State GOP Challenges Democratic Party of Arkansas on Taxes
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: August 8, 2012
Today, the Republican Party of Arkansas (RPA) issued a challenge to the Democratic Party of Arkansas: Stop lying about the Republicans' tax reform plan and come clean to the people of Arkansas about why Democrats think cutting taxes on the middle class is not a good idea.
"The Democratic Party of Arkansas continues to lie in order to distract from the fact they have no plan to lower taxes on the middle class," said RPA Communications Director Katherine Vasilos. "The question voters need answered is why Arkansas Democrats consider someone making $33,000 per year 'rich,' and have to pay the state's highest income tax rate?"
Under the current state Democratic Party platform, there is no mention of any income tax relief or plan to protect the middle class from paying the highest tax rate in the state.
"Clearly, the 'brighter future' Arkansas Democrats like to speak of includes a massive tax increase on Arkansans through Obamacare and no tax relief for the middle class," Vasilos continued. "It appears Democrats are satisfied with maintaining the status quo of an unfair tax system that punishes the middle class to pay for their continuous expansion of state government.
"Arkansas Republicans are proud to have a party platform and legislative policy plan that provides bold, conservative reform to enhance the quality of life for all Arkansans without raising taxes."
Candace Martin, Communications Director at Democratic Party of Arkansas, responded to the remarks via Twitter, posting "Clearly you refuse to answer why you intend to raise taxes except for the wealthiest of Arkansans."
Martin then issued the following formal response:
"Arkansas Republicans refused to answer questions surrounding their plan on replacing the income tax with 'a more equitable tax system'. Already, there is one plan by a Republican lawmaker to reduce the income tax by raising the state sales tax to a staggering nine percent, which is not in the best interest of Arkansas families."
"The Democratic Party of Arkansas continues to lie in order to distract from the fact they have no plan to lower taxes on the middle class," said RPA Communications Director Katherine Vasilos. "The question voters need answered is why Arkansas Democrats consider someone making $33,000 per year 'rich,' and have to pay the state's highest income tax rate?"
Under the current state Democratic Party platform, there is no mention of any income tax relief or plan to protect the middle class from paying the highest tax rate in the state.
"Clearly, the 'brighter future' Arkansas Democrats like to speak of includes a massive tax increase on Arkansans through Obamacare and no tax relief for the middle class," Vasilos continued. "It appears Democrats are satisfied with maintaining the status quo of an unfair tax system that punishes the middle class to pay for their continuous expansion of state government.
"Arkansas Republicans are proud to have a party platform and legislative policy plan that provides bold, conservative reform to enhance the quality of life for all Arkansans without raising taxes."
Candace Martin, Communications Director at Democratic Party of Arkansas, responded to the remarks via Twitter, posting "Clearly you refuse to answer why you intend to raise taxes except for the wealthiest of Arkansans."
Martin then issued the following formal response:
"Arkansas Republicans refused to answer questions surrounding their plan on replacing the income tax with 'a more equitable tax system'. Already, there is one plan by a Republican lawmaker to reduce the income tax by raising the state sales tax to a staggering nine percent, which is not in the best interest of Arkansas families."
