'Tax Me More Fund' raises little revenue

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RICHMOND — State lawmakers can rule out Virginian's offering up more of their hard-earned money to fix the $1.4 billion budget shortfall Gov. Tim Kaine announced this week.

At least that is what a peek at the so-called "Tax Me More Fund" suggests.

Since its inception in 2002, the fund has collected a total of $10,217.04.

It was established a year after Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee challenged proponents of higher taxes to contribute to a similar program when he was governor of Arkansas.

Both programs provide generous taxpayers with a way to contribute more of their money into the state's coffers and allow lawmakers to highlight the hypocritical nature of higher-tax advocates.

"It's amazing how people want to tax other people for every idea they have, and they are not willing to step up to the plate themselves, said Delegate M. Kirkland Cox, Colonial Heights Republican and a sponsor of the legislation that created the Virginia fund. "It's a real good way to make a point."

Some years have been better than others for the fund.

Public generosity reached its high point in 2003 when Virginians forked over $6,602. The low point was in 2006, when the state received a measly $19.36.

"I'm sure it was put to good use," said Joel Davison, spokesman for the Virginia Department of Taxation.

Told about the donation total in 2006, Mr. Cox said, "Wow, not a good year."