New Bolling Ad: Wagner On Higher Taxes? "Bring It On"

Ad highlights Jody Wagner's and Creigh Deeds' dishonest, personal attacks and support for higher gas taxes and other taxes

RICHMOND - The Bolling for Lieutenant Governor Campaign today released their fourth television ad titled "Bring."

The ad highlights Jody Wagner's support for higher gas taxes and other taxes as reported by The Washington Post last week.  The ad also criticizes Wagner for joining with her running mate Creigh Deeds in support for higher taxes and for conducting one of the most negative and dishonest campaigns in recent Virginia history.

On October 13, 2009, The Washington Post reported that during a campaign stop in Fairfax Wagner indicated that she supported raising the gas tax, as well as additional unspecified taxes, to pay for transportation improvements:

"At the Democratic Club meeting in Fairfax County's Greenspring Village retirement community, there was no hemming and hawing Tuesday about whether Virginia should boost the gas tax to fix Northern Virginia's roads.  From the mouths of lieutenant governor candidate Jody Wagner, fellow Democrat Del. Vivian E. Watts, and several folks in the audience, the message was: Bring it on."  (emphasis added)

When asked a question regarding whether or not Virginia should raise gas taxes by 50% the Post reported Wagner's response by noting:

"The thrust of [Wagner's] remarks suggested that she believes not only that higher gas taxes must be part of a long-term solution, but that other new revenues might also be necessary."  (emphasis added)

Bolling Campaign Manager Matt Wells commented, "Jody Wagner has a long record of supporting higher taxes, but her recent admission that she supports higher gas taxes in the middle of a recession is particularly disturbing.  These tax increases will kill jobs and drive our economy deeper into recession.  Unfortunately for hard working Virginia taxpayers, Jody Wagner doesn't believe that increasing the gas taxes is enough and she wants to raise other taxes on families and businesses as well.  If she is willing to admit she supports higher gas taxes, what other massive tax increases will she support as well?  She should answer this question clearly before November 3rd."

Continued Wells, "Jody Wagner knows that Virginians won't support her plan for higher taxes, which is why she has been engaging in negative and dishonest attacks against Bill Bolling.  For Virginians, the contrast is clear: Bill Bolling will work with Bob McDonnell to keep taxes low and create jobs; Jody Wagner will work with Creigh Deeds to raise taxes, which will kill jobs."

 

Additional Background Information

 

Wagner Supports Creigh Deeds' Plan to Raise Taxes

In recent weeks, Creigh Deeds clearly and unequivocally stated that he will raise taxes on Virginia families and businesses.  Since then, Jody Wagner has repeatedly stated that she will support Deeds' plan.

During an interview with Creigh Deeds on October 17 in Falls Church, Wagner said "We need to solve the transportation issue. Creigh and I are on the same page. We have the same concerns and we are going to work very closely together." (Interview, Eden Center in Falls Church, 10/17/09)

[Wagner Campaign Manager Elizabeth Pearson] said. "Jody is looking forward to working with Governor Deeds to provide a long-term solution to transportation funding." (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog, 9/22/09)

Jody Wagner wrote, "I am looking forward to working with Governor Deeds to provide a long-term solution to transportation funding." (Not Larry Sabato Liveblog, 9/24/09)

In a recent interview on WTOP, Wagner repeated her openness to tax hikes, stating "I will consider anything." (The Politics Show With Mark Plotkin, 10/16/09)

On the Virginia FREE survey, Wagner had the exact same answer as Creigh Deeds to a question on transportation funding:

"I believe we need to leave all options on the table, and find consensus solutions in the General Assembly... I believe both sides need to enter discussions with open minds, and work towards a compromise that will allow us to address the short- and long-term transportation needs in Virginia." (Wagner Virginia FREE Survey)

Wagner Dishonest about GACRE

 She has repeatedly attacked Bill Bolling for failing to attend meetings of the Governors Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates (GACRE).  The Lieutenant Governor is not a member of GACRE.

A listing of GACRE members can be found here.  The Washington Post reported that "For the record, Bolling is not a member of the Governor's Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates". (Washington Post, Virginia Politics Blog, 8.10.09)

 

Wagner Lies about the Governor's Opportunity Fund

Wagner's campaign has attacked Bill Bolling on numerous occasions for attempting to cut the Governor's Opportunity Fund.  At a campaign stop in Augusta, Wagner had this to say:

"It's interesting that last week Bill Bolling was traveling around the state, and he was talking about the fact that the Governor's Opportunity Fund has to be greater. Well, he's been part of the crowd that's been cutting the Governor's Opportunity Fund, and cutting the Virginia Economic Development Partnership's funding," Wagner said.

Nothing could be further from the truth:

• In 2007, Lieutenant Governor Bolling joined with Governor Kaine in calling for an increase of $5M in the Governor's Opportunity Fund.
• In 2007, Lieutenant Governor Bolling proposed legislation to expand access to the Fund to small businesses locating in economically depressed regions of our state.  As a result, we have already created 350 new jobs and $125M in capital investment in rural communities.
• In 2009, when Governor Kaine proposed increasing the Fund by $5M, Lieutenant Governor Bolling called for an increase of $10M.
• In 2009, when the Kaine administration proposed reducing funding for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Virginia Tourism Council, Bill Bolling called for a restoration of that funding because he understands the importance of these programs to creating jobs in Virginia.

Wagner's dishonesty was even called out by the democrat-leaning Augusta Free Press, which stated, "It is not accurate for her to say that [Bolling] has only recently come to realize that there is a need in the Governor's Opportunity Fund."

Wagner Lies about Teacher Salaries

Wagner has claimed Bill Bolling supports funding cuts to education and that he opposes increases in teacher salaries to the national average.

On her website Wagner says "Lt. Governor Bill Bolling has consistently voted against . . .  bills to raise teacher pay in Virginia to the national average."  Wagner cited SB 1285 in 2004 to support her claim that Bolling voted against raising the teacher pay to the national average.

Unfortunately for Jody Wagner, there was no SB 1285 in 2004.  There was a SB 1285 in 2005, sponsored by Senator Whipple, to increase teacher pay to the national average, which Bill Bolling voted for both in committee and on the Senate floor.  Bolling also voted for SB 1171 in 2003 to raise teacher pay to the national average and has never voted against raising teacher pay. 

 

Additionally, Bolling has proposed dedicating an additional $484M annually to classroom from the central office to pay for higher teacher salaries among other items. Wagner opposes this plan and has no plan to increase teacher pay.

When it comes to teacher pay, Bolling has voted to raise teacher pay at every opportunity.  Even the VEA acknowledges this, but Wagner continues to repeat the lie, citing a vote on a bill that doesn't even exist.