Selected to go first by random draw was independent candidate Carol Hagan. She used her time to discuss a main topic for her campaign – a plan that would institute a flat rate income tax.
“I’ve written a tax plan which would repeal all 61 of the Alabama state and local taxes,” said Hagan. “This would not be a tax increase, but would let us know exactly how much we are paying in taxes. We wouldn’t have to pay taxes on anything other than what we’ve earned. It would encourage businesses to come to Alabama because there would be no hidden taxes to cause the price of their goods and services to be too high. Local government would automatically have home rule with my plan.”
Her tax plan is available to view at www.carolhagan.com.
Hagan then talked about rewriting Alabama’s Constitution. She said that by letting the already elected state legislature rewrite one section or subject at a time, then letting the people vote on each section, everyone one would know that is being accepted or rejected.
“Of course, I believe that the first part that should be rewritten is the section on taxes,” said Hagan. “Once we get that part right, the rest will fall into place much easier.”
Ricky Whaley, the Democratic candidate, hit on the two issues he says are going to dominate the future of the town: jobs and education.
“We fund education mainly by two ways: state sales taxes and state income taxes. And you can be sure those tax dollars go to K-12 and higher education,” said Whaley. “There has been some fuss about paying taxes that way, but the truth is, we support our schools and we know what that money is paid for. Revenue is down because of the recession, and Jacksonville State has been cut from 2008 from $49 million to $37 million, a 25 percent cut. Jacksonville City Schools were cut about a million dollars in state funding last year, a 14 percent cut. This is not cutting the fat, this is cutting the bone. JSU is the district’s largest employer. When JSU is cut everyone bleeds.”
Whaley says that by closing loop holes that allow major corporations to get out of not paying Alabama sales tax, it would generate $500 million for the state’s economy.
“Let me be clear, I will never ask you, the hard working people of this district, to pay one more dime in taxes,” said Whaley. “Yet, any candidate who doesn’t talk about this issue of funding and finding solutions to the funding problem is not serious about the issues.”
On the subject of jobs, Whaley said that we need to work with the Alabama Development Office and the AIDT.
“The Alabama Development Office is the office we would need to contact on a day to day basis to make sure they know what jobs are available in our area and what jobs are looking to come into Alabama.”
Whaley also said he would eliminate the sales tax on groceries.
“The question then becomes how to fill the around $400 million hole,” said Whaley. “And closing the corporate loop holes is one way to go about that.”
Whaley says he is also for limiting, regulating and taxing existing gambling in Alabama in order to help fund education.
Republican candidate, K.L. Brown, explained the problems the district faces and his possible solutions.
“I spoke to many small business owners, who want to hire employees, but they are afraid of what is coming down from Washington regarding health care and government mandates, that most of the time come down without any government funding,” said Brown. “I share their concerns as a small businessman. When I go to Montgomery, I will seek out every state organization available that will work with our local officials and chamber of commerce to bring new jobs to this district. We have to get our 11 percent unemployment down.”
Brown said he is also for removing sales tax on groceries, but says that it you just cannot take it away without planning on how to replace that money.
“It has been recommended that we keep the sales tax, but allow families living under the poverty line to be given tax credits for each member of their household,” said Brown. “This solution would give relief where it is needed most and still allow us to collect sales tax from others to include vacationers from the Gulf Coast as well as snow birds that come down from the north to live in Alabama during the colder months of the year. This solution would drop the $365 million loss considerably, and still allow working middle class families to keep their federal income tax deductions on their state returns.”
On the topic of education funding, Brown said that we have to look for ways to fund education that are not tied to sales and income tax.
“Ethics reform is another issue near and dear to many in our state,” said Brown. “We need to pass legislation that will give the Alabama Ethics Commission subpoena power to question witnesses and examine records of corrupt public officials. We also need to stop PAC to PAC transfers and limit considerably what lobbyists can spend on guest and entertaining legislators.”
When it comes to gambling, Brown said that he is opposed to any form of gambling or lottery in Alabama.
“I always believed that gambling hurts those less fortunate than we, and for many, it becomes an addiction just like alcoholism,” said Brown. “There is also a criminal element associated with gambling along with organized crime. What does it say to our grandchildren and children that we have to allow gambling to fund our state budgets? That being said, if the people of this district convince me that they want to vote on this issue, then I would very reluctant go with the will of the people on voting on then issue of gambling.”
Now after all that has been said, today Jacksonville residents will have their say. The voting area for Jacksonville is divided into four quadrants, each with its own voting site. According to Jacksonville’s City Clerk, Dot Wilson, citizens are encouraged to vote in their area and if they have questions on where to vote, they can call the Board of Registrars at 241-2930.
The polling will take place at:
• The Boy and Girls’ Club
• West Side Baptist Church’s Fellowship Hall
• Jacksonville’s First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall
• Eagle Point Church (formerly The Barn)
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Wilson says that if voters have any problems, polling officials and inspectors will be on site to provide answers.
Post a Comment