After stating in debates and campaign advertisements that he would lower or eliminate certain state taxes, lawmakers are calling foul on former Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) chairman John Wahl, who is seeking the party’s nomination for lieutenant governor.
Wahl faces Secretary of State Wes Allen in the upcoming June 16 runoff election to be the GOP’s pick in the November general election.
On Thursday, Allen’s campaign released a letter signed by 23 members of the Alabama House of Representatives and one senator that states what the lieutenant governor can and cannot do. The lieutenant governor presides over the Alabama Senate.
“As you go to the polls to vote on June 16 in the party’s runoff elections, we know that you are being bombarded with campaign ads,” the letter reads. “It is just that time of year again. As elected members of the Alabama legislature, we feel it is our responsibility to make sure that voters know the truth about the legislative process.”
“Recently, a candidate for Lt. Governor, John Wahl, has aired multiple campaigns [sic] ads that promise, if elected Lt. Governor, he will eliminate, decrease or freeze your taxes. Please be aware:
· The Lt. Governor has no ability to keep taxation promises.
· The Office of the Lt. Governor cannot have any impact on your taxes.
· The Lt. Governor cannot freeze your taxes.
· The Lt. Governor cannot decrease your taxes.
· The Lt. Governor cannot raise your taxes.”
In debates and campaign materials, Wahl has stated that a policy priority for him is to tackle state grocery and income taxes. However, he has never claimed that this is a unilateral power of the lieutenant governor. Rather, he highlighted his legislative relationships and the lieutenant governor’s power to advocate in the upper chamber.
“It is important to know the truth when you cast your ballot and to be aware when a candidate is making promises to you that are impossible to keep as there is no authority to do so in the position for which he is running,” the letter concludes.
The letter was signed by State Reps. Ron Bolton (R-Tuscaloosa), Bryan Brinyark (R-Samantha), Chip Brown (R-Mobile), Steve Clouse (R-Dale), Brock Colvin (R-Albertville), Norman Crow (R-Tuscaloosa), Susan DuBose (R-Hoover), Tracy Estes (R-Winfield), Matthew Hammett (R-Dozier), Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville), Bill Lamb (R-Tuscaloosa), James Lomax (R-Huntsville), Cindy Myrex (R-Cullman), Ed Oliver (R-Dadeville), Marcus Paramore (R-Troy), Chad Robertson (R-Heflin), Chris Sells (R-Greenville), Ginny Shaver (R-Leesburg), Matt Simpson (R-Daphne), Jeff Sorrells (R-Hartford), Shane Stringer (R-Citronelle), Allen Treadaway (R-Morris) and Kerry Underwood (R-Tuscumbia).
State Sen. Donnie Chesteen (R-Geneva) also signed on.
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