In case you missed some of our handiwork from the past three weeks since we launched LCAFT on Oct 14th, we wanted to provide you with some good reference materials giving an overview of some of our efforts to educate Loudoun voters and raise awareness of the food tax referendum...its been a busy 21 days!
LCAFT MEDIA COVERAGE:
CBS Channel 9/WUSA (aired Oct 23) - Nicholas Interviewed
http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=77492&catid=188
Leesburg Today: "On the Ballot: Meals Tax, Bond Questions"
http://www.leesburgtoday.com/articles/2008/11/03/news/fp373electionquestions103008.txt
Loudoun Times Mirror: "Coalition: Meals Tax Not a Happy Option"
http://www.loudountimes.com/news/2008/oct/28/coalition-meal-tax-not-happy-option-restaurant-own/
Washington Post's "Loudoun Extra!": "Stick a Fork in It, Say Meals Tax Opponents"
http://loudounextra.washingtonpost.com/blogs/living-loco/2008/oct/16/stick-fork-it-say-meal-tax-opponents/
Connection Newspapers: "Meals Tax Debate - Coalition Forms to Defeat Meals Tax on November Ballot"
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=321155&paper=83&cat=104
Loudoun Times Mirror: "Group: Tax Targets Reeling Restaurants"
http://www.loudountimes.com/news/2008/oct/15/coalition-opposed-meals-tax-created/
Leesburg Today: "Coalition Formed to Oppose Meals Tax"
http://www.leesburgtoday.com/articles/2008/10/14/news/fp385meals101408.txt
Loudoun Times Mirror: "Tax Worth a Mouthful"
http://www.loudountimes.com/blogs/loudoun-mouth/2008-10-14/tax-worth-mouth-full/
The Examiner (DC): "Loudoun County Residents to Vote on Meals Tax"
http://www.dcexaminer.com/local/33729644.html
Washington Post - Nicholas' Letter to the Editor, "Send This Meals Tax Back to the Kitchen"
http://loudounextra.washingtonpost.com/news/2008/sep/28/letter-editor-send-meals-tax-back-kitchen/
Leesburg Today - Nicholas' Letter to the Editor, "Half Baked"
http://leesburgtoday.com/articles/2008/09/26/opinion/letters/alet345graham092608.txt
Loudoun Easterner - Nicholas' Letter to the Editor, "Against Food Tax"
http://www.easterner.com/cgi-bin/storyviewnew.cgi?059+OpinionLetters.20081021-3538-059-059011.Full+OpinionLetters
Loudoun Times Mirror - Nicholas' Letter to the Editor, "Vote No on Meals Tax Referendum"
http://www.loudountimes.com/letter/archive/2008/11/
Washington Post – Patricia’s Letter to the Editor
http://loudounextra.washingtonpost.com/news/2008/oct/02/letter-editor-dedicated-meals-tax-bad-way-govern/
Connection Newspapers – Patricia’s Letter to the Editor
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=320584&paper=83&cat=110
Loudoun Times Mirror – Patricia’s Letter to the Editor
http://www.loudountimes.com/letter/1182/
Connection Newspapers: "Meals Tax Debate"
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=321155&paper=67&cat=104
WTOP News (aired Oct 28)
http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=732&sid=1506124#
FOX 5/WTTG-TV Story (aired Oct 28):
http://www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=0A891DECB08085760707CB212B9DFF1B?contentId=7739809&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1
** Patricia and I also did separate on-camera interviews with NewsChannel 8 on Oct 28th & Oct 31st, as well as WMAL radio on Oct 28th...
Monday, November 3, 2008
Statements from the LCAFT Press Conference...
Here are the statements from Nicholas and Patricia for the LCAFT press conference at The Dock Restaurant...
The County says the tax will be collected in “restaurants” and prepared foods sold in grocery stores and convenience stores. But it goes no further in defining what those are.
Now, the City of Roanoke here in Virginia also has a ‘prepared food and beverage tax’ as of July 2005. But they believe that such a tax can be collected from the following places (read list)
That’s quite a list. We challenge the County to spell out exactly for all of us if it plans to do the same here – and, if so, why is this level of detail not spelled out on the County’s Fact sheet or website? It’s simply a matter of democratic transparency to us, and clear governance.
But if the County hasn’t told our citizens the full, wide and varied extent of this tax – we will do so here, with what we call our “Menu of Meals Tax Monstrosities”.
And this is the reason why the nickname for our coalition is called “The Happy Meal Rebellion”.
The last thing I’d like to quickly address this morning is a matter of what I believe to be tax policy inconsistency by the County government.
It appears as though our County Board has had a change of heart. After agreeing this Spring to a new series of business license fees and taxes in Loudoun called the BPOL fees, the County Board actually voted last week to reverse course and decline to adopt these new tax and fee hikes.
In doing so, according to the text of the story by Ashburn Today, those voting down the new BPOL fees and taxes “…said changing economic conditions make it unwise to increase taxes on the County’s businesses.”
We couldn’t agree more…
So the question is, why the double standard in how the County views tax policy on our businesses?
If they believe now is not the right time for BPOL fee and tax hikes – and the Chamber agrees – how is a food & beverage tax any less onerous on our small business restaurants?
It just doesn’t make sense to me. Both BPOL and a meals tax will have the same chilling effect – both are wrong, both should be opposed.
At best, this is simple careless inconsistency. At worst, its a faulty, double-standard. Either way, our small business restaurants are getting the short end of the stick -- or the knife.
Speaking of knives - you can slice-and-dice the meals tax all you want. But – in the end – we urge voters to reject this untimely and unfair tax, and stick a fork in it on Election Day!
LCAFT PRESS CONFERENCE
THE DOCK RESTAURANT – Oct 2008
Remarks by LCAFT Co-Founder, Nicholas Graham
Thank you very much Patricia, a great fighter for the taxpayer in Loudoun
I would also like to extend my thanks to the owners of The Dock Restaurant – a wonderful place to eat and be merry – with delicious specials every night, I might add.
And I’d also like to thank our Coalition members for being here today.
I should also add that Patricia and I are leading this effort – not because we are angling for a better seat at our favorite Loudoun restaurants – but because it’s the right thing to do.
Loudoun voters would be well-served to vote down this untimely, unfair, and punitive new tax on Election Day.
Don’t think of this tax as four cents on the dollar, or $1 on a $25 dollar meal. Think of it as potentially $400 or $500 dollars every year on a family of four that has to eat on the go several times a week.
For a working family with two spouses juggling jobs and kids making $30,000 a year – that’s a huge chunk of money. And it’s wrong.
For us, this ballot question isn’t about how the money will be used, it’s about how it’s collected and from who. It’s the principle of the issue.
It’s about a tax that will penalize our working poor, and our seniors and disabled - most of whom live on a limited, fixed income and depend on prepared or delivered foods.
It’s about a tax that will single-out a hard-pressed industry – our small business restaurants, where pennies on the dollar DO make a difference.
It’s about an immediate, almost doubling of the tax rate on foods we eat on the run, and prepared foods in stores – we already pay 5% of state sales tax, this is additional 4% on top of that.
