For generations, Republicans have slammed Democrats as “tax-and-spend liberals” who promote big government at every turn — often claiming that tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires are necessary because the ultra-wealthy are “job creators.” But such arguments recently went out the window when far-right Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, determined to get back at Disney for openly opposing the homophobic “Don’t Say Gay” bill, ended the company’s special tax/business arrangement in the state — a move that is likely to cost Florida taxpayers a fortune.
According to Rampell, 2022’s Republicans —from DeSantis to Sen. Rick Scott of Florida — are happy to raise taxes if that’s what it takes to expediate their culture-war battles.
“I don’t see how Orange County doesn’t raise property taxes by 20% to 25%,” says Orange County tax collector. “That’s what [the county] would probably have to do to cover this financial situation.” https://t.co/XHXCipuLOS
— Catherine Rampell (@crampell) April 25, 2022
Amazing.
— Catherine Rampell (@crampell) April 23, 2022
Gov. Greg Abbott's "enhanced" truck inspections turned up zero drugs or migrants, but cost Texas consumers and businesses an estimated $4.2 billion.
Delays resulted in $240 million in spoiled produce alone.https://t.co/SRw2ecNsAM
Republicans who are “cheering on” DeSantis, Rampell notes, have committed “a betrayal of their long-standing message to voters: low taxes über alles.”
Rampell adds, “Between high inflation and rising recession risks, the U.S. economy faces serious challenges. This should afford Republicans ample opportunity to offer voters some sort of pro-growth economic agenda. It’s telling that, instead, GOP presidential hopefuls are focusing their firepower on Mickey Mouse and Mexican fruit.”