Taxation and Government Spending

Taxation and Government Spending
Position Statement

"He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance."

Thomas Jefferson - Declaration of Independence

Taxation and government spending continues to be a battle that we must fight together and must fight continuously. When our grandfathers were born, there was no such thing as income tax because it was illegal. In those days sales taxes, excise and tariffs were the means for raising money. Since the time of our grandparents we've seen taxation and government explode into the behemoth it has become today.

Government at all levels has become addicted to its citizens' wallets. Government has in fact created the equivalent of a credit card in our, our family's, our children and even our grandchildren's name and has thrown stewardship and financial responsibility to the wind. It just "takes" more money when it wants to spend, without asking or even caring what the citizens' opinion is. The citizens of our country must retake control of the growth of government spending and intrusion in our lives and property.

As your State Senator, I pledge I will pursue fiscally conservative representation for the citizens of north Georgia and a return to our founding principles. I will work to enact legislation that will give Georgians the opportunity to take away the government's credit card in our name by a statewide referendum and to return spending and taxation to that directly approved by the citizens.

No tax increases.

I have signed the American’s For Tax Reform Pledge that I will not vote for any tax increases. To demonstrate my commitment, my signature was witnessed by my pastor and family deacon.

Citizens' Money is the citizen’s money.

I will sponsor legislation (Constitutional Amendment) that would require ANY tax increase OR new tax to be approved by the voters of the district upon which the tax increase would be levied. Government should ASK for your money stating clearly why it is needed, IF given permission by a majority of voters then, and only then, collect the increase and spend your money wisely and justly for the purpose stated. Government at all levels is addicted to the citizen’s wallet and taxes, borrowing and spending can not increase forever.

Property Tax.

Creeping and mushrooming property tax assessments present a never ending threat to home owners, especially in rural areas with increasing development. A neighbor or developer builds new higher value structures on neighboring property thus raising a home owners “assessed value.” The resulting higher taxation is forced on the home owner, not for his actions, but for the actions of his neighbor or some developer. This is not just and is not fair. I have and will continue to support index of homestead exemption to effectively “freeze” assessed value for residents for county, municipal and school district taxes.

Limited Government.

Our country was founded on the principle of limited government. Both the major political parties have abandoned this principle. Every year, federal, state and local governments enact volumes of laws, appointed agencies enact countless regulations and policies that have the force of law. It is doubtful that anyone even knows how many laws, regulations and policies that they violate every day. I will sponsor legislation that would place a sunset (expiration date) on every law and regulation enacted or currently existing in Georgia. Let us begin the return to limited government. Reduce the cost (thus your taxes) and get the government off your back.

State Disbursements.

Disbursements of Georgia funds should be applied in a fair and just way, instead of being concentrated in areas such as Atlanta. The Congressional Districts provide a population equal geographic division in Georgia and State funds should be as equally divided among each of the Congressional Districts as possible. This applies to State employment, services and expenditures. The current trend of continuing to concentrate State disbursements provides unequal opportunity for bypassed areas and is in effect an undesirable subsidy.

These proposals all have two underlying themes:

1) Provide the opportunity for the citizens of Georgia to place control of their money and government back in their hands, if they so choose. If we truly believe in government of the people, by the people and for the people then your elected representatives should TRUST the people and listen to them.

2) Limited Government. The endless accumulation of laws and more importantly the endless accumulation of regulations with the force of law are creating a bloated and intrusive government. By placing a sunset clause on all laws and regulations, we will have a streamlined government and a less intrusive government. Let un-needed laws and regulations expire. Many laws are nothing more than "perks" for various special interests, that you get to pay for, and should expire. Desirable laws can be renewed.

Combined these proposals represent a major step toward returning to the founding principles of our country and eliminating the unholy influence of special interests. If you too want to see a return to our founding principles, I urge you to consider helping me be your voice in the State Senate. You will not be disappointed. Click here to help.

Taxation and Government Spending Position Statement

Taxation and Government Spending
Position Statement