It’s about a tax that comes at the worst time for our families and small business restaurants – profit margins are dwindling, as are our 401Ks, IRAs, 529 college funds and food budgets.
But what I want to focus on today for one minute is the far-reaching and wide-ranging impact of this tax.
I believe the County has done the citizens of this County a fundamental disservice by not being totally transparent in terms of where this tax will be collected.
By way of example, the County’s own “Fact Sheet” on the food tax that is totally deficient and unacceptable in describing where exactly this new food tax will apply.
THE DOCK RESTAURANT – Oct 2008
Remarks by LCAFT Co-Founder, Nicholas Graham
Thank you very much Patricia, a great fighter for the taxpayer in Loudoun
I would also like to extend my thanks to the owners of The Dock Restaurant – a wonderful place to eat and be merry – with delicious specials every night, I might add.
And I’d also like to thank our Coalition members for being here today.
I should also add that Patricia and I are leading this effort – not because we are angling for a better seat at our favorite Loudoun restaurants – but because it’s the right thing to do.
Loudoun voters would be well-served to vote down this untimely, unfair, and punitive new tax on Election Day.
Don’t think of this tax as four cents on the dollar, or $1 on a $25 dollar meal. Think of it as potentially $400 or $500 dollars every year on a family of four that has to eat on the go several times a week.
For a working family with two spouses juggling jobs and kids making $30,000 a year – that’s a huge chunk of money. And it’s wrong.
For us, this ballot question isn’t about how the money will be used, it’s about how it’s collected and from who. It’s the principle of the issue.
It’s about a tax that will penalize our working poor, and our seniors and disabled - most of whom live on a limited, fixed income and depend on prepared or delivered foods.
It’s about a tax that will single-out a hard-pressed industry – our small business restaurants, where pennies on the dollar DO make a difference.
It’s about an immediate, almost doubling of the tax rate on foods we eat on the run, and prepared foods in stores – we already pay 5% of state sales tax, this is additional 4% on top of that.
It’s about a tax that comes at the worst time for our families and small business restaurants – profit margins are dwindling, as are our 401Ks, IRAs, 529 college funds and food budgets.
But what I want to focus on today for one minute is the far-reaching and wide-ranging impact of this tax.
I believe the County has done the citizens of this County a fundamental disservice by not being totally transparent in terms of where this tax will be collected.
By way of example, the County’s own “Fact Sheet” on the food tax that is totally deficient and unacceptable in describing where exactly this new food tax will apply.
The County says the tax will be collected in “restaurants” and prepared foods sold in grocery stores and convenience stores. But it goes no further in defining what those are.
Now, the City of Roanoke here in Virginia also has a ‘prepared food and beverage tax’ as of July 2005. But they believe that such a tax can be collected from the following places (read list)
That’s quite a list. We challenge the County to spell out exactly for all of us if it plans to do the same here – and, if so, why is this level of detail not spelled out on the County’s Fact sheet or website? It’s simply a matter of democratic transparency to us, and clear governance.
But if the County hasn’t told our citizens the full, wide and varied extent of this tax – we will do so here, with what we call our “Menu of Meals Tax Monstrosities”.
And this is the reason why the nickname for our coalition is called “The Happy Meal Rebellion”.
The last thing I’d like to quickly address this morning is a matter of what I believe to be tax policy inconsistency by the County government.
It appears as though our County Board has had a change of heart. After agreeing this Spring to a new series of business license fees and taxes in Loudoun called the BPOL fees, the County Board actually voted last week to reverse course and decline to adopt these new tax and fee hikes.
In doing so, according to the text of the story by Ashburn Today, those voting down the new BPOL fees and taxes “…said changing economic conditions make it unwise to increase taxes on the County’s businesses.”
We couldn’t agree more…
So the question is, why the double standard in how the County views tax policy on our businesses?
If they believe now is not the right time for BPOL fee and tax hikes – and the Chamber agrees – how is a food & beverage tax any less onerous on our small business restaurants?
It just doesn’t make sense to me. Both BPOL and a meals tax will have the same chilling effect – both are wrong, both should be opposed.
At best, this is simple careless inconsistency. At worst, its a faulty, double-standard. Either way, our small business restaurants are getting the short end of the stick -- or the knife.
Speaking of knives - you can slice-and-dice the meals tax all you want. But – in the end – we urge voters to reject this untimely and unfair tax, and stick a fork in it on Election Day!
Thank you...
Press Statement
Patricia Phillips, co-founder
Loudoun Coalition Against the Food Tax
October 2008
You have heard some members of the Board of Supervisors explain the desire to “diversify the source of taxes”. That sounds like good thing to do, doesn’t it? It sounds like the familiar investment advice: to diversify your income. So the instead of just depending on residential real estate taxes, we’ll also pay this food tax. Although residential real estate tax is the large source (50%) of the local tax revenue in the county, it is hardly the only tax. There is also:
· Local Sales Tax --
· Motor Vehicles Fuels Sales Tax (2% for Northern VA, on top of the gasoline tax which goes to the state)
· Utility Consumption Tax --( electric, natural gas)
· Communications Sales and Use Tax, (phones, cable and internet)
· Transient Occupancy Tax (Hotel/Motel)
· Daily Vehicle Rental Tax (car rental)
So does adding one more tax; to restaurant meals and prepared food really serve any benefit in further diversifying the revenue stream?
Not likely, because those six taxes I mention are just the local taxes paid by the “consumer” – to which the meals and prepared food tax would be the seventh.
The county also collects:
Residential real property tax
Commercial real property tax
Personal property tax (cars)
Business license tax, (BPOL)
Public serve corporation franchise license
Recordation & wills
Vehicle decals,
Machinery and Tools tax
bank franchise tax,
public service cooperation franchise license
Now as far as the $13 million the county Board of Supervisors hopes to raise from this tax, -- it equates to 1.6% of the county’s revenue – just from local taxes – not including any transfers the from the feds or the state. $13 million is the same amount raised from the fees for recordation and wills – so they got you coming and going – they want to tax you to eat and then when you die and stop eating they tax you again.
I reject the notion that the County board cannot prioritize the budget to economize 1.6% of funding. This proposed tax is a ruse to help you feel better about voting to tax yourself more, by saying it will go to school construction and debt service.
I wonder how many schools $13 million will build. On the same ballot next Tuesday, we vote on two school bond referendums. One is for $21 million for an elementary school and the other $82 million for the high school. That totals over $100 million. $13 million doesn’t help much there, just over 10% of the construction needs this year.
This is just an “easy way” to raise a little more money. There is no benefit of adding one more tax except to squeeze a more of the taxpayers hard earned money.
