Raising Taxes
As Governor, Jeanne Shaheen created New Hampshire's first statewide property tax, and also proposed a sales tax.
FIRST
She said...
In 1994, Jeanne Shaheen said, "I have never supported, nor do I intend to support broad-base taxes." 1
She pledged...
In 1996, the Boston Globe reported that, "And in a move usually associated with Republicans in this state, Shaheen has pledged she will not support a general sales or income tax." 2
She guaranteed...
In 1998, the Union Leader reported, "Four times, Shaheen pledged and guaranteed to veto any 'new' broad-based tax." 3
She even put it in writing...
Shaheen's 1998 Web site also stated, "Jeanne Shaheen will veto a broad-based sales, income or statewide property tax." 4
THEN
She Equivocated...
In December 1998, the Associated Press reported, "[Shaheen's legal counsel Judy] Reardon points out Shaheen never promised to veto all new taxes and believes the property tax should be part of the solution. Though Shaheen is pledged to veto a statewide property tax, it may be possible to restructure the tax to make it acceptable, Reardon said without elaborating." 5
She Flipped...
In February 1999, the Union Leader quoted Shaheen at a press conference talking about a solution to the school funding crisis, "I think it is very difficult, if not impossible, to get to the amount that is going to be required without including the (statewide) property tax in some way," Shaheen said. 6
She Flopped...
"'You can't get to $700 million or $800 million or $900 million or whatever the total amount is, without being able to use the property tax or some broad based tax,' the governor told reporters.'" 7
In April 1999, Shaheen signed a statewide property tax -- the first broad based tax in New Hampshire. 8
In 2000, Shaheen told voters that although she'd previously promised to "veto any broad based tax" "...this year, I can't make that same promise, whatever the political price." 9
In 2001, responding to a question about the Bush tax cuts on CNN, Shaheen responded, "I think, I certainly support a tax cut." 10
But, as Governor of New Hampshire, Shaheen had proposed to raise several taxes. 11
Shaheen had even proposed a 2.5 percent sales tax:
In 2001, the Union Leader reported, "Gov. Jeanne Shaheen proposed a tax reform package to fund education yesterday that includes a new 2.5 percent sales tax and a 26 percent cut in the statewide property tax." 12
Sources:
1 Tracy Manforte, "Republican Candidates Pledge Tax Opposition At Dover Tour," Union Leader, Oct. 26, 1994 [PDF]
2 Royal Ford, "GOP Praise Fades As Shaheen Gains In N.H. Governor's Race," Boston Globe, Sept. 29, 1996 [PDF]
3 John DiStaso, "Lucas Again Hits Governor; Shaheen Repeats Tax Veto Pledge," Union Leader, Oct. 30, 1998 [PDF]
4 Jeanne Shaheen for Governor of New Hampshire, www.shaheen.org as of Nov. 11, 1998, Accessed through www.archive.org on Jan. 3, 2008 [PDF]
5 Norma Love, "Has Shaheen's Pledge Put Her In A Box," Associated Press, Dec. 19, 1998 [PDF]
6 John Toole, "Shaheen 'Pledge' Comment Slammed, Defended," Union Leader, Feb. 5, 1999 [PDF]
7 John Toole, "Shaheen 'Pledge' Comment Slammed, Defended," Union Leader, Feb. 5, 1999 [PDF]
8 John DiStaso, "School Crisis Over; Tax Fight Isn't. Portsmouth Mayor Threatens Suit," Union Leader, April 30, 1999 [PDF]
9 John Toole, '"No Pledge,' Shaheen Says," Union Leader, May 31, 2000 [PDF]
10 CNN's Inside Politics, "President Bush Prepares To Unveil His Budget In Prime Time; Democrats Searching For A Way To Broadcast Their Message," Feb. 26, 2001 [PDF]
11 Holly Ramer, "Taxpayers Could Be Asked To Keep Cash Flowing To Schools After April 1," Associated Press, March 12, 1999 [PDF]; John DiStaso, "4.5 Percent Capital Gains Tax Proposed By Shaheen. Revenue Chief Says Time Is Running Short In School Aid Debate," Union Leader, Oct. 20, 1999 [PDF]; Tom Fahey, "Shaheen Says Sales Tax Impact Will Be Minimal," Union Leader, Feb. 8, 2001 [PDF]
12 Tom Fahey, "Shaheen Says Sales Tax Impact Will Be Minimal," Union Leader, Feb. 8, 2001 [PDF]
|