GOP Watch

A “dopey scheme” from Rerras and Giffin

Posted by Greg on Tuesday, October 02

Sen. Nick Rerras and candidate Hank Giffin have been touting a new, cure-all solution for rising real estate taxes, in the form of a 5% cap on annual property tax increases. The problem?

Number one, it’s not new. Several such bills have already been killed over the past four years – including SB773 in 2003, co-sponsored by Rerras.

Number two, their leadership doesn’t seem to take it very seriously:

GOP leaders have responded with an outpouring of enthusiasm generally reserved for Brussels sprout casserole day at the Capitol cafeteria.

When House Speaker Bill Howell held a press conference last week to announce the official Republican Property Tax Relief Plan, the caps were noticeably absent from the list.

When reporters asked about the caps, Howell mumbled that there was no agreement on the topic, and quickly moved on to another question. (The Virginian-Pilot, 10/1/07)

We’re not surprised that Nick Rerras doesn’t have the support of his leadership, since Virginia FREE ranks him among the least effective members of the Senate majority (vafree.com). Presumably, that’s why he hasn’t been able to pass the cap already.

Still, we’re surprised that Giffin would be casting his lot with someone so unproductive – but, as the Pilot says, “Republicans in the House and Senate are actually talking to each other” this year.

Unfortunately, that’s only because there’s an election.

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