Asa! disputes Beebe's new ads (UPDATE)
Republican gubernatorial candidate Asa Hutchinson is already attacking Mike Beebe's new campaign advertisement, which hit the airwaves this morning.
Hutchinson challenged Beebe’s promise in the ad to eliminate the sales tax on groceries.
"Mike Beebe is a classic tax-and-spend politician trying to re-invent himself as a tax-cutter during an election year, which simply strains all credibility," Hutchinson said in a press release. "Never mind that he voted for every tax hike that came down the pike during his years in the state Senate, Mr. Beebe actually helped kill an effort to eliminate the grocery tax just a few years ago. That’s not going to wash with Arkansas voters, who know a flip-flop when they see one"
Full press release after the jump.
UPDATE: Beebe's campaign responds and cites several "falsehoods" in Hutchinson's press release.
"Hutchinson should check his facts," said Beebe's spokesman, Zac Wright. "This is another example of him not telling the truth. Mike Beebe helped pass a bill in the Senate to eliminate the grocery tax. But I wouldn't expect a Washington lobbyist to be that aware of Arkansas history."
Wright added that Beebe voted in 1999 for Senate Bill 6, which was a bill to eliminate the sales tax on groceries. It passed the Senate but died in the House.
He also cited an AP article from January in which Beebe said, "I believe that the sales tax on food, which is the most regressive tax, must be phased out." The same article said, "In an interview afterward, Hutchinson said eliminating the food tax is not part of his tax proposals."
"Asa Hutchinson said eliminating the food tax was not part of his tax proposals," Wright said. "Now he claims it is. That's not straight talk. That's not leadership. That's the kind of double-talking we expect from a Washington lobbyist, just like he did on the minimum wage. If you take out the fact that Hutchinson's press release is wrong on the facts and wrong on his own record, Asa Hutchinson would almost seem believable."
Hutchinson: Why the Election-Year Flip Flop On Grocery Tax Repeal?
Attorney General ‘Lacks Credibility’ On Taxes, Says GOP Candidate
Little Rock – Asa Hutchinson today questioned the credibility of Attorney General Mike Beebe’s claim in a new television ad launched this week that he would eliminate the sales tax on groceries in Arkansas.
Hutchinson pointed out that, despite paying lip service to cutting the grocery tax during his 20 years in the state Senate, Beebe never did show the leadership or take the action necessary to get it done.
Even more significant, Beebe actually fought efforts to eliminate this very tax just a few years ago.
Hutchinson pointed to a 2002 ballot proposal that Attorney General Beebe publicly opposed (“Food Tax Question Pending Before High Court,” Associated Press, October 10, 2002) and asked why Beebe opposed the repeal when it came before the people and he had a chance to eliminate it.
“Mike Beebe is a classic tax-and-spend politician trying to re-invent himself as a tax-cutter during an election year, which simply strains all credibility,” Hutchinson said. “Never mind that he voted for every tax hike that came down the pike during his years in the state Senate, Mr. Beebe actually helped kill an effort to eliminate the grocery tax just a few years ago. That’s not going to wash with Arkansas voters, who know a flip-flop when they see one”
Hutchinson pointed out the stark and heavily documented differences between himself and Mike Beebe when it comes to the issue of taxes. Hutchinson has a career record of voting to reduce taxes as a way to spur economic growth – having voted for the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 and the 2001 Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act. Mike Beebe, on the other hand called the 2001 tax cuts “irresponsible.” (“Price To Pay Later, Beebe Predicts Of GOP Tax Cuts, Spending Habit,” Arkansas Democrat Gazette, 10/8/2004)
In July, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette chronicled the tax records of the two candidates, which showed Hutchinson’s consistent support for tax reform and relief throughout his time in Congress and Beebe’s support for billions of dollars of tax increases as a member of the Arkansas Senate. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, July 23, 2006)
“Over a two decade career in the state Senate, Mike Beebe continuously and repeatedly raised taxes on Arkansans, with the end result that Arkansas has one of the highest tax burdens in the nation,” Hutchinson said. “But now that he’s running for Governor, he claims to have discovered the virtues of cutting taxes. We’re glad he’s come around to our way of thinking, but you have to wonder whether somebody can change so dramatically so quickly. After 20 years of claiming tax increases are necessary, isn’t it a bit of a stretch to think he’s suddenly come around to a new way of thinking?”
Hutchinson, on the other hand, has a clear record of voting repeatedly to reduce taxes, and has made tax reform a major component of his jobs growth plan for Arkansas.
Early in his campaign, he called for requiring a supermajority vote before the Legislature can raise the state sales tax again. “Unsurprisingly,” Hutchinson said, “Mike Beebe opposes this reform – not exactly the stance of a committed tax cutter."
Hutchinson has also argued that, with the state facing a projected budget surplus of over $700 million, at least half the surplus should be dedicated to tax relief.
Specifically, he has called for eliminating the state sales tax on groceries and the energy sales tax for manufacturers, as well as some tax relief for small businesses.
