Legislative Tracker

After 89 days of debate among Democrats on which taxes to increase, tax and budget legislation pass House

Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, today expressed disappointment with the passage of the $757 million tax increase contained in Senate Bill 6143 and the $30.5 billion supplemental operating budget. Pearson issued the following brief remarks on both:
“I heard a lot of people in the Legislature say we need new and higher taxes to prop up government programs, but taxes do not equal compassion. The multi-million tax increase will hurt the poorest among us the most. Families buying canned meats and vegetables are going to see their food bills go up. Those are folks who cannot afford higher taxes and who are already stretched financially. The budget passed today asks citizens to sacrifice, but doesn’t ask anything of government. That just isn’t fair and I could not support a budget that puts the burden on those who can least afford it.
“In the debate on taxes, I brought up the point that when government takes more from citizens, they have less to give to their local charities, like local food banks. That is going to have a devastating effect on the many families who rely on non-profit, non-governmental charities to make ends meet. Also, the additional millions in taxes the budget requires from employers means more people will remain out of work since money businesses would use to hire people will now be used to backfill a budget that was too large to begin with.

“In the end, the budget relied on emptying the last few dollars the poorest among us have in their wallets and taking what little investment employers may have had to retain and create jobs. This is no way to treat people who are struggling to make ends meet and find a job. I voted ‘no’ on the budget and tax package because I had to stand-up for the working folks in my district and statewide.”

The Democrats and governor will close the $2.8 billion state operating budget shortfall through:

• $757 million per-year in new and increased taxes ($1.6 billion increase in the 2011-13 budget);
• $661 million in spending reductions;
• $633 million in federal funds;
• $328 million in transfers from other accounts;
• $256 million in reserves ($229 million from rainy-day fund); and
• $178 million in cost shifts to other accounts.

Rep. Kirk Pearson represents the 39th District.