The Real Mike Beebe:
As Mike Beebe gets more and more comfortable serving as Governor of the state of Arkansas, we are seeing glimpses of the real Mike Beebe.
On Tuesday Mike Beebe told members of the Little Rock Rotary club that we would support a tax increase on natural gas production.
Calling the current system of taxing natural gas production antiquated, advocacy groups earlier this year said the state could gain between $4.5 billion and $7.5 billion if it increased severance taxes.
Beebe told members of the Little Rock Rotary Club that he supported a severance tax increase when he was a state senator in 1983 but that measure never made it out of a House committee.
"I voted for it when it came up in 1983 and if it came up again, I'd vote for it," Beebe said, answering questions from the group after his speech.
So as fuel prices remain at the highest level in years, Mike Beebe tells us he supports a tax increase on....fuel?
No surprise there. In fact, we told you during the campaign that Beebe has never seen a tax he didn't like...
Is this just the beginning? Will Beebe support tax hikes at the pump next?
Here is a look back at his 20 years of supporting tax increases:
Total Revenue Impact of the Following Bills: $10,386,209,475.10
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.
Revenue Impact:$2,253,654 (FY 83-84 only) ($24,757,194 based on 83-84 data alone)
Revenue Impact:$2,253,654 (FY 83-84 only) ($24,757,194 based on 83-84 data alone)
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%
See Note
1983-84 $159,915,848.17
1983-84 $159,915,848.17
1984-85 $172,591,630.42
1985-86 $174,217,089.15
1986-87 $178,903,191.76
1987-88 $189,994,571.34
1988-89 $199,336,183.18
1989-90 $210,446,752.11
1990-91 $216,914,066.04
1991-92 $344,539,153.40
1992-93 $523,045,731.48
1993-94 $404,665,022.36
1994-95 $434,497,613.42
1995-96 $459,152,601.27
1996-97 $475,114,165.79
1997-98 $489,841,360.14
1998-99 $565,710,101.73
1999-00 $606,128,581.18
2000-01 $621,845,240.92
2001-02 $630,417,210.27
2002-03 $637,882,327.80
2003-04 $671,601,616.16
2004-05 $722,264,458.48
TOTAL $9,089,024,516.55
*** Thisfigure reflects the cost to the taxpayer of Arkansas as a result of sales tax increases voted on by Mike Beebe. Not included in this calculation is the 1/2 cent increase of Act 1492 of 1999 which raised the sales tax to offset a property tax credit, even though collections from the sales tax have exceeded the amount needed tofund the property tax credit.
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 AND TO PROPORTIONATELY INCREASE THE ANNUAL FEE FOR VEHICLES USING LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS; TO PRESCRIBE THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE ADDITIONAL REVENUES DERIVED FROM THE TAX LEVIED HEREIN SHALL BE USED.
Revenue Impact:$6,838,940.50 (Based on 85-86 Data Only - Rough figure - sales fluctuation not calculated)
Revenue Impact:$6,838,940.50 (Based on 85-86 Data Only - Rough figure - sales fluctuation not calculated)
HB855 - 3/20/1985 Beebe Vote: Yes
AN ACT TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS RICE RESEARCH AND PROMOTION BOARD; TO PRESCRIBE THE MEMBERSHIP AND METHOD OF SELECTION OF SUCH BOARD; TO LEVY A TAX OF TWO CENTS PER BUSHEL ON ALL RICE GROWN IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS TO FUND A PROGRAM OF RESEARCH AND PROMOTION OF THE RICE INDUSTRY IN THE STATE; TO PRESCRIBE THE PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION AND REMITTANCE OF THE TAX LEVIED HEREIN.
Revenue Impact:$85,741,992.22 (FY 85-04)
Revenue Impact:$85,741,992.22 (FY 85-04)
SB106 - 1/25/1989 Beebe Vote: YES
AN ACT TO IMPOSE A TWO PERCENT GROSS RECEIPTS TAX ON CERTAIN ITEMS RELATED TO TOURISM.
Revenue Impact:$104,795,662.01 (FY 1989-05)
Revenue Impact:$104,795,662.01 (FY 1989-05)
HB1405 - 3/6/1989 Beebe Vote: YES
AN ACT TO LEVY AN ADDITIONAL TAX TO BE KNOWN AS THE 'RENTAL VEHICLE TAX'; TO PROHIBIT A SALE FOR RESALE GROSS RECEIPTS TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR LICENSED RENTAL MOTOR VEHICLES' TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN SURCHARGES.
Revenue Impact:$52,686,336.86 (FY 89-05 - Includes SB581 - 3/1/2001)
Revenue Impact:$52,686,336.86 (FY 89-05 - Includes SB581 - 3/1/2001)
SB96 - 2/27/1991 Beebe Vote: YES
AN ACT TO LEVY ADDITIONAL TAXES ON MOTOR FUEL, DISTILLATE SPECIAL FUELS, AND LIQUEFIED GAS SPECIAL FUELS...
