Tax the Dog (and other crazyness)

CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY FEBRUARY 2, 2026

    WHEN VIRGINIA REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR GLENN YOUNGKIN LEFT OFFICE LAST MONTH, HE LEFT BEHIND A BUDGET SURPLUS OF $2 BILLION.

THE NEW DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR, ABIGAL SPANBERGER, WHO RAN AS A MODERATE, WANTS TO RAISE TAXES.

AS LUDICOUS AS IT SOUNDS, SPANBERGER WANTS NEW TAXES ON DOG WALKING AND GROOMING, GUNS AND AMMUNITION, STORAGE FACILITIES, DRY CLEANING, HOME REPAIRS, A NEW PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX THAT INCLUDES LEAF BLOWERS AND ELECTRIC LANDSCAPING EQUIPMENT, A DELIVERY TAX ON ITEMS FROM AMAZON, EATS, FEDEX AND UPS AND NEW INCOME TAX BRACKETS.

    WITH A LARGE DEMOCRAT MAJORITY IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE, SHE IS LIKELY TO GET WHAT SHE WANTS. THIS IS A CENTRAL PART OF THE DEMOCRAT PLAYBOOK. WHEN THEY HEAD GOVERNMENT, THEY ALWAYS WANT MORE OF YOUR MONEY, BUT THEY NEVER REDUCE SPENDING.

    I’M REMINDED OF RONALD REAGAN’S GREAT LINE ABOUT DEMOCRATS: “IF IT MOVES, TAX IT. IF IT KEEPS MOVING, REGULATE IT. AND IF IT STOPS MOVING, SUBSIDIZE IT.”

    GOVERNOR YOUNGKIN CUT TAXES AND GAINED A HUGE SURPLUS. GOVERNOR SPANBERGER WANTS TO RAISE TAXES, WHICH WILL HURT THE STATE’S PROSPERITY. I’M CAL THOMAS.