On the issues: Taxes
As the fourth-highest ranking member of the House Finance Committee and subcommittee Chairman, Del. Welch has a powerful impact on proposed statewide tax increases. Each year dozens of tax increases are proposed, and each year the Finance Committee stops those tax increases dead in their tracks.
Republicans have long believed and trusted in economic growth, job creation and a thriving private sector to provide the needed revenue growth for core government services. Delegate John Welch is a strong advocate for streamlining government costs and fighting the ever-growing reach of government taxation.
Meals taxes in Virginia Beach are among the highest in the nation, and those taxes are paid overwhelmingly by local citizens, not tourists. Del. Welch has repeatedly patroned a bill that would block any further increases in meals taxes without holding a referendum first. Despite some local government opposition to this taxpayer protection, Welch’s legislation passed the House this year and was only stopped in the Senate.
In 2005, Welch was Chief Co-Patron of HB 1638 which phased out the state grocery tax, providing every Virginian of every income level substantial tax savings. Welch’s stewardship on the House Finance Committee made possible Virginia’s “sales tax holiday” for school supplies. This holiday exempts sales taxes for these back-to-school items during an August weekend. Welch also supported sales tax holidays for energy-saving appliances and hurricane preparedness equipment which will go into effect during the next fiscal year.
Welch also supported a constitutional amendment that would allow a 20% real estate tax exemption to all Virginia homeowners. This offers real tax relief against rising assessments and protects families from being taxed from their homes.
Delegate Welch is committed to protecting your families’ income from repeated efforts to take it through taxation. Please contact his office with further ideas and suggestions on making government live within its means.