Patricia Phillips, co-founder
Loudoun Coalition Against the Food Tax
October 2008
You have heard some members of the Board of Supervisors explain the desire to “diversify the source of taxes”. That sounds like good thing to do, doesn’t it? It sounds like the familiar investment advice: to diversify your income. So the instead of just depending on residential real estate taxes, we’ll also pay this food tax. Although residential real estate tax is the large source (50%) of the local tax revenue in the county, it is hardly the only tax. There is also:
· Local Sales Tax --
· Motor Vehicles Fuels Sales Tax (2% for Northern VA, on top of the gasoline tax which goes to the state)
· Utility Consumption Tax --( electric, natural gas)
· Communications Sales and Use Tax, (phones, cable and internet)
· Transient Occupancy Tax (Hotel/Motel)
· Daily Vehicle Rental Tax (car rental)
So does adding one more tax; to restaurant meals and prepared food really serve any benefit in further diversifying the revenue stream?
Not likely, because those six taxes I mention are just the local taxes paid by the “consumer” – to which the meals and prepared food tax would be the seventh.
The county also collects:
Residential real property tax
Commercial real property tax
Personal property tax (cars)
Business license tax, (BPOL)
Public serve corporation franchise license
Recordation & wills
Vehicle decals,
Machinery and Tools tax
bank franchise tax,
public service cooperation franchise license
Now as far as the $13 million the county Board of Supervisors hopes to raise from this tax, -- it equates to 1.6% of the county’s revenue – just from local taxes – not including any transfers the from the feds or the state. $13 million is the same amount raised from the fees for recordation and wills – so they got you coming and going – they want to tax you to eat and then when you die and stop eating they tax you again.
I reject the notion that the County board cannot prioritize the budget to economize 1.6% of funding. This proposed tax is a ruse to help you feel better about voting to tax yourself more, by saying it will go to school construction and debt service.
I wonder how many schools $13 million will build. On the same ballot next Tuesday, we vote on two school bond referendums. One is for $21 million for an elementary school and the other $82 million for the high school. That totals over $100 million. $13 million doesn’t help much there, just over 10% of the construction needs this year.
This is just an “easy way” to raise a little more money. There is no benefit of adding one more tax except to squeeze a more of the taxpayers hard earned money.
Thank you...
Get the fork out...
...it's Election Day (finally!), and it's time to send this meals tax thing back to the kitchen.
It's been about ten days since our last post, and we've sure been busy. The Coalition has been canvassing voters, sporting our "No Meals Tax" buttons, marching in the Leesburg Halloween parade, writing "Letters to the Editor", and raising awareness everywhere we can - especially with the Loudoun and DC-area press corps.
The Coalition also held a very successful press conference on Tuesday Oct 28th at The Dock Restaurant in Lansdowne (thanks to the great owners, Rick and Scott, for their hospitality). The Loudoun Times Mirror and Leesburg Today attended, as did Channel 5/WTTG and NewsChannel 8. Patricia and I also spoke that day to WTOP and WMAL radio. Attending were Rick of The Dock Restaurant, as well as Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio, Leesburg Councilman Ken Reid, and taxpayer advocate Jim Parmelee.
On Friday Oct 31st, Patricia took the time to appear on a special 30 minute program at News Channel 8 studios in Arlington to advocate for taxpayers for a story about the food tax referendum here in Loudoun (we're still hunting down the video...)
And, as you'll recall from several posts ago, we also took our case to a well-attended public hearing of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors on Oct 20th.
Our work is almost done - but we've got one more day left. So we urge all of you - especially our Coalition members - to get out there and vote, and encourage your friends and neighbors to vote as well. We need your support to ensure the defeat of this referendum. We don't need to restate the reasons - those are clearly laid out here in numerous statements and posts. We just need to give our effort one last push and burst of energy to send the strongest and clearest message possible.
Remember - VA polls are open from 6am to 7pm.
Patricia and I will post a media statement here tomorrow evening once returns come in and the results on the food tax referendum becomes clear...
It's been about ten days since our last post, and we've sure been busy. The Coalition has been canvassing voters, sporting our "No Meals Tax" buttons, marching in the Leesburg Halloween parade, writing "Letters to the Editor", and raising awareness everywhere we can - especially with the Loudoun and DC-area press corps.
The Coalition also held a very successful press conference on Tuesday Oct 28th at The Dock Restaurant in Lansdowne (thanks to the great owners, Rick and Scott, for their hospitality). The Loudoun Times Mirror and Leesburg Today attended, as did Channel 5/WTTG and NewsChannel 8. Patricia and I also spoke that day to WTOP and WMAL radio. Attending were Rick of The Dock Restaurant, as well as Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio, Leesburg Councilman Ken Reid, and taxpayer advocate Jim Parmelee.
On Friday Oct 31st, Patricia took the time to appear on a special 30 minute program at News Channel 8 studios in Arlington to advocate for taxpayers for a story about the food tax referendum here in Loudoun (we're still hunting down the video...)
And, as you'll recall from several posts ago, we also took our case to a well-attended public hearing of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors on Oct 20th.
Our work is almost done - but we've got one more day left. So we urge all of you - especially our Coalition members - to get out there and vote, and encourage your friends and neighbors to vote as well. We need your support to ensure the defeat of this referendum. We don't need to restate the reasons - those are clearly laid out here in numerous statements and posts. We just need to give our effort one last push and burst of energy to send the strongest and clearest message possible.
Remember - VA polls are open from 6am to 7pm.
Patricia and I will post a media statement here tomorrow evening once returns come in and the results on the food tax referendum becomes clear...
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The "Happy Meals Tax" Rebellion - on Ch 9 WUSA-TV!
UPDATE: Here's the link to the story:
http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=77492&catid=188
I am happy to report that Channel 9/WUSA-TV is doing a story tonight on the food tax referendum here in Loudoun County. Peggy Fox and I spoke for a few minutes on camera at The Dock Restaurant in Lansdowne today (The Dock, by the way, is a proud founding member restaurant of our LCAFT organization -- and thank you to the owners, Rick and Scott, for helping out and being hosts for today's on-site media interviews).
The teaser that Peggy will use as the lead-in to her story is great for us and LCAFT...she notes that "there is a meals tax referendum in Loudoun county, and opposition is building". Hurrah!
I believe Peggy also spoke to Leesburg Town Council member (and LCAFT member) Ken Reid (thanks, Ken!) and to Supervisor Andrea McGimsey on the BoS. The story will air first at 5pm, and will be posted at http://www.wusa9.com/ (you also might want to check the "Virginia" tab too in case it ends up there). It might air at 6pm and 11pm as well. Happy viewing!
- Nicholas & Patricia
http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=77492&catid=188
I am happy to report that Channel 9/WUSA-TV is doing a story tonight on the food tax referendum here in Loudoun County. Peggy Fox and I spoke for a few minutes on camera at The Dock Restaurant in Lansdowne today (The Dock, by the way, is a proud founding member restaurant of our LCAFT organization -- and thank you to the owners, Rick and Scott, for helping out and being hosts for today's on-site media interviews).
The teaser that Peggy will use as the lead-in to her story is great for us and LCAFT...she notes that "there is a meals tax referendum in Loudoun county, and opposition is building". Hurrah!
