To the Editor:

Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, and his surrogates in Raleigh recently sent out a series of expensive glossy mailers claiming that Jane Hipps was planning on raising your taxes when she gets to Raleigh.  According to Sen. Davis, this pronouncement occurred at a Democratic Men’s Club in Franklin. As current president of the Men’s Club and having attended every meeting when Jane Hipps was speaking, I can declare that Davis’ claim is simply not true.

The claim is eerily similar to a tactic employed by Sen. Davis in his contest against John Snow in a previous campaign, even to the tacky graphics used in the mailer and his claim that he had no knowledge of the mailer and its false claims.

If you are really concerned about tax increases, examine Davis’ voting record since he’s been in Raleigh. The income tax cuts that he voted for benefitted only the highest income brackets and corporations. In order to make up the difference in state revenue, he voted for massive increases in sales taxes and eliminated deductions that benefit middle- and lower-income citizens .  

You now pay new taxes on everything from movies and concerts to your oil change. Taxes on mobile and modular homes went up — a lot. Davis eliminated the Earned Income Tax Credit that helps low-income families who work rather than collecting welfare. You no longer get a tax break for putting aside money to send your children to college. But don’t worry, when you buy your next yacht or jet, your taxes on those haven’t changed.

If you make less than about $70,000, you are now paying more in taxes than you did before Sen. Davis took office. You may not notice it because it’s coming out of your wallet every day rather than once a year when you figure your income tax. You still have less money to spend.

It’s time for Sen. Davis and his surrogates to begin telling the truth rather than peddling false information.  It’s an insult to his constituents — you and me.

John Gladden

President, Democratic Men’s Club

Franklin