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Saxman sets 2008 agenda
BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER
 | | Del. Chris Saxman told members of Highland's Republican committee that cutting costs and reducing unfunded mandates in Richmond would help lower taxes in Highland County. (Recorder photo by James Jacenich) |
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MONTEREY - Del. Chris Saxman, 20th district, was guest speaker at a meeting of Highland Republicans in the Carlisle Room of the Mountain Hideaway Tuesday.
"We are trying to get back on the winning track," said Saxman. "We have stemmed the tide in the last election."
Republicans lost control of the state house in the November general election.
"We lost the senate majority; that's unfortunate," Saxman said. "We lost four seats by 3,000 votes. That shows every vote counts."
The general session is coming up in January. Saxman decided to pull his name from consideration for a run for U.S. Senate next year because he will not have time to campaign and raise money before the primary in June.
Saxman said the abusive driver fees legislation proved unpopular but, "We have seen some benefits. Reckless driving is down 20 percent." The intent was for people to drive in a reasonable fashion, he said. The governor exempted out-of-state drivers. That was not a Republican idea, said Saxman.
Saxman, a member of the state cost-cutting caucus, says the state could save $250 million, which equals the shortfall the state experienced this year.
David Kiser of Blue Grass asked what the state intended to do about truck transportation, especially along Interstate 81. Saxman said as the cost of fuel increases, rail freight becomes more competitive. Saxman supports allowing market forces to work to solve transportation problems along the crowded corridor.
Dave Smith of McDowell spoke in support of some form of homestead act as a way to reduce the tax burden on farmers. A constitutional amendment permitting a homestead exemption is working its way through the legislature. It has to go through two general assemblies with an intervening general election before becoming law. It has been passed once by the general assembly.
"The homestead exemption creates an opportunity and some problems," said Saxman. "It creates pressure somewhere else. Spending commitments beget taxes. They have to be considered. Keeping tax rates lower by not putting unfunded mandates on localities is one solution. We (Sen. Emmett Hanger and Saxman) took pressure off Highland County schools by yoking the school's composite index to that of Augusta County.
"I'd like to give more flexibility to localities," he said. "Tell us what the standards are and we will try to meet it, but don't mandate for Highland County what is good for Virginia Beach."
Don Ferrell of Monterey said the lower and middle-class won't be able to own property if taxes keep going up.
Smith said estate taxes made it difficult to pass property onto one's children, especially when the increase in property values was factored in.
Saxman said one of the reasons he entered politics was to work on issues like the estate tax. "Dad and I talked about a month ago," he said. "The estate tax still exists. It puts pressure on us not to grow. The inheritance tax benefits large business, but you will lose more farms. It mystifies me. That is one of the reasons I do this job."
Saxman said the Republican party was more in tune with what Americans want than the Democratic party. "When you talk about what matters, our principles are better than the other team's. Health insurance, gas prices, transportation, education - what is important to you? Let's find a way to fix it.
"Issues matter more than personalities. We've gotten so personal in our politics."
Saxman is honorary chairman of the Virginia GOPAC, a political action committee devoted to raising money to elect Republicans to office. "We are raising money to get the right candidates at the right time in the right manner," said Saxman.
Saxman supports offshore natural gas reserves exploration in Virginia. He said offshore natural gas facilities do not pose an environmental danger. In fact, he says, fish congregate near gas facilities (floating ships) making them popular tourist attractions. He said offshore exploration would bring more jobs and lower energy costs to Virginia. "We should be looking at supply and demand to bring down cost overall.
"Politics in this nation is driven by fear," said Saxman. "We need more refineries in this nation. We can increase our conservation. A lot of people in politics don't want that to happen. They are scaring people about environmental disasters to raise money for themselves.
"We can't be at the whims and discretion of our foreign adversaries," he added.
Saxman supports Sen. John McCain for President and circulated a petition to get him on the primary ballot next year.
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