The discussion of raising or lowering taxes has always brought along clashing views and debates among politicians. In 2003, governor of Alabama at the time, Bill Riley proposed action must be taken to solve the state's troubling budget problem. Although Alabama is known as “one of the most anti-tax, anti-government states in America.” (Frank), Riley proposed a plan of $1.2 billion plan, which not only fills a hole in the budget, but raises new revenues to provide and further education. Despite popular belief that all politicians seek personal gain, Bob Riley’s actions led to a valuable impact in his community. Unlike other politicians, Riley was not fearful of losing support from others because he believed that following the plan would steer
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In addition, Riley beforehand had spoken publicly “on a platform of cutting spending and freezing taxes” (Frank). Knowing that Bob Riley related to many of his supporters it was difficult for a large amount of people to understand why he would want to take actions that were widely opposed. Despite the presence of an overwhelming pressure to be liked, Riley did not allow it to shake his opinions on solving the problems in budget and the education system of Alabama. This is because once he entered into office he was hit hard when he found a “state budget deficit of $675 million.”(Jacobson). Even if Riley would become a nuisance to his party, he knew the only way he could provide great education for children in Alabama was to also “develop a tax base that could support it” (Gurwitt). Knowing this Riley thought of many solutions to the conflict and carefully considered the fact that “Alabama does suffer from some of the lowest quality of life standards in the nation”(Hansen). This is when Riley decided the ideal plan in this situation was to take part in $1.2 billion tax-and-spending plan. This plan would raise not only the revenue needed to take care of the budget deficit but “ it also added an additional $525 million in new program spending” (CFIF). Keeping in mind that Alabama has many families trying to make ends meet, he created the plan in a way which would collect a majority of the taxes from the wealthy. Riley attempted to persuade conservatives to accept his plan by explaining the principles he shares with many of them “demand that his plan be enacted. It is immoral, he contends, to tax the poor heavily”
In addition, Riley beforehand had spoken publicly “on a platform of cutting spending and freezing taxes” (Frank). Knowing that Bob Riley related to many of his supporters it was difficult for a large amount of people to understand why he would want to take actions that were widely opposed. Despite the presence of an overwhelming pressure to be liked, Riley did not allow it to shake his opinions on solving the problems in budget and the education system of Alabama. This is because once he entered into office he was hit hard when he found a “state budget deficit of $675 million.”(Jacobson). Even if Riley would become a nuisance to his party, he knew the only way he could provide great education for children in Alabama was to also “develop a tax base that could support it” (Gurwitt). Knowing this Riley thought of many solutions to the conflict and carefully considered the fact that “Alabama does suffer from some of the lowest quality of life standards in the nation”(Hansen). This is when Riley decided the ideal plan in this situation was to take part in $1.2 billion tax-and-spending plan. This plan would raise not only the revenue needed to take care of the budget deficit but “ it also added an additional $525 million in new program spending” (CFIF). Keeping in mind that Alabama has many families trying to make ends meet, he created the plan in a way which would collect a majority of the taxes from the wealthy. Riley attempted to persuade conservatives to accept his plan by explaining the principles he shares with many of them “demand that his plan be enacted. It is immoral, he contends, to tax the poor heavily”