I believe Peggy also spoke to Leesburg Town Council member (and LCAFT member) Ken Reid (thanks, Ken!) and to Supervisor Andrea McGimsey on the BoS. The story will air first at 5pm, and will be posted at http://www.wusa9.com/ (you also might want to check the "Virginia" tab too in case it ends up there). It might air at 6pm and 11pm as well. Happy viewing!
- Nicholas & Patricia
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Patricia Addresses the Board of Supervisors...
As promised per my post below, here is Patricia's eloquent and heartfelt statement below to the Board of Supervisors from Monday night...
Dear Members of the Board,
I am Patricia Phillips -- resident and taxpayers in Loudoun county the last 21 years. I am a co founder with Nicholas Graham of the Loudoun Coalition Against the Food Tax. I realize you have a very challenging job ahead of you to manage the county’s budget during an economic downturn. Everyone knew last year when you were running for office that there would be a very large drop in the real estate tax revenues due to the decline in home values, and that planning the budget would be a huge challenge.
I want to encourage you to make the tough choices necessary to balance our county budget. When I ran for State Senate last year, I took a leave of absence from my work which significantly impacted our family household budget. We found we could cut back significantly -- and stay a healthy and happy – We focused our income on core responsibilities food, shelter, clothing, But everyone in our family supported the effort, and no one complained.
If the meals tax is defeated – that gives you permission to cut discretionary program. We’ve got to fund necessities first, and leave for another day the non-essential but nice programs. But don’t put core responsibilities of local government first on the list.
Now certainly the population grew 68% since 2000 and the CPI increase 27.3%. THEREFORE, you would expect the Loudoun County Budget to increase – but the budget budget grew 2 and half times the combined increase in population and CPI – by almost 240%.
I suggest you begin with asking the budget staff to go back to the 2000 budget and increase it proportional to the population increase, and increase with the CPI – and use that for your baseline budgeting to deal with the austere challenges of this years budget.
Thank you…
Dear Members of the Board,
I am Patricia Phillips -- resident and taxpayers in Loudoun county the last 21 years. I am a co founder with Nicholas Graham of the Loudoun Coalition Against the Food Tax. I realize you have a very challenging job ahead of you to manage the county’s budget during an economic downturn. Everyone knew last year when you were running for office that there would be a very large drop in the real estate tax revenues due to the decline in home values, and that planning the budget would be a huge challenge.
I want to encourage you to make the tough choices necessary to balance our county budget. When I ran for State Senate last year, I took a leave of absence from my work which significantly impacted our family household budget. We found we could cut back significantly -- and stay a healthy and happy – We focused our income on core responsibilities food, shelter, clothing, But everyone in our family supported the effort, and no one complained.
If the meals tax is defeated – that gives you permission to cut discretionary program. We’ve got to fund necessities first, and leave for another day the non-essential but nice programs. But don’t put core responsibilities of local government first on the list.
Now certainly the population grew 68% since 2000 and the CPI increase 27.3%. THEREFORE, you would expect the Loudoun County Budget to increase – but the budget budget grew 2 and half times the combined increase in population and CPI – by almost 240%.
I suggest you begin with asking the budget staff to go back to the 2000 budget and increase it proportional to the population increase, and increase with the CPI – and use that for your baseline budgeting to deal with the austere challenges of this years budget.
Thank you…
Taking our Message to the Board of Supervisors...
Last night, Patricia and I went to the Loudoun Government Center to attend the Board of Supervisors' Public Hearing and Comment period. Since this would be one of our last opportunities to address the Board before the election, we wanted to air our views and make sure the public who were there and watched on local cable access knew we existed to protect the taxpayer and our small business restaurants, and knew that we forcefully advocated a defeat of the Nov 4 ballot referendum on the food tax.
I wanted to share with you the remarks I prepared (I could only use a portion of the below due to the 2 minute rule for remarks before the BoS, but thought I should post what I drafted in its entirety). I will post Patricia's remarks shortly as well... Nicholas
I wanted to share with you the remarks I prepared (I could only use a portion of the below due to the 2 minute rule for remarks before the BoS, but thought I should post what I drafted in its entirety). I will post Patricia's remarks shortly as well... Nicholas
Nicholas Graham – remarks
Loudoun Board of Supervisors – Public Hearing
630pm – Monday, October 20th, 2008
As you may know, Patricia Phillips and I established a new citizens group here in Loudoun barely a week ago called the Loudoun Coalition Against the Food Tax, whose goal is to defeat the referendum that will appear on the November 4th ballot that allows for a new 4% tax to be imposed on meals, beverages, and prepared foods in grocery stores. Not to mention Starbucks, Happy Meals, Domino’s Pizza, Dairy Queen ice cream, movie popcorn, sub shops, and your favorite take-out orders from basically anywhere.
We are grateful that our non-partisan, independent Coalition boasts support across the community spectrum – with members from this Board of Supervisors, the School Board, the Leesburg Town Council, and three of the five Constitutional officers in Loudoun.
And I assure you we are not doing this to get a better table at the local restaurant that no longer places us next to the restrooms at the back. It’s just the right thing to do.
Now, I know that this County faces some very difficult choices. We are deeply understanding of that. We also know that there are many other local jurisdictions which are also facing a fiscal abyss – and many of them have chosen not to put such a referendum in front of the voters, as we have done here in Loudoun.
I completely respect that all of you and your able staff face painful decisions…and challenging decisions.
But placing a food tax on the ballot – and adopting it - is simply the wrong decision.
And here’s why:
1. I can think of no more onerous and punitive regressive tax that unfairly places more of the dollar-for-dollar burden on the low-income, working families here in Loudoun; not to mention the disabled and seniors – who absolutely depend on delivered foods and prepared grocery store foods more than the rest of us;
2. At a time when our collective IRAs, 529 college savings plans, 401Ks, and bank accounts are shrinking by the day – with gas prices still high, and with food prices soaring – an additional tax on one of our life’s necessities, food and beverages, is illogical, painful, and untimely;
3. Why are we unfairly singling out – in a discriminatory way – a specific industry in our county that is the economic engine for jobs, wages, and revenue – our small business restaurants? Even without the imposition of this tax, we’ve seen County gem after County gem close shop in just the past few months – such as Pacific, That’s Amore, Café Panache, Johnson’s Charcoal Beef House, Old Dominion Brewery Pub, Del Ray, Pepe’s, Casa Gonzalez – and the list goes on and on…
4. This would be an overnight doubling of taxation on food, beverages and prepared foods – a 100% tax increase: when you add 4% onto a food and beverage bill, you’re adding onto a bill that already has a 4.5% state sales tax, and then factor in 15-20% for a tip…and you’re already talking about a consumer facing a new bill which is 25-30% non-food related…and if there is going to be some trimming of the bill – you guessed it – it’s going to come out of the 15-20% given to the kind wait staff who depend on that to make a decent living.
5. the idea that eating on the go, or picking up prepared foods, is some kind of “luxury” is out of touch with today’s Loudoun working families – eating on the run is a necessity not just for busy moms and dads and their children, but for workers and crews during the day.
Make no mistake, diversifying our tax revenue base and building schools are goals we all share, of course.
