Updates on Organizational Issues, Good Legislative News and Action Alert for Botetourt County
Botetourt Residents…Don’t miss the Action Alert below:
We now have a formal address and phone number.
Roanoke Tea Party
PO Box 20285
Roanoke, VA 24018
540 491-0212
The phone number goes straight to a voice mail, but we will do our best to respond as quickly as possible.
- We are actively negotiating for a locale for our March meeting. We hope to have a bigger and better locale set up very soon.
- There is now a page to buy a one year membership. This costs only $25.00.
- We will have a downloadable membership form and a members only page set up shortly.
- We will have a tighter more action oriented agenda for our March meeting.
Good News! HB69 The Firearm Freedom Act was passed by committee and will be in front of the House of Delegates early next week. Thank Morgan Griffith for his support! More on HB69 here…. Contact your Delegate and ensure they vote yes on HB69 next week.
Action Alert:
From Danny Goad:
Stop Botetourt County Tax Increase Now!!!
According to recent comments by Botetourt County Board of Supervisor Member,
Terry Austin, he wants to put a new tax on Food & Beverage sales in Botetourt County.
The article from the Fincastle Herald, January 13, 2010 says,
“Buchanan District Board of Supervisors member Terry Austin was at the meeting and noted
that every area of county government will be affected‐‐‐from the Sheriff’s Department to the
Treasurer’s Office. He suggested the General Assembly give counties the same taxing authority as
cities have. Cities can levy taxes on cigarettes and higher meals and motel taxes. “We have the
same expenses as cities,” he said.”
A bill passed in the State Senate, SB280, will allow the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors to
implement a Food & Beverage Tax with a simple majority vote. Why does Terry Austin want this
legislation to pass when the Board of Supervisors already can put this measure to a referendum
and allow the citizens to vote on whether they want their taxes raised? He wants this legislation for
two reasons. First, he knows that the citizens of Botetourt County do not want their taxes raised
and would not grant the authority. Secondly, he wants to blame the tax increase on the state
legislature so he will not be held accountable. SB280 has passed the State Senate and is awaiting
action in the House of Delegates. Senator Smith voted against raising the taxes.
Senator Edwards voted to raise the tax which will put businesses in Botetourt County at a
competitive disadvantage with Roanoke.
Is it likely that the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors will vote in favor of this tax increase?
I think the answer is yes. I say that because of the action the Board of Supervisors has taken
since Terry Austin made these comments. At the board meeting held January 26, Terry Austin
was voted in as chairman. Austin was nominated by newly appointed Fincastle Supervisor
Donna Vaughn.
What can be done to STOP this TAX?
1.Contact all members of the House of Delegates that you know as well as Botetourt County
Representatives Del.William Cleaveland, (540‐591‐5959) and Del. Lacey Putney, (540‐586‐0090 ext. 1). Tell them you are opposed to SB280.
Tell them that you support legislation that makes it more difficult to raise taxes and not easier.
2.Contact Members of the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors and tell them that you do not
want increased taxes.
Taxes depress the economy and with the current state of the economy we should do nothing to
depress it further. Botetourt County Government spending has increased to 148 percent what it
was in 2006. Decrease spending instead of raising taxes. Contact Chairman Terry Austin (254‐1085), Vice‐Chairman Steve Clinton (992‐3066), Donna Vaughn (884‐2789), Don Assaid (992‐6445), and Billy Martin (977‐8085).
3.Contact Danny H. Goad at (540)283‐9289 or dhgoadpe@msn.com if you would like to receive more information about this
legislation or would like to help stop the onslaught of taxes.
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