Ask the chairman about a tax increase, and he answers. It’s the answer fiscal conservatives want to hear, and (from my perspective anyway) it gives hope that any current officeholder in favor of increasing the sales tax will face primary opposition next time around.

I also owe U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan and state 3rd District Court of Appeals Judge John Willamowski an apology. Both voted against the Gov. Bob Taft tax increases I complained about. A Republican-controlled Legislature did pass those taxes, but Allen County’s then-state senator and then-state representative voted against them.

Here is Allen County Republican Party Chairman Keith Cheney e-mail in response to the one I sent Tuesday. I think he might be wrong about “most” elected officials, as only two (Auditor Rhonda Eddy and Recorder Mona Losh) have said they oppose a sales tax increase. Others are openly pushing for it, quietly pushing for it or watching without comment.

Still, Cheney reiterates the Republican position on taxes, which is something the two Republican county commissioners might consider. Sam Bassitt and Dan Reiff are, after all, both allegedly Republicans and the ones seeking support for a sales tax increase. Here is Cheney’s answer:

Dear Ron,

Thank you for your inquiry.

First and foremost, I do not support a sales tax increase. I am a firm believer in the Principles of the Republican Party of which two of them address the unfortunate plight of our current economic situation.

I Believe government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn.

I Believe the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations, and that the best government is that which governs least.

I am confident you will find the vast majority of registered Republicans in Allen County as well as the vast majority of Republican elected officials in Allen County agree with my position of not raising the sales tax.

As for the State of Ohio tax increases of the Taft Administration be mindful that our local representation at that time, State Senator Jim Jordan and State Representative John Willamowski, voted against the budget.

Sincerely,

Keith Cheney

Executive Chairman

Allen County Republican Party

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