Romney's Tax-Raising Record Earned Him a New Nickname: "Fee-Fee"

Washington, DC - With new polls showing that smooth talking Mitt Romney is failing to convince Republican primary voters to ignore his flip-flops on everything from abortion to gun control, Romney is trying to focus on issues like taxes and health care. But, while Romney told Bloomberg News that he's "trying to bring taxes down," his rhetoric sharply conflicts with his record as Massachusetts governor. [Bloomberg, 8/29/07]

According to the Associated Press, "A survey of states by the National Conference of State Legislatures found Massachusetts led the nation during Romney's first year, raising fees and fines by $501 million," including $140 million in what Romney called business tax "loophole closings." Romney hiked everything from fees paid by "the blind, mentally retarded and gun owners" to those paid by "horseback riding instructors, prisoners, those seeking training to combat domestic violence and used car shoppers." In fact, Romney raised so many fees he earned himself a nickname in Massachusetts: "Fee-Fee." [Associated Press, 8/28/07]

Romney's attempts to smooth talk his way out of his tax-raising record come as he is flip-flopping his way through the debate on health care reform. Last week, Romney outlined a plan to use tax exemptions to expand health coverage for the uninsured, just weeks after saying during a nationally televised debate that tax exemptions are not the way to provide health insurance to every American. [Wall Street Journal, editorial, 8/27/07] Worse still, Romney's new plan rehashes President Bush's failed plan for health savings accounts. No wonder Romney is stuck in single digits, with the support of just 7 percent of South Carolina Republicans. [Bloomberg, 8/29/07].

"With all his flip-flops and prevarications, the voters are beginning to see that the only thing smooth talking Mitt Romney has taxed more than his credibility are the people of Massachusetts," said Democratic National Committee spokesman Damien LaVera. "The American people want real leaders who can defend their record and tackle the tough issues facing this country, not a blatant panderer will say anything to run from his health care record, dress up his fee hikes and hide his tax-raising record."

ROMNEY RUNNING FROM HIS HEALTH CARE PLAN...

Romney Wants Conservatives to Ignore His Liberal Record on Health Care. "But as the former governor of the liberal state aims to win the Republican presidential nomination with conservative votes, he is altering sharply his approach to the issue....On health-care reform, the bipartisan support Mr. Romney garnered in Massachusetts isn't likely to help him with Republican primary voters the same way it might in a general election, where attracting independent voters is important." [Wall Street Journal, 8/24/07]

Romney Health Care Conflicts with New Tax Reform Agenda. "Mr. Romney's Bay State legacy is now praised by liberals as a prototype for national policy. That's done a great deal to set back the kind of tax reform that he now espouses. The issue for GOP primary voters to consider is why he went in such a different direction in Boston…. Yet his willingness to compromise in Massachusetts on core matters of principle, and then trumpet those statist policies as a 'free-market' solution, raises questions about how far and easily he'd bend to a Democratic Congress." [Wall Street Journal, 8/27/07]

Romney Distances Himself From Health Care Plan. "With signs emerging that his signature health care plan faces hurdles, former governor Mitt Romney has begun to distance himself from the new law...At recent political appearances, Romney has subtly lowered expectations for the law he championed as governor...The plan for statewide, near-universal health coverage was the centerpiece of Romney's administration, and it has become a key part of his presidential resume...Romney's recent comments underscore how sensitive an issue the plan is with conservative audiences, whose support is crucial to his presidential aspirations. Many conservatives view the concept of requiring individuals to purchase health insurance - and penalizing some businesses that don't offer it - as anathema to their principles." [Boston Globe, 2/3/07]

...AND HIS TAX-RAISING RECORD.

Romney Raised $500 Million in Fees, Imposed More Fee Hikes Than any Other State in the Nation. "A survey of states grappling with spending crises has found that Massachusetts imposed more fee hikes than any other state in the nation this year -- at least $500 million, the Boston Globe reported. GOP Gov. Mitt Romney and the Legislature, faced with a multibillion dollar shortfall, made it more expensive to get a marriage license or a divorce, file a court case, buy a house, renew a driver's license, or tap into a host of other state services. The study by the National Conference of State Legislatures found that Massachusetts was one of 30 states that enacted fee increases this year." [Congress Daily, 8/28/03]

Associated Industries of Massachusetts: Romney Forced Hike in Local Commercial Property Taxes. Romney "signed a measure that allowed local officials to raise the commercial property tax rate, which cost business owners $100 million, according to Associated Industries of Massachusetts, the state's largest business group." [Quincy Patriot Ledger, 12/16/05; Boston Globe, 10/24/05]

Property Taxes Rose to Highest Level in 25 Years. Romney's cuts to local aid forced Massachusetts property taxes to their highest level in 25 years. [Quincy Patriot Ledger, 12/16/05; Boston Globe, 10/24/05]

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