But the real question is this: why would the goal of diversifying our tax base ever outweigh the goal and real need to protect the poor and indigent of this County, our tax-paying working families, as well as our small businesses?
By making this referendum a Machiavellian choices, a Hobson’s choice between either holding down taxes in treacherous fiscal times OR increasing funding for school construction, this referendum’s only accomplishment come Wednesday morning November 5th may end up being to ensure that these two fundamental goals become “mutually exclusive” in voters’ minds from this day forward.
When this goes down to defeat, as it has twice before – and the Coalition is working tirelessly day by day to ensure that history does, in fact, repeat itself – I’d respectfully submit that the Board should have considered creating a specific tax jurisdiction encompassing Dulles International Airport to carve-out a more targeted revenue stream for the referendum’s end goal, instead of sniper-targeting the small business restaurant industry – or busy, working moms and Loudoun’s low-income citizens and seniors.
Instead of focusing on “diversifying tax base”, why not re-focus on the goal of diversifying the options in which we can all begin to limit spending, reduce waste, and place a cap on the growth of certain programs and bureaucracies here in Loudoun?
We as Loudouners are forced every week, and every month to balance our budgets around the kitchen table.
We simply ask you to fulfill your role in making the same tough decisions that working Loudouners have to make – and balance the county budget at this table right here, every year.
Thank you very much...
Loudoun Board of Supervisors – Public Hearing
630pm – Monday, October 20th, 2008
As you may know, Patricia Phillips and I established a new citizens group here in Loudoun barely a week ago called the Loudoun Coalition Against the Food Tax, whose goal is to defeat the referendum that will appear on the November 4th ballot that allows for a new 4% tax to be imposed on meals, beverages, and prepared foods in grocery stores. Not to mention Starbucks, Happy Meals, Domino’s Pizza, Dairy Queen ice cream, movie popcorn, sub shops, and your favorite take-out orders from basically anywhere.
We are grateful that our non-partisan, independent Coalition boasts support across the community spectrum – with members from this Board of Supervisors, the School Board, the Leesburg Town Council, and three of the five Constitutional officers in Loudoun.
And I assure you we are not doing this to get a better table at the local restaurant that no longer places us next to the restrooms at the back. It’s just the right thing to do.
Now, I know that this County faces some very difficult choices. We are deeply understanding of that. We also know that there are many other local jurisdictions which are also facing a fiscal abyss – and many of them have chosen not to put such a referendum in front of the voters, as we have done here in Loudoun.
I completely respect that all of you and your able staff face painful decisions…and challenging decisions.
But placing a food tax on the ballot – and adopting it - is simply the wrong decision.
And here’s why:
1. I can think of no more onerous and punitive regressive tax that unfairly places more of the dollar-for-dollar burden on the low-income, working families here in Loudoun; not to mention the disabled and seniors – who absolutely depend on delivered foods and prepared grocery store foods more than the rest of us;
2. At a time when our collective IRAs, 529 college savings plans, 401Ks, and bank accounts are shrinking by the day – with gas prices still high, and with food prices soaring – an additional tax on one of our life’s necessities, food and beverages, is illogical, painful, and untimely;
3. Why are we unfairly singling out – in a discriminatory way – a specific industry in our county that is the economic engine for jobs, wages, and revenue – our small business restaurants? Even without the imposition of this tax, we’ve seen County gem after County gem close shop in just the past few months – such as Pacific, That’s Amore, Café Panache, Johnson’s Charcoal Beef House, Old Dominion Brewery Pub, Del Ray, Pepe’s, Casa Gonzalez – and the list goes on and on…
4. This would be an overnight doubling of taxation on food, beverages and prepared foods – a 100% tax increase: when you add 4% onto a food and beverage bill, you’re adding onto a bill that already has a 4.5% state sales tax, and then factor in 15-20% for a tip…and you’re already talking about a consumer facing a new bill which is 25-30% non-food related…and if there is going to be some trimming of the bill – you guessed it – it’s going to come out of the 15-20% given to the kind wait staff who depend on that to make a decent living.
5. the idea that eating on the go, or picking up prepared foods, is some kind of “luxury” is out of touch with today’s Loudoun working families – eating on the run is a necessity not just for busy moms and dads and their children, but for workers and crews during the day.
Make no mistake, diversifying our tax revenue base and building schools are goals we all share, of course.
But the real question is this: why would the goal of diversifying our tax base ever outweigh the goal and real need to protect the poor and indigent of this County, our tax-paying working families, as well as our small businesses?
By making this referendum a Machiavellian choices, a Hobson’s choice between either holding down taxes in treacherous fiscal times OR increasing funding for school construction, this referendum’s only accomplishment come Wednesday morning November 5th may end up being to ensure that these two fundamental goals become “mutually exclusive” in voters’ minds from this day forward.
When this goes down to defeat, as it has twice before – and the Coalition is working tirelessly day by day to ensure that history does, in fact, repeat itself – I’d respectfully submit that the Board should have considered creating a specific tax jurisdiction encompassing Dulles International Airport to carve-out a more targeted revenue stream for the referendum’s end goal, instead of sniper-targeting the small business restaurant industry – or busy, working moms and Loudoun’s low-income citizens and seniors.
Instead of focusing on “diversifying tax base”, why not re-focus on the goal of diversifying the options in which we can all begin to limit spending, reduce waste, and place a cap on the growth of certain programs and bureaucracies here in Loudoun?
We as Loudouners are forced every week, and every month to balance our budgets around the kitchen table.
We simply ask you to fulfill your role in making the same tough decisions that working Loudouners have to make – and balance the county budget at this table right here, every year.
Thank you very much...
Saturday, October 18, 2008
A picture's worth a thousand words...
Almost a week ago, The Washington Post did a story about the meals tax in Loudoun - a piece, unfortunately, heavily biased towards those in favor of this unfair tax on Loudouners - and the photo editors saw fit to attach a nice picture of one of the many schools in our County under construction.
Of course, ALL of us at LCAFT are in favor of properly educating our children, and ensuring they have the school space to get that education. Sadly, the Board of Supervisors saw fit to turning this referendum into a macabre Machiavellian choice between constructing schools or increasing onerous and painful taxes on one of life's core necessities - food.
But building schools at the singular and discriminatory expense of a specific (and troubled) industry in our County - our small business restaurants - is just plain wrong.
So, for any future Washington Post stories that focus on the meals that and require a visual, we hope the discerning editorial eye will consider the pictures above - worth, as the title of this post states - "a thousand words"....or, more like 1,040 -- if you impose a 4% excise on it.
- Nicholas
Friday, October 17, 2008
Make Your Views Known! Leesburg Today Meals Tax Online Poll...
Can't wait until election day to vent your steam about the proposed meals/beverage/prepared foods tax?
Well, register your disdain at the Leesburg Today website, see "Online Poll" on the right side of the home page.
So far, results are: 64% oppose the tax, 35% in favor, and 1% undecided...
http://www.leesburg2day.com
Well, register your disdain at the Leesburg Today website, see "Online Poll" on the right side of the home page.
