Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 3, 1994 TAG: 9408100043
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By DAVID REED ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: DANVILLE LENGTH: Medium
But after the political speeches ended and the first day of tobacco auctions began, Robertson accused Robb and Rep. L.F. Payne, D-Nelson County, of reneging on the deal by going along with a tobacco tax increase to fund health care reforms.
``We've had meetings with Robb and Payne both this year and they both lied to us,'' Robertson said above the chatter of growers and the auctioneer's chant. ``They said they would stand up and fight for no tax increase on tobacco and now they say they're willing to put one on.''
Pittsylvania County tobacco farmer Billy Pearson propped his foot on a pile of golden tobacco leaves and complained that the initial prices they're getting for the crop is cheap, and so is the political rhetoric.
``When they [politicians] are in here, they're 100 percent for us and tell us what we want to hear,'' Pearson said. ``When they leave, I don't know.''
Early sales of tobacco at Neal's Warehouse on Tuesday were mostly below $170 per hundred pounds. Opening-day sales last year averaged $181 per hundred. More than 2.3 million pounds of Virginia's No.1 cash crop was sold Tuesday.
Payne, whose district includes the tobacco growing region, and Robb, who is being challenged by Republican Oliver North and two independents, said they still would like to see no tobacco tax increase. ``That is position A,'' Robb said.
Nevertheless, the two Democrats said they're trying to broker a compromise by steering colleagues away from the cigarette tax increases originally proposed - ranging from $1.25 to $2.00 per pack.
Republican opponent George Landrith said Payne ``sold out'' by voting with the majority of the Ways and Means Committee for a cigarette tax increase of 45 cents to 69 cents per pack, phased in over five years.
But Payne said, ``We've at least got it down.''
The Senate bill also would raise the cigarette tax from 24 cents to 69 cents over five years. Clinton proposed raising the cigarette tax by 75 cents to 99 cents.
Robb said the leadership in Congress is beginning to agree with his position that a burdensome tax increase would backfire. ``Our message is being heard.'' A burdensome and punitive tax increase, he said, would put farmers out of business and fail to generate more revenue by decreasing consumption.
Robb said Sen. George Mitchell's health care reform proposal outlined Tuesday likely will have a relatively low tax increase on tobacco. ``That will be the starting point of the debate,'' he told the crowd.
Independent candidate Marshall Coleman, the only other Senate candidate to attend the auction, chided Robb for not following his lead and taking a hard line against any tax increase.
Coleman drew laughter and applause from the crowd when he noted that North and independent candidate Douglas Wilder declined the invitation to appear and Robb left early to attend a Senate session.
``Two didn't show and Robb just ran out the back door,'' Coleman said.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB