Yesterday’s machinations in Richmond highlighted that not only were philosophical differences seemingly insurmountable, lawmakers don’t even count the same way and/or reporters don’t report the same way.
Both the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot and the Hampton Roads Daily Press report the House plan to eliminate sales tax exemptions on businesses would generate $561 million in revenue, but the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports the Dept. of Taxation says it will only raise $150 million.
I’m trying to confirm they’re all talking either apples or oranges.
The Governor and delegates are also sparing over how much the budget has gone up and how much is in the House plan for schools.
But House delegates know the number 115. That’s the dollar amount per day they voted for themselves while they obstruct the budget process. The Pilot story tells us how much it cost the state.
Meanwhile, the tone is getting nastier and the politics rougher. Del. Brian Moran (D-Alexandria) said, “Today was a demonstration of raw arrogance of power. It’s childish and its immature and it’s no way to govern.”
The GOP said it’s partly pay back, but some of their own don’t like it.
Even the conservative Times-Dispatch editorial page is wondering why the House can’t get a budget done, and the Pilot takes one of its own delegates to task.
A new study suggests a tax hike on tobacco won’t hurt state jobs.
There you go again, Washington Times. This story is headlined “Virginia residents fear tax increases.” But is based on interviews with “more than a dozen Virginians.”
More than a dozen? I’ll bet some statistician would have a field day with that small a sample size. And in the story, the Times only quotes six people. So, OK, they’ve talked to a least 13 people and six of them are against higher taxes (although the quotes suggests some are conflicted). Does that merit the headline? It must be a full moonie over the Times.