So far, results are: 64% oppose the tax, 35% in favor, and 1% undecided...
http://www.leesburg2day.com
Welcome New LCAFT Members...
Patricia and I welcome and salute our two newest members from the 'elected officials' category, and are very pleased to have them on board with our cause and efforts:
Eighteen days to go until Election Day....
- Nicholas & Patricia
- Jim Plowman, Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney; and,
- Gary Clemens, Loudoun County Clerk of the Circuit Court; and,
- Jim Clem, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, 2003-2007 (Leesburg)
Eighteen days to go until Election Day....
- Nicholas & Patricia
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Cafe Panache: farewell to another Loudoun gem...
I may be a bit behind the times here, but it was just confirmed for me today that one of my favorite restaurants, Cafe Panache in Broadlands, has closed its doors. I am unable to confirm exactly what this means in terms of 'gone for good' or simply 'on hiatus', but either was this is sorrowful news - both for me personally and for our cause.
Its just the latest, tragic example of small business restaurants going under or out of business in Loudoun County, and why - in this tough, tough fiscal times for working families and small businesses - throwing another layer of burdensome taxes (yes, the 4% meals/beverage/prepared foods tax) is such a terrible idea at the worst time for all of us.
Personally, I have very fond recollections of many wonderful dinners with my wife Karen at Cafe Panache, or with a group of friends. The food was always exceptional, the service even more so, and the owners omnipresent and ever helpful and talkative. We considered it one of our top destinations whenever we landed a sitter (rare) and were able to sneak away for a couple of hours. Many good memories and fun times there.
I know many friends and colleagues have similar stories about Pacific, and That's Amore, and Johnsons Steakhouse in Leesburg. All restaurants recently forced to shut their doors. Remember, these places are more than just a chance to eat out - they are often the heart and soul of our communities, places to gather and debate politics or the issue of the day, places to hatch a great internet start-up idea, places to close a deal on a house or a business transaction.
When they go, so does a piece of us - and a piece of Loudoun...
Which is why - again - at a time when so many other of our restaurants (and we have precious few in Loudoun) and making by each day with a margin of pennies and dollars, we have to fight for their future, their jobs, their wages and tips, and their commitment to be in our community by defeating the 4% meals/beverages/prepared foods tax hike. Stick a fork in it on Nov 4th!
- Nicholas
PS: For memories sake, check out his review from January 2007 in the LoudounExtra:
http://loudounextra.washingtonpost.com/places/cafe-panache/
Its just the latest, tragic example of small business restaurants going under or out of business in Loudoun County, and why - in this tough, tough fiscal times for working families and small businesses - throwing another layer of burdensome taxes (yes, the 4% meals/beverage/prepared foods tax) is such a terrible idea at the worst time for all of us.
Personally, I have very fond recollections of many wonderful dinners with my wife Karen at Cafe Panache, or with a group of friends. The food was always exceptional, the service even more so, and the owners omnipresent and ever helpful and talkative. We considered it one of our top destinations whenever we landed a sitter (rare) and were able to sneak away for a couple of hours. Many good memories and fun times there.
I know many friends and colleagues have similar stories about Pacific, and That's Amore, and Johnsons Steakhouse in Leesburg. All restaurants recently forced to shut their doors. Remember, these places are more than just a chance to eat out - they are often the heart and soul of our communities, places to gather and debate politics or the issue of the day, places to hatch a great internet start-up idea, places to close a deal on a house or a business transaction.
When they go, so does a piece of us - and a piece of Loudoun...
Which is why - again - at a time when so many other of our restaurants (and we have precious few in Loudoun) and making by each day with a margin of pennies and dollars, we have to fight for their future, their jobs, their wages and tips, and their commitment to be in our community by defeating the 4% meals/beverages/prepared foods tax hike. Stick a fork in it on Nov 4th!
- Nicholas
PS: For memories sake, check out his review from January 2007 in the LoudounExtra:
http://loudounextra.washingtonpost.com/places/cafe-panache/
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
"Free to Decide"
(With apologies to The Cranberries for using their song title to make a point...)
During the course of the conversations Patricia and I have been having this week with many community leaders, small businesses, restaurants and diners - we've often gotten the question: "Are you affiliated with a political party, or a campaign?".
Hey, fair question during this Election season. And let us address this very timely and relevant point.
The direct and locked-down answer is, "Absolutely not!" And for good reason...
Holding the line on taxes, and protecting our small businesses and our low-income, working Loudouners is something that means much more than one person, or one campaign, or any political party or group. It should be - must be - a mission we all share. Now, the reality is - not all of us do. Which is exactly why LCAFT exists and was formed in the first place. If you believe in our mission, then join the cause...Republican, Democrat, Independent, Libertarian, or The Radical Vegan Boilermakers for Animal Dental Rights in Djibouti. Doesn't matter.
LCAFT is non-affiliated, non-partisan, and is not directed by any campaign or public official. (Having said that, some elected officials happen to be a part of our Coalition - simply as 'members').
Furthermore, we are not funded by any group or person, we're not asking for funds, and - most importantly - we will not accept any funds. That's the right way to do this, and keeps us free and clean as a whistle.
We're all-volunteer too, and simply rely on the good graces and helpful buzz-worthy actions of our members/partners. And - no - Patricia and I are not doing this to get a better table at various food & beverage service establishments anywhere in Loudoun either!
After all, this isn't about a 'free lunch' (we know there's no such thing). This is simply about not TAXING it. Ever.
That's the slightly - but necessary - sanctimonious message of the day.
Peace out, Nicholas
During the course of the conversations Patricia and I have been having this week with many community leaders, small businesses, restaurants and diners - we've often gotten the question: "Are you affiliated with a political party, or a campaign?".
Hey, fair question during this Election season. And let us address this very timely and relevant point.
The direct and locked-down answer is, "Absolutely not!" And for good reason...
Holding the line on taxes, and protecting our small businesses and our low-income, working Loudouners is something that means much more than one person, or one campaign, or any political party or group. It should be - must be - a mission we all share. Now, the reality is - not all of us do. Which is exactly why LCAFT exists and was formed in the first place. If you believe in our mission, then join the cause...Republican, Democrat, Independent, Libertarian, or The Radical Vegan Boilermakers for Animal Dental Rights in Djibouti. Doesn't matter.
LCAFT is non-affiliated, non-partisan, and is not directed by any campaign or public official. (Having said that, some elected officials happen to be a part of our Coalition - simply as 'members').
Furthermore, we are not funded by any group or person, we're not asking for funds, and - most importantly - we will not accept any funds. That's the right way to do this, and keeps us free and clean as a whistle.
We're all-volunteer too, and simply rely on the good graces and helpful buzz-worthy actions of our members/partners. And - no - Patricia and I are not doing this to get a better table at various food & beverage service establishments anywhere in Loudoun either!
After all, this isn't about a 'free lunch' (we know there's no such thing). This is simply about not TAXING it. Ever.
That's the slightly - but necessary - sanctimonious message of the day.
Peace out, Nicholas
The more the merrier...
...or, "too many cooks in the kitchen doesn't spoil *this* anti-tax broth"!
