Politicians seem to forget that every dollar government spends was first earned by one of us. When times are good and revenues are high, they spend like there is no tomorrow. That is exactly what happened here in Georgia in the 1990s when state government spending grew almost three times as fast as our population.
I have fought to eliminate wasteful spending and reduce taxes and I led the effort to pass zero based budgeting so that every dollar of government spending is justified.
I support a cut in the premium tax, which will not only cut the insurance premiums we all pay but encourage more insurance companies to locate here in Georgia, with good paying jobs that do not pollute the environment.
To make ourselves competitive with Florida and other states without an income tax, I support the phased elimination of the income tax. I sponsored a constitutional amendment to prevent an increase in the maximum income tax rate, effectively capping it. I believe that passage of this measure by the people of this state is a first step to end income taxation in Georgia.
As a matter of principle, I believe that government revenue should be raised from taxing consumption, not productivity. I support the Fair Tax proposed by Congressman John Linder.
When times are tough, I believe that government should cut spending, not raise taxes. I support a constitutional amendment that would require voter approval of any future tax increase.