Taxes

Former U.S. Rep. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) said Barack Obama's refusal to comment on the federal government's loan issuance to insurance giant AIG shows the Democratic nominee lacks leadership qualities. Portman also knocked Joe Biden's comment that paying more in taxes is "patriotic." Obama's reaction to the AIG bailout was that it was the "final verdict on the failed economic philosophy of the last eight years" and that the government shouldn't bailout AIG shareholders or managers.

COLUMBUS - Franklin Co. Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy (D-Columbus) made a direct appeal to families and the middle class today by releasing her tax cut proposals, which would be made for specific financial priorities rather than income tax relief.

Kilroy wants a college tuition tax credit worth up to $5,000 annually; increasing the child tax credit to 35 percent to a maximum of $2,100 for families earning up to $200,000; a $1,200 credit for the first $6,000 in elderly care expenses; $1,000 per person credit ($2,000 per family) for health insurance coverage otherwise lost between job, and finally a 401(k) match from the federal government of 25 percent up to $1,000 per year.

"You know I remember the month of August very well when my two daughters were in college because that meant a big payment we had to make - writing those checks to help them pay their tutition, pay their room-and-board, get those books purchased," Kilroy said, adding she understands families want help to pay for college.

The campaign of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) is up with a new ad in Ohio among other states attacking Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on the issue of taxes, and tax breaks called "Three Times."

The McCain camp responded to the ad calling it "three times the distortions."

McCain spokesperson Tucker Bounds defends the idea to reduce the corporate tax in order to keep jobs from going overseas.

"America's business taxes are the second highest in the world, and that is driving American jobs overseas," Bounds said. "So while American families are hurting and jobs are becoming scarce, Barack Obama is pushing for billions in higher taxes -- it's a recipe for economic disaster."

In the theater of politics, expedient and easy trumps realistic and necessary. That's why no one - especially not Governor Chris Gregoire - will be advocating for a Washington income tax anytime soon.

“Capitalism is responsible for the current food crisis and starvation around the world,” the voice on the radio said. “Attend our Introduction to Marxism conference this Friday and learn about the merits of Marxism.” Driving up the New Jersey Turnpike, I was shocked to hear this commercial on a popular radio station, though I shouldn’t be. The Left is on the march and more emboldened than ever. So, like any good capitalist wanting to learn what the radical left is up to, I registered.

Letting Tim Eyman dictate state policy, the Governor toes the "no new taxes" line and leaves the state budget about as stable as a two-legged stool.

NEWINGTON-Former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) said at a Republican debate that his primary rival has put New Hampshire on a path towards an income tax. While, former Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen said Bradley was distorting the record and he was simply following a state law supported by Bradley when Bradley served in the legislature.

Bradley said Stephen supported a state budget that increased spending in the Health and Human Services Department by $400 million and argued that Stephen shifted the cost of nursing homes onto local property taxes. "It's a road to a one-way-street you help put us on and that's a road to an income tax," Bradley said. "When John Lynch says the budget is unacceptable it should be unacceptable for you."

Stephen responded "there you go again Jeb" and said he was following a law that Bradley supported. "The law says I cannot cut spending until after the budget is passed. I basically had to submit a budget that maintained all programs at the rate of medical inflation," Stephen later told PolitickerNH.com.

Lobbyists swiftly thwarted an effort by state senators to cancel tax rebates given to the gaming industry on Friday, according to reports by the Las Vegas Sun and the Reno Gazette-Journal.

At issue was a Nevada Supreme Court decision that stated Casinos did not have to pay tax on free meals for their employees or comped meals for guests, which led to casinos filing requests for refunds that could reach over $100 million. The legislation introduced yesterday would have clarified the definition of a meal for tax purposes, preventing them from collecting a rebate.

When word got out about the bill, and its "unanimous" support, they descended on the offices capital, according to the Sun. Despite the visible presence of lobbyists, many lawmakers did not acknowledge any impact they might have had on the Republican majority's decision not to consider the bill and Governor Gibbon's public statement retracting his support for it.

John Stephen (R-Manchester) and Grant Bosse (R-Hillsboro): Photo credit: PolitickerNH.comCONCORD- A conservative tax group has launched a chapter in New Hampshire. Americans for Prosperity announced at a press conference on Tuesday that the group's aim is to promote grassroots activism in the Granite State.

"Americans for Prosperity is here to stay," said Ted Maravelias, AFP's New Hampshire deputy state director. "We're maintaining a strong network of grassroots activists."

Last fall, the state conducted its second “Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project” which included state Senate and Assembly races in legislative districts 14, 24, and 37. The first pilot project took place in 2005 and included assembly races in two legislative districts –the 6th and 13th. This month, the legislature will consider a bill expanding this taxpayer subsidized political campaign scam far beyond its current level, which cost taxpayers over $4 Million in 2007 -- including $625,000 for one candidate alone.