OK, enough food and kitchen analogies, I know...
But Patricia and I wanted to let our supporters know that on Day Two of our 'Happy Meals Tax' Rebellion against the proposed County meals & beverage & prepared foods tax, we have more Coalition members who have come on board, and these are folks you know well:
- Dr. Joseph M. Guzman, Member, Loudoun County School Board (don't need to tell you why this is symbolic and significant)
- Hamburg Doner of Leesburg (the "Mighty Midget")
- Premier Catering of Virginia
- Manhattan Pizzeria
- Mexican Garden Restaurant
And the momentum continues. Welcome aboard! - NJG & PP
OK, enough food and kitchen analogies, I know...
But Patricia and I wanted to let our supporters know that on Day Two of our 'Happy Meals Tax' Rebellion against the proposed County meals & beverage & prepared foods tax, we have more Coalition members who have come on board, and these are folks you know well:
- Dr. Joseph M. Guzman, Member, Loudoun County School Board (don't need to tell you why this is symbolic and significant)
- Hamburg Doner of Leesburg (the "Mighty Midget")
- Premier Catering of Virginia
- Manhattan Pizzeria
- Mexican Garden Restaurant
And the momentum continues. Welcome aboard! - NJG & PP
What They're Saying about LCAFT!
We're just on Day Two of our coalition work, and already we're seeing the fruition of some of our efforts - which we stated yesterday would include the need for Loudoun's media outlets to shine a bright light on the Food Tax and the impact it would have on working families, small businesses/restaurants and others across our great County.
It's looking like we're striking while the iron is hot, as media outlets and voters are starting to really pay attention to this onerous and regressive tax and the fact that it will be on the ballot on Election Day.
Check out some of the first stories in Leesburg Today, and The Loudoun Times Mirror:
http://www.leesburgtoday.com/articles/2008/10/14/news/fp385meals101408.txt
http://www.loudountimes.com/blogs/loudoun-mouth/2008-10-14/tax-worth-mouth-full/
Happy reading!
It's looking like we're striking while the iron is hot, as media outlets and voters are starting to really pay attention to this onerous and regressive tax and the fact that it will be on the ballot on Election Day.
Check out some of the first stories in Leesburg Today, and The Loudoun Times Mirror:
http://www.leesburgtoday.com/articles/2008/10/14/news/fp385meals101408.txt
http://www.loudountimes.com/blogs/loudoun-mouth/2008-10-14/tax-worth-mouth-full/
Happy reading!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Announcing our Loudoun Coalition...
Well, we're off and running at last! See the press release we issued today.
Stay tuned, more to come! - Nicholas
“LOUDOUN COALITION AGAINST THE FOOD TAX”
FORMED TO OPPOSE MEALS & BEVERAGE TAX HIKE ON NOVEMBER BALLOT
Group Advocates Defeat of Proposed 4% Tax Increase on Purchases in Restaurants, Beverages, and Prepared Foods in Grocery Stores
Non-Partisan, Independent Coalition Composed of Public Officials, Small Businesses/Restaurateurs, Taxpayer Advocates and Diners
Leesburg, VA – Tuesday, October 14, 2008 – With exactly three weeks to go to Election Day, a group of concerned Loudoun citizens today announced the formation and official launch of the “Loudoun Coalition Against the Food Tax” (LCAFT) in Loudoun County, which advocates the defeat of the November 4 voter referendum calling for an additional 4% tax increase on food in restaurants, beverages, and the purchase of prepared foods in grocery stores.
The mission of the Coalition is to: 1) raise awareness and education for all Loudoun voters about the proposed Loudoun County Food & Beverage Tax in the media and among businesses and community groups; 2) form an ad-hoc, broad, independent, non-partisan coalition opposed to this tax; 3) motivate voters across Loudoun to get to the polls and vote against the referendum.
“This is simply the wrong tax at the wrong time, targeting the wrong industry in Loudoun – our small businesses that are restaurants, many of whom are teetering on the edge or have already shut their doors,” said LCAFT Co-Founder Nicholas Graham today. “At a time of great economic uncertainty for businesses and financial hardships for families – another 4% tax on essentials like food will adversely impact family budgets, and also wages, tips, and even jobs. This is especially true for working moms and young people putting themselves through school or seeking critical supplemental income for their families.”
“Twice before, Loudoun voters have wisely rejected a meals and beverage tax – in 1992 and again in 1998 - and for good reason: a meals tax is also extremely unfair, regressive, and punitive on those least able to afford it, which are working Loudouners and those on the low-end of the income scale,” Graham said.
“Call this what it deserves to be called: the ‘Starbucks Tax’, ‘Happy Meal Tax’, ‘Take-Out Tax’, or ‘Rotisserie Tax’,” said LCAFT Co-Founder Patricia Phillips. “But it essentially touches everyone, everywhere in our County. Eating on the go is no longer a luxury, and this tax would essentially bring about an immediate doubling of taxation on many necessities for time-pressed working families who increasingly depend on ‘prepared’, or ‘take-out’ foods. Our message to voters is clear: Loudoun, stick a fork in this unwise, untimely, and unfair tax increase!,” added Phillips.
The Coalition cited recent closings of many popular and revered small business restaurants in Loudoun, such as Pacific Restaurant, That’s Amore, Johnson’s Charcoal Beef House, Cafe Panache, Old Dominion Brew Pub, Del Ray Restaurant, Casa Gonzalez, and Pepe’s, among others.
Members of the Coalition to date include: Jim Plowman, Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney; Gary Clemens, Loudoun County Clerk of the Circuit Court; Loudoun Commissioner of the Revenue Robert Wertz, Jr.; Loudoun Board of Supervisor Member Eugene Delgaudio (Sterling); Loudoun County School Board Member Dr. Joseph Guzman (Sugarland Run); Leesburg Town Council Member Kenneth Reid; Hamburg Doner (Leesburg), Cheng’s Restaurants, Amvrosia Restaurant, Manhattan Pizzeria, Mexican Garden Restaurant, Premier Catering of Virginia, Talk of the Town (Lovettsville), The Dock Restaurant, Mediterranean Breeze, Tammy’s Diner (Round Hill), Bonefish Grill, Mezza Grill, Bonnie’s Country Kitchen (Lovettsville), Café Opera, Coach Stop Restaurant (Middleburg), Mariachi Restaurants, Lovettsville Pizza & Subs, San Vito Restaurant, LCAFT co-founder and former State Senate candidate Patricia Phillips, LCAFT co-founder Nicholas Graham, and Mark Tate - owner of Coach Stop Restaurant and former Vice Mayor of Middleburg.
Outreach to expand the Coalition membership begins this week to community leaders, small businesses, and restaurants.
