[Here is the press release I just received from the campaign]
Joe Blackburn for State Senate
Press Release
April 26, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contact: Richard Crouse 804-852-8341
rjcrouse@comcast.net
~Stosch claims no $1.4 billion tax increase happened in 2004~
Richmond, VA—Tonight Joe Blackburn and Senator Walter Stosch participated in a debate sponsored by the James River Republican Women’s Club and the Henrico County Republican Committee at Pocahontas Middle School. The debate was moderated by Dr. Bob Holsworth with Deborah Cox of WRIC 6 and Tom Lappas of the Henrico Citizen as panelists.
Joe Blackburn firmly dominated the debate taking Senator Stosch to task on his over 40 votes to increase taxes and fees as a state senator. Blackburn emphasized the “serious lack of budgetary restrain on behalf of the Senator Majority Leader, Finance Committee member and budget conferee” these last four years in office which have only resulted in massive tax increases for Henrico citizens.
Senator Walter Stosch claimed that “it was not a $1.4 billion tax increase in 2004,” although the media reports and budget conclusively prove otherwise and Stosch also claimed cutting taxes 33 times as a senator. Blackburn replied that, “If you put a dime in my left pocket and take a dollar out of my right pocket, that is a tax increase. You must have to be a CPA to say that is a tax cut.”
Stosch emphasized his important role as being a consensus builder and working to get a 21 vote majority as Senate Majority Leader. Blackburn replied that the only consensus building Senator Stosch has accomplished is with the Senate Democrats and a few liberal Republicans. Blackburn also reiterated that four years have lapsed with no caucusing between the House and Senate, a crowning achievement of his consensus building.
In closing, Stosch emphasized the need for affordable tuition and stated, “and yes, that will require and investment.” This is simple codeword for another imminent tax increase.
Blackburn concluded, “It is time for a change. You want someone who will vote your way all four years of his term, not just the one year when he is being challenged. Our delegates voted against the 2004 and 2006 increases and we need a senator who will do the same.”
April 27, 2007 at 12:38 pm |
Well…the debate between Sen. Stosch and Blackburn last night was illuminating. Stosch had a full grasp of the facts, while Blackburn seemed to be reaching in order to try and make a point. But one major take-away I had was the AGREEMENT between the two on many of the topics…which bodes ill for Blackburn. There has to be a reason to change Senators, and Blackburn doesn’t seem to be getting any traction. Stosch has helped cut taxes time and again, and that’s evident by the STRONG support has in the business community. (Business managers don’t go for high-tax legislators…) And, Stosch has an exceptional constituent services record. Accessible. Responsive. It would be disappointing if Blackburn’s candidacy is merely a grudge race…with Joe being the surrogate for political operatives with an ax to grind. (But hey! I suppose that does happen.) If the debate last night is any indication of how the remainder of the campaign is going to go, I expect Stosch will continue to build momentum and win convincingly June 12th.
April 27, 2007 at 2:08 pm |
Was “luv2laff” at the same debate I was? I am a Blackburn supporter and I was laughing the whole time. Throughout the debate, the good senator waffled, wiggled, and wavered. His denial on the $1.4 billion tax rise in 2004 and claiming it was a tax cut was comical. I was born in the dark, but it wasn’t last night! Senator Stosch used to be fairly conservative and vote in line with his district. But in this past term, he lost his way. Can citizens of western Henrico and Eastern Goochland afford one more term of his creative accountancy and consensus building with the left? We can do MUCH better by voting for Joe Blackburn on 12 June for real leadership for a change.
May 7, 2007 at 6:28 pm |
Hallo, but colleague, you are sure?
prof.Preobrajensky.
Bye
May 26, 2007 at 4:11 am |
Hallo, but colleague, you are sure?
prof.Preobrajensky.
lonely man
Bye