Burnt Orange Report

Republicans Raising Taxes in Alabama

By Byron LaMasters

This is bizarre.

"We've got a conservative, evangelical Christian,Republican governor," he said, enunciating each word as if to get his head around the details, "trying to get a massive turnout of black voters to pass a tax increase so he can raise taxes on Republican constituents."

In a stunning subplot to the fiscal crises roiling the states, Alabama Gov. Bob Riley (R) -- who for three terms in Congress boasted that he never voted for a tax increase and was elected governor on a promise not to raise taxes -- is proposing to raise state taxes by a record $1.2 billion, eight times the largest previous increase and almost twice what is needed to close a $675 million budget deficit.

Well, I'm sure that I'd agree with Riley. But I'm really kind of shocked that a Republican is spending his political capital on raising taxes for the wealthy folks that helped bankroll his campaign. If only Bush would govern this way, he'd get re-elected in a walk.... or lose the GOP nomination.