The Coalition believes in several core principles…
-- At a time of great economic uncertainty and financial hardship – with food and gas prices rising, and with Loudouners watching their IRAs, 401Ks, and 529 college plans dwindling day by day – this is simply the wrong tax at the wrong time;
-- Loudoun’s restaurants are already in jeopardy, and many have closed: this tax hike unfairly singles them out, and is discriminatory; it will also impact small business jobs, wages, gratuity tips, and add to small business tax, regulatory and paperwork burdens;
-- The proposed 4% tax hike on food & beverages is a punitive, regressive, and unfair tax that would impact low- and middle-income, working Loudoun families – including seniors and the disabled - the most;
-- This tax isn’t just about restaurant meals: it will impact buying Starbucks coffee, Happy Meals, delivery pizza, take-out/carry-out food, movie popcorn, ice-cream treats, sub shops, and more;
-- There should never be a targeted tax on core, life necessities: food, medicine, and heat;
-- This new tax hike will essentially DOUBLE taxpayers’ food/beverage tax bill every time they eat: 4% meals/beverage tax + 4.5% VA sales tax = new 8.5% tax bill;
-- Eating out and buying prepared food at the grocery store isn’t a ‘luxury’ in today’s Loudoun -- for so many busy, working families it’s a necessary stop while ‘on-the-go’, to save time and to be able to eat.
The Coalition has created a blog so supporters and voters can keep up to date with Coalition news, announcements, events, and a roster of LCAFT members. It can be found at: http://noloudounfoodtax.blogspot.com/
Media Inquiries, Please Contact:
Nicholas Graham, email: NoLoudounFoodTax@aol.com
Stay tuned, more to come! - Nicholas
“LOUDOUN COALITION AGAINST THE FOOD TAX”
FORMED TO OPPOSE MEALS & BEVERAGE TAX HIKE ON NOVEMBER BALLOT
Group Advocates Defeat of Proposed 4% Tax Increase on Purchases in Restaurants, Beverages, and Prepared Foods in Grocery Stores
Non-Partisan, Independent Coalition Composed of Public Officials, Small Businesses/Restaurateurs, Taxpayer Advocates and Diners
Leesburg, VA – Tuesday, October 14, 2008 – With exactly three weeks to go to Election Day, a group of concerned Loudoun citizens today announced the formation and official launch of the “Loudoun Coalition Against the Food Tax” (LCAFT) in Loudoun County, which advocates the defeat of the November 4 voter referendum calling for an additional 4% tax increase on food in restaurants, beverages, and the purchase of prepared foods in grocery stores.
The mission of the Coalition is to: 1) raise awareness and education for all Loudoun voters about the proposed Loudoun County Food & Beverage Tax in the media and among businesses and community groups; 2) form an ad-hoc, broad, independent, non-partisan coalition opposed to this tax; 3) motivate voters across Loudoun to get to the polls and vote against the referendum.
“This is simply the wrong tax at the wrong time, targeting the wrong industry in Loudoun – our small businesses that are restaurants, many of whom are teetering on the edge or have already shut their doors,” said LCAFT Co-Founder Nicholas Graham today. “At a time of great economic uncertainty for businesses and financial hardships for families – another 4% tax on essentials like food will adversely impact family budgets, and also wages, tips, and even jobs. This is especially true for working moms and young people putting themselves through school or seeking critical supplemental income for their families.”
“Twice before, Loudoun voters have wisely rejected a meals and beverage tax – in 1992 and again in 1998 - and for good reason: a meals tax is also extremely unfair, regressive, and punitive on those least able to afford it, which are working Loudouners and those on the low-end of the income scale,” Graham said.
“Call this what it deserves to be called: the ‘Starbucks Tax’, ‘Happy Meal Tax’, ‘Take-Out Tax’, or ‘Rotisserie Tax’,” said LCAFT Co-Founder Patricia Phillips. “But it essentially touches everyone, everywhere in our County. Eating on the go is no longer a luxury, and this tax would essentially bring about an immediate doubling of taxation on many necessities for time-pressed working families who increasingly depend on ‘prepared’, or ‘take-out’ foods. Our message to voters is clear: Loudoun, stick a fork in this unwise, untimely, and unfair tax increase!,” added Phillips.
The Coalition cited recent closings of many popular and revered small business restaurants in Loudoun, such as Pacific Restaurant, That’s Amore, Johnson’s Charcoal Beef House, Cafe Panache, Old Dominion Brew Pub, Del Ray Restaurant, Casa Gonzalez, and Pepe’s, among others.
Members of the Coalition to date include: Jim Plowman, Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney; Gary Clemens, Loudoun County Clerk of the Circuit Court; Loudoun Commissioner of the Revenue Robert Wertz, Jr.; Loudoun Board of Supervisor Member Eugene Delgaudio (Sterling); Loudoun County School Board Member Dr. Joseph Guzman (Sugarland Run); Leesburg Town Council Member Kenneth Reid; Hamburg Doner (Leesburg), Cheng’s Restaurants, Amvrosia Restaurant, Manhattan Pizzeria, Mexican Garden Restaurant, Premier Catering of Virginia, Talk of the Town (Lovettsville), The Dock Restaurant, Mediterranean Breeze, Tammy’s Diner (Round Hill), Bonefish Grill, Mezza Grill, Bonnie’s Country Kitchen (Lovettsville), Café Opera, Coach Stop Restaurant (Middleburg), Mariachi Restaurants, Lovettsville Pizza & Subs, San Vito Restaurant, LCAFT co-founder and former State Senate candidate Patricia Phillips, LCAFT co-founder Nicholas Graham, and Mark Tate - owner of Coach Stop Restaurant and former Vice Mayor of Middleburg.
Outreach to expand the Coalition membership begins this week to community leaders, small businesses, and restaurants.
The Coalition believes in several core principles…
-- At a time of great economic uncertainty and financial hardship – with food and gas prices rising, and with Loudouners watching their IRAs, 401Ks, and 529 college plans dwindling day by day – this is simply the wrong tax at the wrong time;
-- Loudoun’s restaurants are already in jeopardy, and many have closed: this tax hike unfairly singles them out, and is discriminatory; it will also impact small business jobs, wages, gratuity tips, and add to small business tax, regulatory and paperwork burdens;
-- The proposed 4% tax hike on food & beverages is a punitive, regressive, and unfair tax that would impact low- and middle-income, working Loudoun families – including seniors and the disabled - the most;
-- This tax isn’t just about restaurant meals: it will impact buying Starbucks coffee, Happy Meals, delivery pizza, take-out/carry-out food, movie popcorn, ice-cream treats, sub shops, and more;
-- There should never be a targeted tax on core, life necessities: food, medicine, and heat;
-- This new tax hike will essentially DOUBLE taxpayers’ food/beverage tax bill every time they eat: 4% meals/beverage tax + 4.5% VA sales tax = new 8.5% tax bill;
-- Eating out and buying prepared food at the grocery store isn’t a ‘luxury’ in today’s Loudoun -- for so many busy, working families it’s a necessary stop while ‘on-the-go’, to save time and to be able to eat.
The Coalition has created a blog so supporters and voters can keep up to date with Coalition news, announcements, events, and a roster of LCAFT members. It can be found at: http://noloudounfoodtax.blogspot.com/
Media Inquiries, Please Contact:
Nicholas Graham, email: NoLoudounFoodTax@aol.com
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