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Loudoun Times-Mirror: Comstock's Property Taxes Raise Questions About a Central Campaign Narrative(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) FAIRFAX, Va., Oct. 24 -- The campaign of John Foust, a Democrat running for election in Virginia's 10th Congressional District, issued the following campaign news: According to a shocking new Loudoun Times-Mirror story, Barbara Comstock isn't telling the truth about her own right wing record when it comes to wasting tax dollars, and John Foust's proven record of fiscal conservatism. Barbara Comstock and her campaign have repeatedly attacked John Foust as being a tax-raiser. The truth is, that Barbara Comstock's own property taxes have gone down by almost $300 since Foust has been a Fairfax County Supervisor. Since Foust was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2008, property taxes have increased for county residents by an average of only $18, or $1.50 per month. On top of that, while the county has grown in population over the previous six years, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has been able to keep spending flat through commonsense cuts, while providing residents the same quality services. "Balancing budgets requires hard work, not my opponent's partisan talking points. I am proud of my fiscally responsible record on the audit committee, reaching across the aisle to work in a bipartisan way to find solutions." From 2008 to 2014, Comstock's property taxes have gone down by almost $300: http://foustforvirginia.com/uploads/100.png (source: Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration's Real Estate Assessment Information Site) From 2008 to 2015, the average property tax bill for Fairfax County is up only $18: http://foustforvirginia.com/uploads/200.png More Comstock hypocrisy Barbara Comstock has made repeated claims that she will be the protector of Virginia taxpayer dollars. What she fails to remind voters is that she has made a career out of funneling taxpayer dollars to her lobbying clients. In 2005, Comstock lobbied for Carnival Cruise Lines, helping them win $236 million in taxpayer funding from the Hurricane Katrina relief bill to provide housing for evacuees. The gambling boats sat half-full along the Gulf Coast while Carnival charged evacuees four times the allowable rate. Comstock has also consulted for Blackwater, Koch Industries, Scooter Libby, Tom Delay, Jerry Lewis and Workforce Fairness Institute, an anti-labor front group. She has recently become embroiled in an ethics scandal after having introduced legislation in the Virginia House of Delegates that benefited her client, Workforce Fairness Institute. Comstock has also consulted for Blackwater, Koch Industries, Scooter Libby, Tom Delay, Jerry Lewis and Workforce Fairness Institute, an anti-labor front group. She has recently become embroiled in an ethics scandal after having introduced legislation in the Virginia House of Delegates that benefited her client, Workforce Fairness Institute. John's record of fiscal conservatism John Foust has been a fiscal watchdog in Fairfax County - balancing seven budgets and cutting millions in waste through commonsense, bipartisan ideas like consolidating offices and eliminating unnecessary government studies. The savings he found helped preserve vital investments in quality services for residents. And instead of pushing a partisan agenda, Foust will bring this same approach he practiced in Fairfax to Washington. BACKGROUND: Comstock's lobbying work drew bipartisan criticism for "gouging the government" and "crony capitalism." "Then-Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) put out a joint statement at the time criticizing [Comstock's client], accusing the company of gouging the government and of crony capitalism." [The Hill, 8/06/14] Comstock Helped Lobbying Clients Secure Controversial Katrina Contract Called "Grossly Overpriced Sweetheart Deal. "But some of Comstock's past work helping clients secure hundreds of millions in government contracts is precisely what Democrats plan to target on the campaign trail. In 2005, Carnival Cruise Lines secured a $236 million contract to house more than 7,000 people displaced by Hurricane Katrina, a sum that drew bipartisan criticism in the fallout from the storm... "A short-term temporary solution has turned into a long-term, grossly overpriced sweetheart deal for a cruise line," the bipartisan duo said in the 2005 statement." [The Hill, 8/06/14] Comstock Helped Secure Hundreds of Millions in Taxpayer Funded Government Contracts for Her Clients. "But some of Comstock's past work helping clients secure hundreds of millions in government contracts is precisely what Democrats plan to target on the campaign trail." [The Hill, 8/06/14] "Comstock pushed client's issues, didn't disclose." "From 2011 to 2013, Republican Virginia state legislator Barbara Comstock shepherded a trio of bills that were opposed by labor interests through the legislature and into law... But Comstock never officially disclosed that all the while, she was being paid thousands of dollars by the Workforce Fairness Institute, a well-heeled conservative group that listed the issues advanced by the Comstock-sponsored measures among its legislative priorities." [Politico, 10/8/14] Comstock Failed to Disclose Clients in "Apparent Breach of Congressional Ethics Rules." "Northern Virginia congressional candidate Barbara J. Comstock failed to report that a public-relations company she owns took in a total of $85,000 in 2012 trying to help Mitt Romney become president, an apparent breach of congressional ethics rules." [Washington Post, 9/5/14] Foust Balanced Seven Budgets. On the Fairfax Board of Supervisors, Foust balanced seven budgets. [Fairfax County Budget Documents, FY2008-2014] Foust Cut Millions on the Fairfax County Audit Committee. As the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Fairfax Board of Supervisors, Foust helped Fairfax County save millions. [Fairfax County Budget Documents, FY2008-2014] Foust Saved Over $3 Million By Extending the Computer Replacement Cycle. In FY2010, Foust helped save more than $3 million by extending the computer replacement cycle from 4 to 5 years in Fairfax County. [Fairfax County Budget Documents] Foust Saved $2 Million By Delaying Vehicle Replacements By One Year. In FY2010, Foust helped save $2 million delaying the majority of vehicle replacements for the Fairfax County fleet for one year. [Fairfax County Budget Documents] TNS 18EstebanLiz-141025-30FurigayJane-4912762 30FurigayJane (c) 2014 Targeted News Service |
