The Senate finalized the apropriations bill (budget) at 5 am Friday (04.30.10) morning. The Senate approved a $23 million tax increase in the form of a car renewal fee. I made the point of order that this amendment violated rule 24 as it changes permanent law. Lt. Governor Andre Bauer was the presiding officer and sustained my point of order. In an unusual move (I’ve never seen this), a motion was made to over-rule the president’s ruling. The Lt. Governor was removed from the chamber and over ruled!
The fee is directed to the underfunded Department of Public Safety (Highway Patrol), however, I discovered 1/2 a billion in carry forward dollars in agencies. The oldest trick in the book is to waste your money behind your back, then raise taxes and justify it by “essential services”.
In the late hours of the night while you were sleeping, a tax increase is proposed and ruled out of order, the chairman is kicked out of the chamber and the taxpayer is shafted once again. Here’s the members that voted to protect you the taxpayer: Bright, Bryant, Davis, Grooms, Knotts, Martin (Shane), Massey, Mulvaney, Peeler, Rose, Ryberg, Shoopman, Thomas, Verdin
comments