by Politifact.com (Click on above link to read article)
Later, Smith asked: "So you don't believe that at any time that anybody reasonably could look over the last 10 years and identify anything where a tax went up?" Perry agreed.
We wondered whether Perry had accurately recited his track record as governor.
After asking his campaign to elaborate, we took up a basic question: Has Perry signed tax hikes into law?
Boy howdy, yes."
SILENCE DOGOOD's ANALYSIS:
"I rate this review as pathetic partisan ideological extremist BS."
After you read the summary below, tell me that he was not acting as a good and effective governor, properly and responsibly managing his State.
Like him or hate him, let’s just be honest. That is what responsible Patriots do.
Honest Patriots know that there is no free lunch. Like government or hate it, we need some government and it must be paid for. So, we all agree to be taxed and governed to some degree. Now it is up to us to choose the individual who will be most responsible and effective in managing these twin-joined evils.
The article noted that Perry raised Cigarette taxes (oh, yeah, that’s a business killer! NOT!) A $1.41 a pack Sin Tax increase and the funds reduced School property taxes... so, if you really want to be accurate, it was revenue neutral. He then allowed applying the tax to smokeless tobacco... again that seems more like a fairness issue than a tax increase. That also pays for doctors to practice in rural areas.
Then he raised taxes on fireworks by 2% to pay for rural fire departments..... again... a necessary evil. (House Bill 3667, June 16, 2001)
Raised a 1% tax on nitrogen oxide emissions - stopping a serious pollution... ok, that’s an actual tax, but I classify as similar to a Sin Tax (Senate Bill 5), June 15, 2001 and modified this... House Bill 1365 (June 22, 2003). the net numbers remained nominal.
Reformed the franchise tax, and apply it to companies that avoided the old corporate franchise tax. Let’s face the fact, fairness is an important doctrine in taxes. Virtually everyone in a group must pay some taxes, if not similar taxes for similar benefits. And, this change was said to be a net decrease. I don't have numbers, but if that is true, that makes this articles belligerence bewildering. Is it their job to report, or to unduly influence?
Perry reformed used car sale taxes, again making the taxes fair. Hardly abusive.
Now, with all these “increases” he also reduced property taxes. So, again, they are revenue neutral, positively fair, and they reduce property taxes which is highly beneficial.
Unemployment Insurance went up, but that is an auto-pilot program and happens regardless of who is governor...and, in fact, when unemployment goes down, so with this tax.
In short, this article is filled with baseless complaints. We might not agree with every action, but they increased fairness, reduced individual taxes and reduced property taxes, while being revenue neutral.
My analysis:
"Perry acted as a good, responsible and competent governor in managing the necessary evil of taxes. "
