Antitax groups hit ‘big spenders’

RICHMOND — Antitax groups have begun letter-writing, telephone, Internet and radio campaigns against the House Republicans who support the half-cent state sales tax increase bill, which goes up for a vote next week.

The campaigns denounce delegates who support a bill that would raise about $972 million by increasing sales and cigarette taxes as “big spenders” and ask constituents to call and urge them not to raise taxes.

Paul C. Jost, chairman of Virginia Club for Growth, has promised any Republican delegates who break ranks with the antitax philosophy of the party will face tough primary challenges next summer. Mr. Jost has also targeted senators who support tax increases.

“Next year’s incumbents will have to run on their pro-tax records,” Mr. Jost said, calling those delegates “Republicans in name only.”

James Parmelee, president of Republicans United for Tax Relief, echoed Mr. Jost’s sentiments.

“We’re focusing on every last one of them,” he said. “There is almost no one who doesn’t need some pressure. The response from the people on our side is, ’Keep the pressure up; they’re feeling it.’ From the folks who are wobbly, they’re generally trying not to return my calls or e-mails.”

Gov. Mark Warner, a Democrat, said he spent much of yesterday on the phone urging those Republicans not to cave in to pressure from their party leaders and antitax groups who oppose a two-year, $972 million tax package sent to the House floor by the Finance Committee the previous day.

“I know this is a tough call for them,” Mr. Warner said. “But the ones I’ve talked to today said, ’Hey, my first job was to do what was in the best interests of my constituents in Virginia.’ So far none of them seem to be backing down from the browbeating they may be getting from the anti crowd.”

Mr. Warner said he “will be on the phone the whole weekend” in an attempt to lock up enough Republican votes to pass the bill authored by Delegate Harry J. Parrish, Prince William County Republican. At least 15 Republican votes would be needed along with the 36 Democrats who seem likely to vote for the measure.

Besides Mr. Parrish, the Republican delegates who are expected to vote for the tax bill are: Gary Alan Reese, James H. Dillard II, Vincent F. Callahan Jr., Thomas Davis Rust, all of Fairfax County; also Edward T. Scott, of Culpeper County; L. Preston Bryant Jr., of Amherst County; and Charles “Bill” W. Carrico Sr., of Carroll County.

William H. Fralin Jr., of Roanoke, S. Chris Jones, of Suffolk, and Robert “Bob” Tata, of Virginia Beach, Danny Marshall III, of Henry County, Harvey B. Morgan, of Gloucester, Dave Nutter, of Montgomery County, and Glenn Oder, of Newport News, also support the sales-tax increase.

Delegates Phillip A. Hamilton, of Newport News, and Robert “Bobby” Orrock, of Caroline County, also support some type of sales-tax increase but not the plan that the House will vote on sometime next week.

Tax advocates, including some local government officials, aren’t wasting their time during the four-day holiday weekend, either.

The Foundation for Virginia, a nonprofit group run by Warner loyalists, will flood the airwaves with radio spots praising Republican delegates who are supporting the tax increase and urging listeners to call legislators who are on the fence.

Others are writing letters to the editor and opinion pieces that urge lawmakers to pass a tax plan to break the weeks-old budget stalemate.

So far, the budget impasse has cost taxpayers at least $53,245, according to House Clerk Bruce F. Jamerson. The expenses stem from the stipend that 61 of the 100 delegates take on the days they are in session.

In addition, one student from Virginia Commonwealth University has set up a new Web site that lists the names of the 17 Republican delegates, and provides visitors with the delegates’ contact information. The Web site is www.goptrainwreck.com.

Peter Feddo, 20, said he created the site to highlight the budget stalemate that forced lawmakers back into a special session on March 17. “This year the session has been so aggravating,” said Mr. Feddo, who also is the communications director for Virginia Young Democrats.

In addition to listing backers of the sales-tax increase, Mr. Feddo also names the antitax delegates. His site praises Mr. Warner’s budget plan and blames antitax Republicans for the impasse.

Mr. Feddo said the site, which was set up Tuesday, has had 500 hits as of yesterday. He also runs the Web site for the National Young Democrats.

He said the “GOP Trainwreck” site is not affiliated with Virginia Young Democrats or National Young Democrats.

• This article is based in part on wire service reports.