Fortner Strongly Objects to Democrats Push to Raise Income Taxes

     “I am amazed at this Democrat initiative to increase the state’s income tax. This is not the kind of graduated income tax that we are used to on our Federal taxes. This would punish people who just happen to cross the income threshold, not unlike what happens with the Alternate Minimum Tax that the Congress has been trying to fix. The language in this proposed amendment is completely unlike normal tax language that that is used in other states or by our nation,” Fortner said. “Proposals from the Democrats like this cause me to cringe at the thought of the harm to families in my district should they pass.”

     HJRCA 42 would increase revenues by $3 billion. There is no guarantee that any of this revenue would come back to provide additional education funding or repair roads in the 95th district. The additional revenue from this tax would also not be used to address the $1.7 billion Medicaid backlog, provide property tax relief or maintain and improve our state’s local roads and infrastructure.

     “There are a number of detailed problems with this tax increase proposal from punishing a married couple - where both are working - to punishing the employers in my district who are providing jobs to my constituents,” Fortner said. “I’m looking for solutions to solving our state’s fiscal problems and not blindly trying to create new taxes. Last year I fought the proposal to increase the gross receipts tax on employers and this year I will fight against the Democrats’ new proposal to increase income taxes. Let’s stop these games, tighten our belts and find realistic solutions to the loss of jobs in our state, high property taxes and high prices at the pump.”