawmakers are looking for suggestions on how to fill a $2.6 billion hole in the 2010-11 budget, a coalition of advocates for children, the elderly and disabled citizens has a few tax increases they might want to consider.

–Temporarily increase the sales tax paid by a half-cent, raising $650 million to $675 million.

–Temporarily increase the sales tax paid by a half-cent, raising $650 million to $675 million.

The Campaign to Protect Ohio’s Future is arguing that the shortfall is too large to address only by cutting services. So they are proposing a variety of tax hikes:

–Restore the top personal income tax rate to 7.5 percent, the level it was in 2005. This impacts incomes over $200,000 and would generate up to $470 million in annual revenues.

–Eliminate the $20 personal income tax exemption credit for all Ohio workers. That would generate up to $150 million.

–Temporarily increase the sales tax paid by a half-cent, raising $650 million to $675 million.

Wow.  I am sure that would really boost Ohio’s economy: Let’s raise taxes on everyone!

Sometimes you would think this group is some sort of liberal parody if it wasn’t actually an actual political viewpoint among the political activists who make a living tied to social services and other government programs.

The tax the rich more part I get – it has been a stable of liberal rhetoric for a long time.  But getting rid of tax exemptions and raising the sales tax?  I am not sure if they know it, but that will hit a lot of struggling people in the pocketbook.

Surely the Democrats won’t be so stupid as to fall for this.  And the GOP better be smart enough to realize that support for tax increases is the path to long term minority status.

Raise your hand if you think you pay too much in taxes.  OK.  Those of you with your hand up write a check to the state of Ohio and send it to the Ohio Department of Taxation.  They’ll take it, you’ll feel better and the rest of us can be spared the tax increases.