Redeem the Vote backs Better South book

Dr. Randy Brinson, chairman of the Montgomery-based Redeem the Vote, issued the following statement June 30 in support of the Center for a Better South's latest progressive tax reform proposal:

“Over the last several decades, the Southern states have been falling behind other states in the nation with regards to progressive tax policy. Governor Riley and the Alabama legislature made significant strides during the past legislative session by raising the income threshold at which individual income taxes are assessed in the state. However, Alabama along with many of their Southern neighbors have done little otherwise in regard to tax policy since the early 20th century, despite significant advancement in the delivery of goods and services since that time.

“This week, Andy Brack of the Center for a Better South, will be in Montgomery as part of a tour of several Southern state capitals, to promote his new book, on innovative ways to modernize our tax system within the South. At his recent event in Atlanta with former Gov. Roy Barnes, it was identified that over 100 sales tax exemptions were still on the books in the state of Georgia, many of which were outdated. Larry O’Neal, a Warner Robbins Republican, and chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee of the Georgia Assembly, agreed that significant tax reform was needed in the State of Georgia provided it remained income neutral to the state.

“It is our hope that we can improve and objectively review our tax system in such a way that it promotes true fairness and equity for all the residents of the state of Alabama. By making taxes fairer and using targeted tax credits to promote the welfare of our citizens and ensure better health and educational opportunities, we can enhance the productivity of our state and ultimately reduce social costs for the most needy and vulnerable.”

Redeem the Vote is a nonprofit organization that seeks to engage America's young people of faith in the political process and educate them on issues pertinent to their lives.