2008 Questionnaire | Michigan Taxpayers Alliance

House District 17
(Click for full district map)

Candidates:

David A. Parker District 17 – Redford Democrat	Frank A. Tomcsik District 17 – Redford Township Democrat	Daivd Lawrence Malhalab District 17 – Dearborn Heights Republican
Sandra Eggers District 17 – Livonia Republican

Michigan Taxpayers Alliance 2008 Candidate Questionnaire

*Answers in Bold.

Q1. Last year, Governor Granholm and the state legislature increased the state income tax by 12% and increased the state’s main business tax by 22%. These tax increases allowed the state to increase state spending to a record $43.3 billion.

Governor Granholm and lawmakers supporting these tax hikes said that the tax increases were needed to protect critical programs and invest in future growth. A few lawmakers opposed the tax hikes in principle, but voted for them to avoid a budget impasse and a state government shutdown.

If you had to vote today, and the choice were to increase state taxes or watch state government experience a temporary shutdown, how would you vote?

David A. Parker: a. Shut down government b. Raise taxes

Frank A. Tomcsik: a. Shut down government b. Raise taxes

David Malhalab: a. Shut down government b. Raise taxes

Sandra Eggers: a. Shut down government b. Raise taxes

Q2. State of Michigan employees are the sixth highest paid in the country. Would you support freezing or cutting state government employee salaries or benefits to balance the budget?

David A. Parker: a. Yes b. No

Frank A. Tomcsik: a. Yes b. No

David Malhalab: a. Yes b. No

Sandra Eggers: a. Yes b. No

Q3. Michigan’s state income tax is a flat 4.35%. Some advocate for a graduated income tax, where higher income citizens pay a higher percent of their income to the state. Do you support a “flat” income tax, where everyone pays the same percent, or a graduated income tax?

David A. Parker: a. Flat tax b. Graduated tax

Frank A. Tomcsik: a. Flat tax b. Graduated tax

David Malhalab: a. Flat tax b. Graduated tax

Sandra Eggers: a. Flat tax b. Graduated tax

Q4. Under 1993’s Proposal A property tax reform, homeowners’ annual property tax increases are capped at the rate of inflation or 5% (whichever is less) as long as homeowners stay living in their same home. One increasingly common complaint about Proposal A is that the capped property tax increase can occur even if a home declines in value. Would you support amending Proposal A to prohibit a homeowners’ taxes from increasing if their home has lost value, even if such an amendment would result in less government revenue?

David A. Parker: a. Support such amendment b. Oppose such amendment

Frank A. Tomcsik: a. Support such amendment b. Oppose such amendment

David Malhalab: a. Support such amendment b. Oppose such amendment

Sandra Eggers: a. Support such amendment b. Oppose such amendment

Q5. Repairs and improvements to Michigan’s roads are funded primarily though a tax on gasoline. Some believe that the deteriorating condition of the roads justifies increasing the state’s 36 cents per gallon gas tax, which they argue is a ‘user fee’ for motorists. Other people believe that the state’s 6% sales tax on gasoline, which currently funds education and other state spending, should be dedicated exclusively to road improvements. Do you believe Michigan should increase fuel taxes to fund road improvements/repairs?

David A. Parker: a. Increase fuel tax for road improvements b. Oppose fuel tax increase

Frank A. Tomcsik: No Answer

David Malhalab: a. Increase fuel tax for road improvements b. Oppose fuel tax increase

Sandra Eggers: a. Increase fuel tax for road improvements b. Oppose fuel tax increase

Q6. Some candidates have been very outspoken and firm in their opposition to increasing state taxes. They have make public, written promises in the form of a pledge against raising taxes. The best known pledge against tax increases is distributed by a national taxpayer organization called Americans for Tax Reform. That pledge allows for revenue-neutral tax shifts and increases in legitimate user fees. Detailed information about the ATR pledge can be found at www.atr.org. Would you be willing to sign a pledge to the voters of the district that you seek to represent that you will not vote to raise taxes if you are elected?

David A. Parker: a. Would sign tax pledge b. Would not sign pledge

Frank A. Tomcsik: a. Would sign tax pledge b. Would not sign pledge

David Malhalab: a. Would sign tax pledge b. Would not sign pledge

Sandra Eggers: a. Would sign tax pledge b. Would not sign pledge

Q7. Additional comments regarding taxes, spending or your candidacy:

David A. Parker: State government needs to be reduced. It has grown to an point that we can no longer afford. The budget needs to be reduced and the recent taxes rolled back. I also favor a part time legislature.

Frank A. Tomcsik: Taxes can be reduced by elimanating the waste in government operations and unnecessary spending.

David Malhalab: Everyone should pay fair share in taxes.

Sandra Eggers: True economic growth for Michigan can only happen when we reduce taxes on individuals and businesses; eliminate excessive regulations on businesses to level the playing field for all and vastly improve our schools, making it more attractive to businesses considering Michigan as a relocation destination.

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