Tax-cutters and advocates for government services have faced off dramatically this year in the General Assembly, the Fairfax County Boardroom and Tuesday, April 20 at George Mason University. Communications professor Frank Sesno invited regional officials from both sides of the debate to a panel discussion at the school's Harris Theater.
The debate, which will be televised on WETA TV 26 on Thursday, April 22, at 9 p.m., came as the two chambers of the Virginia General Assembly remain deadlocked on plans to raise state taxes to continue funding services.
Del. Jim Dillard (R-41), one of 17 so-called "maverick Republicans" who joined forces with Democrats to pass a $750 million tax plan in the House said Virginia could not afford any more cuts.
"We've cut $6 billion out of the budget in the last three years," he said.
Sen. Ken Cuccinelli (R-37), an anti-tax advocate who has pledged not to raise taxes responded: "If that had happened, the budget would be smaller."
The way to hold the line on taxes, Cuccinelli said, is to limit growth.
But Dillard said that the growth on state spending reflects the exploding needs, noting that there are 32,000 more people on Medicaid than four years ago.
"You couldn't stop that growth right there," he said.
WHEN THE state government is unable to live up to its requirements because it doesn't have enough tax revenue, Dillard said, it places the burden on the local governments.
"We're struggling with this," said Supervisor Sharon Bulova (D-Braddock). "The main problem is the only thing that's been growing in Fairfax County has been the real estate tax."
DUE TO THE hot real estate market, assessments have increased by double digits over the last four years. On Monday, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a budget that will raise the average real estate tax bill by $313, even though the board lowered the real estate tax rate.
"Older folks are being forced out of the county" by the high taxes, said Cuccinelli. Some longtime residents are paying more in taxes than they paid on their mortgages, he said.
"They're renting from the county now that they own their homes."
County employees such as police officers, firefighters and teachers are also unable to afford the high home prices in Fairfax County.
"It doesn't make any sense for me to live out near Winchester and work in Fairfax County," said Josh David, a police officer in the county who heads the Fairfax Coalition of Police.
At the same time local governments are facing pressures on the spending side as more people require services. In Fairfax County, the Board of Supervisors Monday decided to scale back funding for a county-financed jobs program for special education graduates and start asking for contributions from parents.
"Let's not turn the clock back for one set of people," said John Stephens, the father of a 22-year-old son with mental retardation.
"No one likes their taxes raised but they want services," said Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille (D), summing up the situation.