Rehwinkel Vasilinda Wants to Raise Taxes

While leaders in the Legislature are crowing over their success in crafting together a budget that does not raises taxes, one member of the House came out in favor of raising taxes today. Calling her measure a no free lunch effort, Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, attempted to amend a bill providing assistance to National Guard members by adding a 5 cent tax on gasoline to fund veterans assistance programs and transportation and energy projects.

I understand its a tax, said Rehwinkel Vasilinda. This would cost the average Floridian $29 a year. She then withdrew the measure before the issue could be debated. Rehwinkel Vasilinda faces a competitive fight for the Democratic nomination against former Leon County Democratic Chairman Rick Minor, who has kept pace with her in raising funds.