TAX NEWS - June 2010
Rhode Island Tax: GOP gubernatorial candidate Victor Moffitt
Moffitt, a tax accountant who served in the General Assembly from 2002 to 2008, describes himself as a fiscal conservative who has three critical qualities in greater measure than any of his gubernatorial rivals: a strong financial background, an ability to work with state lawmakers and an ability to work with unions. Moffitt lives in Coventry. He and his wife, Bertha, have four children.
Here is a transcript of the chat:
Victor Moffitt: Hi I'm Victor Moffitt a common senses fiscal conservative. I am running for Governor because I believe in less government and lower taxes. I have a strong background in finance...38 years in taxes and investments in my two successful small businesses. I also have experience in working with the General Assembly as I was elected three times as State Rep from Coventry and served on the House Finance committee and Veteran Affairs committee. I am ready for your questions....
Mike: What's your plan for creating jobs in Rhode Island?
Victor Moffitt: Mike, Thanks for the questions. My jobs programs consists of CREATE and PRESERVE. We need to create new jobs while preserving our current jobs. My plans to reduce RI sales taxes to 5% will create new retail jobs and have more Rhode Islanders who currently work in MA and CT work in the Ocean State. With a reduced sales tax we would increase volume and create new jobs. I also want to build a world class Oceans Aquarium and possibly a Science Museum here in Rhode Island to create more new jobs and increase tourism. Hotels, restaurants, etc would also be included in the Aquarium project. The Aquarium and Science Museum would both be non profit corporations.
Pamela: You're a Republican, but you also say you're a Tea Party member. Does it worry you that to many, the Tea Party movement has a negative connotation? What platforms of that movement do you agree with?
Victor Moffitt: Pamela, Great question. I do associate myself as a tea party member. The basic platform of tea parties is less government and lower taxes. Most are strong supporters of the US Constitution, which I firmly believe in and totally support.
Lobsterman: From what I can tell, Republican governors in R.I. have a lot of trouble selling their ideas -- no matter how good -- to our Democrat-controlled General Assembly. You seem to have some good ideas (I like your thoughts on reducing the sales tax), but how would you convince the General Assembly to go along with it?
Victor Moffitt: Lobsterman, Thanks for your question. My six years experience as a State Rep and working on six budgets I have a proven bi-partisan track record to working with both parties for the best interest of the people. Good legislation is more important to be approved than who gets the credit. I am a getting things done type of guy without the ego. Many good Republican ideas end up as Democratic bills. I would work with the Speaker to FIX Rhode Island NOW. I would convince legislators that my plans make good financial sense by proving details and financial data to back up my proposals. I would not by a CEO type Governor but a humble yet persistent advocate for Rhode Island taxpayers.
John Ryan: Victor I heard the aquarium project that you are proposing will also have a fish farm to rebuild Rhode Island's fishing industry that has been decimated by federal regulations on fishing. We have hundreds of miles of unused ocean that can be used for this new industry. Will you meet with anyone from URI to discuss this project further?
Victor Moffitt: John, good question. Utilizing the Aquarium project for other important functions such as developing fish farming are a great match. Fish farming could help our RI fishing industry and increase our recreational and commercial fishing businesses. Students at local universities could also intern especially URI..
Kara: Do you support this new car excise tax, that will cost an extra $500 per car per year for people in Providence?
Victor Moffitt: Kara, this new car tax proposal is an end run to transfer tax burden over to car owners. In Providence auto taxes are already very high. For example additional $6,000 in value could results in an additional $500 of taxes. The General Assembly should live up to their promise to phase out car taxes...again our elected representatives and senators another promise made and promise broken....time to clean out the barn and elect some new people who tell the truth and keep their promises.
steve: hello sir besides lowering the sales tax" how would you raise revenue" and also I'm not opposed to the 1% tax on certain items" are you??
Victor Moffitt: Steve, when you reduce sales taxes you increase volume, but we also would create a competitive advantage over neighboring States who would come here and purchase items from us. Retailers would have more volume, more profits and pay additional corporate taxes. Rhode Islanders would work here in the Ocean State instead of MA or CT and therefore pay income to our State instead of some other State. Several studies have already been made to prove my data that reducing sales taxes actually will increase total revenue to the State.
bobt: Do you support the Arizona Illegal Immigration law and E-Verify?
Victor Moffitt: bobt, I fully support E-verify and the right for States to make laws protecting jobs and illegal immigration when the federal government doesn't do their job. I support most of Arizona law except penalizing 1st time small businesses with a 10 day suspension of business for a mistake when they even followed E-verify program. I am a strong supporter of 10th amendment rights to the States.
Maddy: Please talk about legislation you sponsored when you were in the House.
Victor Moffitt: Maddy, that's for the question. During my six years as a State Rep I submitted many bills to reduce taxes, including reducing sales taxes to 5%. I put in several bills to benefit Veterans to eliminate taxation on military pensions, create a cabinet level Dept of Veteran Affairs under the Governor. I suggested study commission to review the Big River Reservoir project. Land taken in 1963 to build a reservoir that was never completed. Supported separation of powers that passed and was approved by the voters. Most of my bills were for less government and lower taxes.
