Republican Governor (AK); ; nominee for Vice President
Raising taxes hurts small business and hurts jobs
The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes ... raise payroll taxes ... raise investment income taxes ... raise the death tax ... raise business taxes ... and increase the tax burden on the
American people by hundreds of billions of dollars.
My sister Heather and her husband have just built a service station that's now opened for business--like millions of others who run small businesses.
How are they going to be any better off if taxes go up?
Or maybe you're trying to keep your job at a plant in Michigan or Ohio ... or create jobs with clean coal from
Pennsylvania or West Virginia ... or keep a small farm in the family right here in Minnesota. How are you going to be better off if our opponent adds a massive tax burden to the American economy?
Palin was just 28 when her political star began its rapid ascent. Urged on by city activists, she ran for and won a seat on the Wasilla city council, in part to help promote economic development in the small valley town.
Four years later, she was elected Wasilla's mayor, knocking off three-term incumbent John Stein by promising tax cuts, spending reform, and a fresh face leading the city. Palin largely delivered on her promises.
Source: Boston Globe, "A valentine to evangelical base", p. A12
Aug 30, 2008
As mayor, cut property taxes & increased sales tax
As mayor of Wasilla, Palin oversaw the Police Department, which has 25 officers, and the city's public works projects. "This is really rural America," said the deputy city clerk.
The city clerk added that Ms. Palin had three major achievements as mayor
She cut property taxes, increased the city sales tax by half a percent to support construction of an indoor ice rink and sports complex, and put more money into public safety, winning a grant to build a police dispatch center in town.
Source: New York Times, pp. A1 & A10, "An Outsider Who Charms"
Aug 29, 2008
$60M annually for municipal revenue sharing
Governor Sarah Palin today thanked legislators for their efforts in passing Senate Bill 72. SB 72, pertaining to municipal revenue sharing, sets up a structure for distributing $60 million each year to local governments for the next three years.
"As a
former mayor and city council member, it is my belief that services are best provided at the most local level possible," Governor Palin said. "I am pleased that Senate members have committed to fund municipal revenue sharing for the next three years.
They took our proposal and made it better, and I appreciate them for working together to accomplish this."
Under municipal revenue sharing, the state distributes funds to the municipalities of Alaska. The local entities have discretionary use
of the funds, which can be used for a variety of purposes such as providing larger communities the ability to offer tax relief to its residents and providing smaller communities with funds to help support basic municipal services.
Source: Governor's office press release, "Senate Bill 72"
Mar 12, 2008
Eliminate taxes that inhibit business
I will propose reducing or eliminating burdensome taxes on our citizens like business license fees and the tire tax. After our citizens, our state treasure is our commonly-owned natural resources.
Fifty years ago, our Constitution's founders established lofty goals and ironclad promises to be self-sufficient and self-determined wise use of resources.
Source: State of the State Address to the 25th Alaska Legislature
Jan 15, 2008
Repeal "nuisance taxes" including the tire tax
To help Alaska's families, and small businesses (the backbone of our local economies), I propose to repeal "nuisance taxes" including the tire tax--we shouldn't make Alaskans pay a premium to keep families safe driving Alaska's roads. And we'll
significantly reduce business license fees. Taxes which send the wrong message by financially discouraging our small businesses.
Source: State of the State Address to the 24th Alaska Legislature
Jan 17, 2007
Mitigate impact of new $50M annual cruise ship tourism tax
Thirteen days after the next governor takes the oath of office, Alaska will enact sweeping new rules and taxes on the tourism industry. Just a few months ago, Alaska voters put cruise lines and their passengers on the hook for millions in new taxes and
fees, all contained in a cruise-ship ballot proposition approved in August's primary election.
Sarah Palin now says she doesn't feel comfortable with some aspects of the new law. She recently told tourism industry officials that if elected, she would
work with them to "mitigate some of the impacts" of the law.
The new taxes and fees will generate at least $50 million a year in additional state revenue, according to recent estimates from the Alaska Department of Revenue. For the first time, the
state also will put observers on cruise ships visiting Alaska to monitor the ships' smokestack and wastewater emissions. And cruise lines will need to begin disclosing their sales commissions with on-shore vendors.
Q: If the state finds itself squeezed for funds in the future, where would you look for more revenue?
A: Unlike my opponents' efforts in the past, I will not propose to take the people's dividends or impose an income tax. Given our current revenue
projections, I will focus my administration toward developing our natural resources and establishing an agreement to build a gas pipeline.
Q: Should the state consider using more Permanent Fund earnings to run government?
Would support a seasonal sales tax, but no income tax
Q: Would you support state sales or income taxes under any circumstances?
A: I don't support state income taxes. There are circumstances where I could support a sales tax if applied seasonally.
Q: Are there sectors of the Alaska economy that are
under taxed or overtaxed? Which ones?
A: As a fiscal conservative, I'm not enamored with additional taxes on anything. I believe it's the governor's job to make sure the state gets a fair return on the development of our natural resources.
