Ladies and Gentlemen,I have it on good authority that House Republican ‘Leadership’ will, believe it or not, OPPOSE passage of Representative D.J. Bettencourt’s (R) Salem proposed amendment to prohibit an income tax in New Hampshire. Only Representative Howie Lund (R) Derry, refused to yield to Republican leadership’s arm twisting of Republican Ways and Means Committee member’s to vote against CACR24. Hat’s off to Representative Lund! All other Ways and Means Republicans voted with Democrats to kill CACR24.
House Republicans will now vote to leave the door open to the adoption of an income tax in NH. How low can ‘Republicans’ go?
Here’s a copy of the email which I sent House Republican Leader Michael Whalley this afternoon. I hope others also contact their Republican representatives to the NH House and express their dismay.
For reference, I’ve attached a copy of CACR24 as filed by Representatives Bettencourt and Hopfgarten.
Copy of email to Repubican Leader Whalley, sent January 31, 2008:
Mike,.I understand "Republican" leadership will oppose amending the Constitution to prohibit any "new" tax on personal income. Good grief. Our Republican leader during the Scamman years, Mike O’Neil, favored and signed on to CACR24 language. Is Neville Chamberlain’s star the one that guides Republicans in the House now?.House Republican leadership’s inability to see the merit in supporting CACR24, clearly defines why Republicans in the House are viewed as weak, ineffective, and practically irrelevant. Taking this foolish stance will substantially damage what little status, credibility or respect Republicans in the House have left. If House Republicans speak against passing CACR24 everyone on the outside will interpret the vote as House Republicans wanting to leave the door open for an income tax. Some message to convey to voters state-wide in an election year. Voters will surely wonder what distinction is left between NH Republicans and NH Democrats..You ought to rethink this. You are entirely on the wrong road..Paul Mirski