“I’m not a new convert to cutting taxes,” Hutchinson said. “Arkansans know that if I am elected Governor, I will make tax reform a priority to put more money in the hands of Arkansas families and to drive jobs growth in our state. I have credibility and a clear record to back up my promises. I haven’t spent my career in public service acting one way, and then changing my tune during a campaign year. Folks know that they’ll get straight talk and clear leadership from me.”
Hutchinson, a native of Gravette, is a former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, Member of Congress representing the state's Third District, head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Undersecretary of Homeland Security, where he oversaw border and transportation security. Hutchinson currently serves as CEO of the Hutchinson Group, a Little Rock consulting firm.
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Comments
Democrat Flip Flop. Where have we seen this theme before? Not a very promising beginning to the campaign.
Thanks for taking this seriously Asa. We're bored already.
Posted by: How Original | August 14, 2006 04:58 PM
"Capital is fleeing the State"
Asa Hutchinson, Feb '06
ADG- "Record number of banks opened in Arkansas. "
Aug 06.
"Folks know that they'll get straight talk and clear leadership from me."
Asa Hutchinson.
Posted by: LWood | August 14, 2006 05:11 PM
where can i see the new ad????
Posted by: help | August 14, 2006 05:37 PM
LWood..you just gotta get some help little guy.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 14, 2006 06:21 PM
I just saw Beebe's 'diner ad,' in which he proclaimed that he would "stand up for the little guy." Lots of folks must be wondering which short lobbyist he is referring to.
Posted by: Clay, NLR | August 14, 2006 06:46 PM
Are Moril Harriman, Tom Kennedy, the rest of Beebe's lobbyist buddy's really making minimum wage? Does anyone really believe anything Beebe says?
Posted by: Anonymous | August 14, 2006 07:14 PM
Tom Kennedy is a crook, as is anyone in his company, as far as just about everyone at my firm and I are concerned.
This was our lunchtime topic today.
Posted by: Friday Guy | August 14, 2006 07:19 PM
Please God let it be November soon.
Posted by: Roland | August 14, 2006 07:28 PM
If you look at the history of the two major parties, the Democrats have shown a concern for the middle class and less fortunate and the Republicans have shown concern that the rich may have to assume any responsibility for the world that they are using up.
ASA! is dependent on "names" coming in since he can't get the money out of his base who want him to overturn the government. I would hope that the road up to Klein's estate would be lined with "Go Back to Crawford" signs.
If we can get Bush and Asa! together in a room, the number 100 comes to mind-not the temperature but the combined IQ (that is if a Secret Service agent with an IQ of 86 is nearby).
And yes, trolls,I vote Democratic and I pay taxes and I have an estate and I have the brains to have trusts set up. What makers you so ready to eliminate one part teh tax code when the answer to resolving the issue is in other parts of the tax code. BTW, there os no ESTATE TAX, just a tax on theParis Hiltons of teh world that are the users of teh earth's resources but see no reason to help pay for them. .
Posted by: Fed Up to Here | August 14, 2006 08:15 PM
It would be impossible to get the facts as wrong as Zac Wright usually does.
See PIne Bluff, last week.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 14, 2006 09:19 PM
hey Fed Up To Here 8:15 pm...You ain't got fifty cents. You are a lazy demolib who wants the spread socialism. If you had an estate you would be fighting the horrible DEATH TAX like the rest of us who have worked hard for our kids. F--- Y-- and get over it!
Posted by: Anonymous | August 14, 2006 10:28 PM
hey Fed Up To Here 8:15 pm...You ain't got fifty cents. You are a lazy demolib who wants the spread socialism. If you had an estate you would be fighting the horrible DEATH TAX like the rest of us who have worked hard for our kids. F--- Y-- and get over it!
Posted by: Anonymous | August 14, 2006 10:29 PM
hey Fed Up To Here 9:15pm....You kept all the tax cut money President Bush has given you since 2001 haven't you. Come on and admit it. Tell the truth. You didn't send it back to the IRS did you. What's the worst that can happen to you other than the Socialist Party of Arkansas will throw you out!!
Posted by: Anonymous | August 14, 2006 10:34 PM
typical politics... isn't that a template that a$a used to craft his response... google "flip flop" and "tax and spend." surely you'll get a bunch of republicrap dogma hits. i wish a$a would have to get a regular job like the rest of us. it makes me sick.
Posted by: kevin | August 14, 2006 11:06 PM
Act 63 of 1983, Act 3 of 1991, Act 156 of 1997 Beebe Vote: Yes Act 63 of 1983 - INCREASED THE SALES TAX FROM 3% TO 4%Act 3 of 1991 - INCREASED THE SALES TAX FROM 4% TO 4 ½%Act 156 of 1997 - INCREASED THE SALES TAX FROM 4 ½% TO 4.625%
Whats so confusing about that ?
Posted by: John Anderson | August 15, 2006 12:46 AM
To get elected, Beebe will promise to cut taxes (or darn near anything to pander for votes) and, if elected, will find some emergency that will cause him to postpone removing the tax on groceries. Now if you elect him to a second term, THEN he promises to keep his promise.
