Who Violated the No-New Tax Pledge
April 22, 2009 by Gary Coats
Filed under SC Politics
Who failed to keep their No New Tax Pledge?
Today I was sitting at lunch with a friend of mine discussing taxes and I was reminded of the no new tax pledges signed by our Legislatures in the 2008 campaign. Here is the text of the no new tax pledge:
“I, _______________, pledge to the taxpayers of the ______ District of the State of South Carolina, and to all the people of the State of South Carolina, that I will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.”
Read that last section of this pledge again:
“I will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.”
I bring this up because there was a bill passed by the House earlier this month that has been somewhat controversial. That would be H. 3584, which passed 97-22, otherwise known as the Cigarette Tax Increase bill.
H. 3584 imposes a 2.5 cents surtax on each cigarette. Last time I checked, there are 20 packs in a box resulting in a 50 cent tax increase on a box of cigarettes. The overall intent of the bill is to really reduce smoking and the legislatures claim that they are going to help small businesses by providing an insurance plan. Go read H. 3584 for more details.
If that is truly the case and they reduce the amount of smoking, then they will eventually increase the tax on all citizens when the consumption of cigarettes no longer funds the programs. What’s next, tax the people who drink regular coke? the obese?
So looking at that line in the no new tax pledge, let us see who violated their pledges. Below is a list of all no new tax pledge signers, the bill, and an asterick (*) to indicate that they voted for the tax increase.
Also, look for a “Tax Pledge” page coming soon to keep you up to date on all tax pledge violators.
Pledge Signer |
House District |
H. 3584 |
| Bill Sandifer | 2 | * |
| Bryan White | 6 | * |
| Don Bowen | 8 | * |
| Michael Thompson | 9 | |
| Dan Cooper | 10 | * |
| Harry Cato | 17 | |
| Dwight Loftis | 19 | * |
| Glenn “Dan” Hamilton | 20 | |
| Wendy Nanney | 22 | |
| Bruce Bannister | 24 | * |
| Rex Rice | 26 | * |
| Garry Smith | 27 | |
| Eric Bedingfield | 28 | |
| Lanny Littlejohn | 33 | * |
| Rita Allison | 35 | |
| Steve Parker | 37 | |
| Marion Frye | 39 | * |
| Gary Simrill | 46 | |
| Herb Kirsh | 47 | Leave |
| James Lucas | 65 | * |
| Murrell Smith | 67 | * |
| Thad Viers | 68 | |
| James Harrison | 75 | * |
| Joan Brady | 78 | * |
| Jimmy Bales | 80 | * |
| Roland Smith | 84 | * |
| Chip Huggins | 85 | * |
| Kenneth Bingham | 89 | * |
| Annette Young | 98 | * |
| James Merrill | 99 | * |
| Tracey Edge | 104 | * |
| Mike Sottile | 112 | * |
| Tim Scott | 117 | |
| William Bowers | 120 | * |
I don’t understand something. Why are name like Lee Bright, Joey Millwood, Nikki Haley, Tom Davis, etc. not on the list of the no new tax pledge signers?
jimmy, that is a very valid point. will the conservativist look into this further?
That’s funny. The supposed leaders couldn’t even sign a no new tax pledge. And then the voted to take the stimulus money after they voted against it.
Maybe Beltram was right?
Truth, Jimmy. You raise valid questions. We will be looking into this.
Thanks Gary. Was curious just because it seems most of the people you think of as “Sanford/reform Republicans” are not on the list.