Targeted Tax Increases. . . From REPUBLICANS?!

Del. Vincent Callahan (R-McLean), chair of the House Appropriations Committee, has signalled that he would not be opposed to an increase in taxes on cigarettes or gasoline. Speaker Howell seems inclined to agree:

“Things like that are doable,” Howell told reporters. “I’m not adamantly opposed to user fees, and a cigarette tax or a gas tax is a user fee.”

Howell repeated his opposition to general tax increases, but added that he has promised Gov. Mark Warner to keep an “open mind” on tax issues this session.

Let’s hope that the General Assembly doesn’t keep its mind so open that the brains fall out.

As in the past, the question remains what exactly is going separate us from the Democrats? Are we going to be the party of less government and lower taxes, or are we going to be the party of not-as-big government and not-as-high taxes.

I smell an implosion. . .