It won't happen with a tax-and-spend liberal like Beebe.
Posted by: Wire Paladin | August 15, 2006 05:41 AM
Last Saturday in Arkadelphia all the major Democrats standing for election this year came to the annual Clark County event. Even Mike Ross was their to praise the party's candidate for governor. Only one did not show to praise Beebe. Charlie Daniels was AWOL.
Did Charlie snub this Beebe event? Was Charlie exclused because they didn't think he would be sober?
Posted by: POed Voter | August 15, 2006 08:06 AM
THese are facts. Mike Beebe is not a tax-cutter. Period.
SB342 - 2/27/1983 Beebe Vote: Yes AN ACT TO INCREASE THE FEES FOR ANNUAL RESIDENT HUNTING LICENSE AND FOR ANNUAL RESIDENT FISHING LICENSE TO TEN DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS EACH.
Act 63 of 1983, Act 3 of 1991, Act 156 of 1997 Beebe Vote: Yes Act 63 of 1983 - INCREASED THE SALES TAX FROM 3% TO 4%Act 3 of 1991 - INCREASED THE SALES TAX FROM 4% TO 4 ½%Act 156 of 1997 - INCREASED THE SALES TAX FROM 4 ½% TO 4.625%
SB517 - 2/28/1985 Beebe Vote: Yes AN ACT TO LEVY AN ADDITIONAL TAX OF FIVE CENTS PER GALLON ON MOTOR FUEL AND DISTILLATE SPECIAL FUELS
HB855 - 3/20/1985 Beebe Vote: Yes AN ACT TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS RICE RESEARCH AND PROMOTION BOARD;
SB106 - 1/25/1989 Beebe Vote: YES AN ACT TO IMPOSE A TWO PERCENT GROSS RECEIPTS TAX ON CERTAIN ITEMS RELATED TO TOURISM
HB1405 - 3/6/1989 Beebe Vote: YES AN ACT TO LEVY AN ADDITIONAL TAX TO BE KNOWN AS THE 'RENTAL VEHICLE TAX';
SB6 - 12/15/1992 Beebe Vote: YES AN ACT TO LEVY A 15% TAX ON WHOLESALERS' GROSS RECEIPTS DERIVED FROM THE SALE OF CIGARETTES
SB8 - 12/15/1992 Beebe Vote: YES AN ACT TO LEVY A TAX ON SOFT DRINKS
SB5 - 12/16/1992 Beebe Vote: YES AN ACT TO LEVY A TAX UPON HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICE AGENCIES, PERSONAL CARE SERVICE PROVIDERS, LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES, NURSING FACILITIES, AND INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITIES FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED
HB1004 - 12/17/1992 Beebe Vote: YES AN ACT TO LEVY AN ADDITIONAL EXCISE TAX OF TWELVE AND ONE-HALF CENTS PER PACK OF CIGARETTES;
HB2073- 4/7/1993 Beebe Vote: YES TO LEVY ADDITIONAL FRANCHISE TAX OF THREE DOLLARS PER YEAR ON EACH CORPORATION
SB295- 1/25/1995 Beebe Vote: YES AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26, CHAPTER 75, SUBCHAPTER 5 OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO CLARIFY THAT BOTH LOCAL USE TAX AND LOCAL SALES TAX ARE LEVIED; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
HB1548- 3/24/1999 Beebe Vote: YES TO LEVY AN ADDITIONAL EXCISE TAX ON MOTOR FUEL AND AN ADDITIONAL TAX ON DISTILLATE SPECIAL FUEL
SB287- 3/7/2001 Beebe Vote: YES TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS ELDERLY CARE TAX
Posted by: Beebe's tax record | August 15, 2006 09:11 AM
This state has many major problems and most of the U.S. sees us as the village idiot.
Yet cutting taxes is the major political focus.
Can we restrain our greed and focus on the problems for ONE FUCKING SECOND?
You republicans are obviously broke, because you're constantly talking about needing more money.
Posted by: Roland | August 15, 2006 11:27 AM
I for one am thrilled to see these Beebe ads on the air. Finally he can communicate directly with the voters on a mass scale. When people see him talking about bringing better jobs and education to the state and improving health care they will respond with their support. It's clear Beebe has made a career out of helping Arkansas families and standing up for the people who need it most, which it seems to me is more than can be said for Asa.
Posted by: Joe | August 15, 2006 12:44 PM
Perhaps we should unpack BTR's 9:11 post.
I think Max would be pleased to see the votes to increase teh tax on cigarettes. I'm one of those foul smokers and I supported increasing the "sin tax" on my packs.
The question is what taxes do we cut? Can we make it revenue neutral as required by law? If not, what do we cut from State government? These are the questions the trolls cannot address with the troll fu of talking points.
Oh, and three dollars per year on the franchise tax for corporations and you are complaining? Really.
Posted by: Themis | August 15, 2006 01:04 PM