For Immediate Release
Contact Jack Lindley
802-272-6963

Statement by VT Republican Party Chair Regarding IRS Targeting Conservative Groups

“It is truly concerning to hear of the inappropriate politicalization of the IRS and the intentional targeting of conservative groups. The IRS apologized for their actions and said it wasn’t ‘politically motivated’, but to say this was not politically motivated is disingenuous, to say the least”; said Republican Party Chair, Jack Lindley.

“This follows a pattern of intimidation and bullying tactics consistent with how the current administration pushes their ideology on to what are supposed to be impartial government agencies.

It is equally concerning to find out our own U.S. Congressman Peter Welch sent a letter to the IRS encouraging extra scrutiny of these conservative groups. This letter shows poor judgement and could be seen as condoning highly inappropriate and possibly illegal activity.This is very serious, and it should be treated seriously.”

####

Vote Explanation – H.510
Mr. Speaker,

As we are all aware our transportation infrastructure is the heart and soul of our economy and our State. We should not neglect it nor should we short change our other obligations to pay for it.

I appreciate the hard work of the Transportation Committee, they have worked long and hard, many hours in offering this amendment this morning.

However I cannot support this bill because I cannot support some of the choices to fund this bill. Many of my constituents and over 13000 other Vermonters have expressed their opposition to the increase in the gas tax and now the diesel tax.

Working Vermonters again will be the brunt of this choice to raise the gas and diesel taxes. Our small businesses along the NH and MA borders are already at a significant disadvantage and this will make it worse.

Being the voice of opposition doesn’t mean that I am the voice of “NO”. It obligates me to bring legitimate alternatives or choices to the debate.

I feel that we have done this during the debate on this bill. For that I want to thank my caucus for their efforts, the agency and their employees for their work, the committee and the member from Colchester who chairs the committee and especially all of the members of this body for their understanding of this process and for your thoughtful and respectful debate.

Thank you.

Rep. Brian Savage
Seat # 111

GOP Reaction to the Gas Tax

Today Vermonters are not celebrating the 6 cent rise in the gas tax. Governor Shumlin and his Democrat controlled legislature have increased a tax on those least able to afford higher taxes, the low income hard working families of Vermont.

Lindley said; “ I am shocked that the Governor and the legislature have increased one of the most regressive taxes they could without seriously considering a reform of the money that is raided from the Transportation Fund, and looking seriously at reducing the size of the Dept. of Transportation.
Jim Douglas worked hard to give Vermonters real reform, but this Governor only knows how to tax his way out of a problem on the backs of people who can least afford it.”

The call is clear and Vermonters have a real choice to elect reform minded Republicans that will stand with the 20,000 Vermonters who signed the petitions requesting that there be no increase in the gas tax
as signed by the Governor.

This is a real wake up call to those that had hopes that an overwhelming majority legislator run by the democrats can be fair to working Vermonters.

Vermonters will remember in November who the real party of reform is.

####