Revenue Impact:$667,803.37 (Based on 91-92 data alone - rough figure - sales fluctuation not calculated)
Revenue Impact:$667,803.37 (Based on 91-92 data alone - rough figure - sales fluctuation not calculated)
SB6 - 12/15/1992 Beebe Vote: YES
AN ACT TO LEVY A 15% TAX ON WHOLESALERS' GROSS RECEIPTS DERIVED FROM THE SALE OF CIGARETTES AND TO LEVY ADDITIONAL 16% TAX ON TOBACCO PRODUCTS OTHER THAN CIGARETTES.
Revenue Impact:$8,764,009.96 (FY 1993 Only - Sales Fluctuation Not Calculated)
Revenue Impact:$8,764,009.96 (FY 1993 Only - Sales Fluctuation Not Calculated)
SB8 - 12/15/1992 Beebe Vote: YES
AN ACT TO LEVY A TAX ON SOFT DRINKS SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE IN ARKANSAS; TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS AND PROCEDURES FOR THE COLLECTION OF THE TAX.
Revenue Impact:$452,074,389 (FY1993 - FY2004)
Revenue Impact:$452,074,389 (FY1993 - FY2004)
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 RETARDEDRevenue Impact:$29,100,430.62 (FY 92-95)
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; UNTIL JUNE 30, 1993, AND NINE AND ONE HALF CENTS THEREAFTER; TO LEVY AN ADDITIONAL EXCISE TAX UPON THE FIRST SALE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS.Revenue Impact:$9,554,689 (1993 Only)
HB1580- 3/31/1993 Beebe Vote: ABSENT
AN ACT TO LEVY A TWENTY PERCENT GROSS RECEIPTS TAX UPON BINGO OPERATIONS AND TO REQUIRE THE ANNUAL REGISTRATION OF ANY OPERATIONS OR FACILITIES WHERE BINGO GAMES ARE PLAYED; TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Revenue Impact:$3,789,387.83 (FY 93-00)
Revenue Impact:$3,789,387.83 (FY 93-00)
HB2073- 4/7/1993 Beebe Vote: YES
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A SIGNATURE IMAGING SYSTEM IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE; TO LEVY ADDITIONAL FRANCHISE TAX OF THREE DOLLARS PER YEAR ON EACH CORPORATION; TO MAKE AN APPROPRIATION TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF A SIGNATURE IMAGING SYSTEM IN THE OFFICE OF THE SEC OF STATE
Revenue Impact:$1,173,123.16 (FY 93-03)
Revenue Impact:$1,173,123.16 (FY 93-03)
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
Revenue Impact: $300,000
Revenue Impact: $300,000
HB1199- 2/7/1995 Beebe Vote: YES
AN ACT TO AMEND ARK. CODE ANN. 26-52-301 (3) (B) AND 26-52-1002 TO PROVIDE THAT THE RENTAL OF CONDOMINIUMS, TOWNHOUSES, RENTAL HOMES AND OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS BY ANY ENTITY TO TRANSIENT GUESTS IS A TAXABLE SERVICE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Revenue Impact: $50,000
Revenue Impact: $50,000
HB1548- 3/24/1999 Beebe Vote: YES
TO LEVY AN ADDITIONAL EXCISE TAX ON MOTOR FUEL AND AN ADDITIONAL TAX ON DISTILLATE SPECIAL FUEL.
Revenue Impact: $333,450,000
Revenue Impact: $333,450,000
SB581- 3/1/2001 Beebe Vote: YES
TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC TRANSIT TRUST FUNDRevenue Impact: $3,900,000 FY02 Only
SB287- 3/7/2001 Beebe Vote: YES
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS ELDERLY CARE TAX
Revenue Impact: $33,750,000 (2001) $168,750,000 (2001-2006)
SB52- 3/12/2001 Beebe Vote: NVTO PROVIDE FOR THE PAYMENT OF USE TAXES
Revenue Impact: $291,000
Revenue Impact: $33,750,000 (2001) $168,750,000 (2001-2006)
SB52- 3/12/2001 Beebe Vote: NVTO PROVIDE FOR THE PAYMENT OF USE TAXES
Revenue Impact: $291,000
SB972- 4/31/2001 Beebe Vote: NV
THE MANUFACTURER'S INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT ACT OF 2001
Revenue Impact: $10,500,000
Revenue Impact: $10,500,000
What the heck does severance taxes and natural gas production have to do with higher pump prices, Ignoramus.
Here's a little education: Gasoline comes from oil (petro) production not natural gas production. Pump prices don't have anything to do with natural gas production.
No wonder nobody reads this ill-informed blog.
Posted by
Anonymous |
7/06/2007 05:50:00 AM
The fact is that fuel prices are growing at the pump and at our homes. Beebe clearly has a record of bowing to energy companies whether it be at the pump or elsewhere. Facts are facts. Thanks for the education!
Posted by
The Truth |
7/19/2007 12:06:00 PM