Democrats treat local government as Flyover Politics. So did I, until I decided to run for Commissioner of Revenue in Chesterfield County, Virginia in January this year. I’ve been on a steep learning curve since then, and I would respectfully submit that We Democrats need to change our approach and start paying attention to local politics and soon.
Before January 2017, I had no clue there was a Commissioner of Revenue, much less that it was an elected official. Once I’d answered “What does the COR do?” (implements and administers local tax policies by establishing assessments and determining what is taxable), I began to wonder why this was an elected position, because it sounds more like a regular job than a political office. It’s actually unique to the Virginia Constitution, which enshrines the fundamental democratic principle of separation of powers between the bodies who determine, calculate and collect taxes.
Given this information, you might think that competence overrides party affiliation. I certainly did, until I came across a couple of interesting data points. First, the COR has broad legislative powers, which includes the authority to file legal proceedings against taxpayers. That had a chilling effect on me especially since the current administration has validated hatred and discrimination of people who don’t fit the white male establishment mold (like my opponent). Second, did you know there is a Virginia Association of Commissioners of Revenue, which establishes positions on local and state taxation, so they can influence tax policy within the jurisdictions they serve? I didn’t either. And you can be sure that if there’s an association of elected officials, there are lobbyists advocating on behalf of special interests, including anti-government, tax-hating, Koch-funded organizations like ALEC, who are dead set on dismantling our democracy, quietly, brick by brick, in the back room of politics where no one is watching. Scary stuff.
Democrats need to step up, get involved and get elected at the local level for every elected office. If we show up, speak up, get involved and run for office, like I am, we can take back our democracy, one voice, one call, one step, ONE VOTE at a time.
Find a local candidate to support, where you live or in another jurisdiction. We’re all in this together. Who’s ready to join me for the ride of our lives?
#hughes4COR #letsgetlocal