Rosa: Hi Mr. Moffitt. I was very impressed with you on the channel 12 debate a few days ago. I believe you won the debate and maybe my vote. In Providence David Cicilline has built several schools on former superfund toxic sites. Do you oppose inner city schools being built on former dump sites?
Victor Moffitt: Rosa, I actually submitted legislation to prevent this and other educational ideas that could have improved education in Rhode Island
johnstonvoter: Do you believe President Obama is a socialist?
Victor Moffitt: johnstonvoter, what else could you call him...
steve: hello" i like your ideas and i hope you win" voters have had enough of a state that is controlled soley by the democrats i feel the independents and republican will win big in november"
Herbster: What will you do differently from the usual perennial Democrats who keep running for different offices.
Victor Moffitt: Herbster, term limits could solve that problem...but I doubt the Democrats controlled General Assembly would ever approve such a thing....
rosa: Thank you, you just won my vote!
johnstonvoter: In regards to your idea involving a world class aquarium, couldn't RI also try to increase such events like UFC fights, sporting events, and major conventions? Wouldn't an increase in large events that would bring outside money in be considered a serious idea in these times?
Victor Moffitt: johnstonvoter, all tourism is great other people's money spent in Rhode Island....the more they spend the less we spend. Rhode Island is a great resorts destination.....the more things people and families can do here the longer they will vacation here and SPEND MONEY!
cb: whats victors plan on increasing consumer spending, which is about the only thing that will stimulate the economy..
Victor Moffitt: cb, excellent question...the best way to increase consumer spending is to reduce consumer taxes. We should make our own decision where we want to spend our hard earned money. The government makes too many decisions for us on where our money should be spent.
laura: can you also address how many of the bills that you sponsored actually passed and, along those lines, how, as governor, you have the ability to actually work with the legislature to accomplish change in RI?
Victor Moffitt: laura, good question,,,all Republicans have the same problem...great ideas but the Speaker controls what goes to committee and what eventually get to the House floors and gets approved. Republicans get the crumbs. I co-sponsored many bills with Democrats that were approved. The movie tax credit bill brought in many jobs into the Ocean State, helps build the art. and created a new movie industry. I was well respected by my bi-partisan approach to getting good legislation passed and leaving my ego home.
jt87: Mr. Moffitt, when you are governor, could I be Director of Shark Services for your aquarium.
KJDonovan: Victor, in some states (California comes to mind) voter initiative has become an effective tool for tax payers to initiate legislation that their legislators do not have the will and/or spine to implement. I can think of several key issues that were effectively squashed on Smith Hill this year because the majority in the State legislature chose to ignore the wishes of the people and cater to special interests instead. Do you believe voter initiative is a good tool and would you support it?
Victor Moffitt: I totally support voter initiative...but don't hold your breathe...the democratic controlled General Assembly will never allow Rhode Island votersto have voter initiative powers. They want complete control.
soupyq: I would just like to say that I've called you before regarding a problem I had during the sewer construction project on Rte 117 and you seemed to really care and were very personable. We need people like you who really care about our state. I think you would be a breath of fresh air for RI !!!
Bob Burns: Re: your plan to regionalize our education system into 4 vs 36 districts, it certainly would be an up hill battle, but one worth considering. How do you intend to gain sufficient support to accomplish this task and how much $$s do you anticipate saving with this plan
Victor Moffitt: Bob Burns...excellent question. Regionalizing into four school districts will save money, lower taxes and improve the overall quality of education in Rhode Island. I support a separate school tax not part of local property taxes. Wouldn't it be great only 4 teacher contracts instead of 36!
Pond View: Do you favor casino gambling
Victor Moffitt: Pond View, thanks for the question. I do not personally support expanding gambling. However, I am concerned of MA casino will take a large portion of gambling revenue away from us. I would prefer to concentrate on bringing good paying manufacturing and of service and hi-tech jobs into the Ocean State. I have seen first hand in my tax practice what gambling has done for many Rhode Islanders...it has brought bankruptcy, divorce, etc. But I think the voters of Rhode Island deserve one more time to voice their opinion on expansion of gambling.
cb: get rid of the unions
KJDonovan: I have to get back to work now, but you definitely have my vote!
Ann: I heard that John Robitaille has taken money from the wind turbine industry suppliers? I was at the hearing on deep water last week and former Attorney General O'Neil said Carcieri's legal council now works for the wind industry as well as Andrew Dzykewicz the former energy chief for Carcieri. Isn't that a conflict of interest indebting our state to 700 million in disclosed costs and another billion in undisclosed costs to redesign the grid that cannot take the energy these turbines produce? Have you sought any investigation into this issue?
Victor Moffitt: Ann...thanks you for the question on Wind power...this is one issue me and my opponent differ on. I support alternative energy that makes financial sense. Wind power will cost ratepayers 5 times more than current energy. I don't want taxpayer to support private business...especially ONE...We should pass any legislation that names one specific business aka Deepwater Wind.....whatever happened to competitive bidding. I would love to manufacture wind products here in Rhode Island however. This pilot program project is a bad idea until be have more of the facts and financial statements to back up their proposal. Many groups are against this project also and I support them in their endeavors. I don't like negative campaigning...so you can check out John's campaign contributions and make your own press release....I would like a full investigation of why we need fast track for this proposal for one company and if there is any conflicts of interest.
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