David Dewhurst on Tax Reform

State income tax would pass over my dead, cold body

The moderator noted that the state budget has increased substantially during Dewhurst's tenure. Dewhurst came right back with: "I cut state spending," he said, adding that he made clear a state income tax would pass "over my dead, cold body." (Not having a state income tax has no bearing on whether the state budget increased under his watch).

I favor a fairer and flatter tax

Dewhurst: I think everyone on stage can give a good speech and say roughly the same thing. [Can he] say he's actually done it.

Passed the largest tax cut in Texas history

Proven Record
• David balanced every budget since taking office without raising taxes
• David cut $14 billion in state spending from the current budget
• David passed the largest tax cut in Texas history
• David passed a tax cut for 40,000 small business owners
• David protected $6 billion dollars for our state's Rainy Day Fund

Supports the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.

[The ATR, Americans for Tax Reform, run by conservative lobbyist Grover Norquist, ask legislators to sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge in each election cycle. Their self-description:]

In the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, candidates and incumbents solemnly bind themselves to oppose any and all tax increases. Since its rollout in 1986, the pledge has become de rigeur for Republicans seeking office, and is a necessity for Democrats running in Republican districts. Today the Taxpayer Protection Pledge is offered to every candidate for state office and to all incumbents. More than 1,100 state officeholders, from state representative to governor, have signed the Pledge.

The Taxpayer Protection Pledge: "I pledge to the taxpayers of my district and to the American people that I will: ONE, oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rate for individuals and business; and TWO, oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates."

Opponents' Opinion (from wikipedia.com):In Nov. 2011, Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) claimed that Congressional Republicans "are being led like puppets by Grover Norquist. They're giving speeches that we should compromise on our deficit, but never do they compromise on Grover Norquist. He is their leader." Since Norquist's pledge binds signatories to opposing deficit reduction agreements that include any element of increased tax revenue, some Republican deficit hawks now retired from office have stated that Norquist has become an obstacle to deficit reduction. Former Republican Senator Alan Simpson, co-chairman of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, has been particularly critical, describing Norquist's position as "no taxes, under any situation, even if your country goes to hell."