DATE: Tuesday, November 11, 1997            TAG: 9711110303

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL 

DATELINE: RICHMOND                          LENGTH:   23 lines

GILMORE REJECTS IDEA TO RAISE SALES TAX IN ORDER TO AX CAR LEVY

Gov.-elect James S. Gilmore III has rejected a proposal by some Democratic legislators to raise the state sales tax and use the money to eliminate personal property taxes on cars without delay.

``This is nothing more than a shell game,'' Gilmore spokesman Mark Miner said Sunday. ``We would not support any proposal that would raise one tax to pay for another tax cut.''

Gilmore defeated Democrat Donald S. Beyer Jr. last Tuesday in an unprecedented GOP sweep of Virginia's three statewide offices. Gilmore's main theme, promoted by his ``No Car Tax'' campaign signs, was to phase out over five years most property taxes on personal cars and trucks.

Gilmore said an estimated $5.5 billion growth in state revenues from existing taxes during the next governor's term would be more than enough to compensate localitiesfor the loss of the car taxes. He estimated the cost of his plan at $1 billion.

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