Sanders Going Up On T.V.

VTGOP TO SANDERS: SHOW US THE MONEY!


In a release today, Vermont Republican Party Chairman Jim Barnett today insisted that Congressman Bernard Sanders reveal where the balance of his $30,000 media buy was spent.

Sanders claims in today’s Bennington Banner that he has purchased $30,000 in airtime for his first run of television ads. However, public records indicate that Sanders paid only $13,668 for a $16,080 ad buy on WCAX.

Still unanswered is where the remaining $16,332 of the $30,000 buy was spent. Federal law requires immediate public disclosure for television and radio advertising for political candidates.

“Right now, there is a $16,000 gap in the facts,” said Barnett. “Congressman Sanders needs to explain where the rest of this money was spent.”

The 15 percent difference between $13,668 and $16,080 is the industry standard for commission to the media buyer. In this case, Sanders admits his wife, Jane, made the buy, but he claims it was on a volunteer basis.

However, during Sanders' 2002 and 2004 campaigns, Jane Sanders earned tens of thousands of dollars in commissions for similar ad buys, according to press reports.

GOP to Endorse Rainville Ahead of Straw Poll

As reported in the Burlington Free Press this morning, the Vermont delegates to the Republican National Committee have endorsed Martha Rainville in her bid for U.S. Congress. Rainville has a primary against State Senator Mark Shepard of Bennington.

Here's a link to the Burlington Free Press article:

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060406/NEWS01/604060313/1009

But the reports of discontent within the ranks of the GOP are coming fast and furious. Members of the Executive Committee have publicly chastised Chairman Barnett for the move. Here's a copy of Jay Shepard's letter to Barnett:


Dear Chairman Barnett

I am very disappointed that you and our RNC delegation chose to make such an unprecedented move in calling for our party leadership to endorse Martha Rainville prior to our party's primary. It is more troubling that this move occurred prior to our first ever straw poll convention that was designed to show where our state committee stand on our statewide candidates.

As an elected member of the VTGOP executive committee it is equally distressing that you chose not to consult the executive committee at our recent meeting. This action is so dramatic that I would expect that it be discussed before the Executive Committee. I think it shows a complete lack of respect for the party structure and the executive committee members.

As you know I am supporting Martha Rainville for U.S. Congress but feel that Senator Mark Shepard is a viable and qualified candidate for Congress and is the only previously elected Republican in the race.

I feel it is required of my position as the elected Member -at-Large on the Executive committee to represent the feelings of many members of the state rank and file. The feedback that I am receiving reflects my own feeling on this matter.

I feel you have served us well in the past but have not done so in the matter. This decision will not reflect well on the character of our party and it's members.

Jay Shepard
Republican

Vermont Highest Taxed State in New England

New Hampshire leads New England with lowest per person tax; Vermont Highest

By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER (AP)NH Union Leader, April 1, 2006

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=New+Hampshire+leads+New+England+with+lowest+per+person+tax&articleId=d228bd07-52fe-418c-b694-a95835ca80fb

Washington, D.C. – State tax receipts jumped nearly 10 percent last year as a strong national economy increased individual earnings and corporate profits.Most states showed increases without raising tax rates, meaning the gains were caused primarily by an expanding economy, said Corina Eckl, fiscal program director for the National Conference of State Legislatures.“It’s absolutely attributable to an improving national economy,” Eckl said. “Very few, very modest tax changes happened last year.”Nationally, states collected a total of $649 billion in taxes in the 2005 budget year, which ended in June for most states, according to a report Thursday by the Census Bureau.That’s $2,192 per person.The numbers include only taxes collected by states. They do not include federal or local taxes, which can greatly increase a person’s taxes.California collected the most money, more than $98 billion.Vermont collected the most per person, $3,600.South Dakota collected the least overall, at a little more than $1 billion, and the least per person, $1,430.In northern New England, collections grew from $1.77 billion to $2.4 billion in Vermont; $2.87 billion to $3.1 billion in Maine; and $2 billion to $2.2 billion in New Hampshire.New Hampshire had the region’s lowest taxes per person at $1,544, followed by Maine at $2,323. Vermont’s per-capita taxes of $3,600 topped Massachusetts and Connecticut, which were $2,815 and $3,300 respectfully.Overall, states get nearly half their tax revenue from sales taxes, which went up 6 percent from 2004 to 2005. Individual income taxes increased by nearly 13 percent, and corporate income taxes shot up 28 percent. However, corporate taxes account for little state revenue, about 6 percent, nationally.“Individual income taxes are the big driver,” said Chris Edwards, director of tax policy at the Cato Institute, a Washington think tank. “The stock market is up and people are earning more money.”Eckl said states also were helped by a two-year, $20 billion package of federal aid to states approved in 2003. The money helped states overcome budget shortfalls stemming from the economic downturn earlier in the decade, she said.Eckl said most state budgets have recovered after several years of budget shortfalls. States across the country had to cut programs, increase tax rates and scramble for quick budget fixes after the national economy slumped earlier in the decade.Today, many states are expanding programs, putting money away for later or considering tax cuts, Eckl said.Every state but Vermont has a constitutional requirement to balance its budget, which leads many states to save money as insurance against future downturns.All states collected more taxes in 2005 than they did in 2004. And every state but one collected more per person. The remaining state, New Hampshire, collected the same both years, $1,544.Nationally, changes in state tax laws accounted for less than 1 percent of increased tax revenue, said Bert Waisanen, a fiscal analyst at the National Conference of State Legislatures.

More information: Census Bureau, state tax collections