Libertarian Party of Alabama nominee for Governor, Dr. James “Jimmy” Blake, says that the state should be phasing away from the 5 percent state income tax. Blake spoke with Alabama Today about his campaign on Tuesday.
“Long term, we need to start phasing out the income tax so that we are competitive with our neighboring states like Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Georgia,” Blake said.
The State of Alabama is projected to have a $2.5 billion budget surplus roll into fiscal year 2023 on October 1. Some advocacy groups are calling for the state to abolish its 4% sales tax on groceries.
“I think that is fine if you want to do that, but is that money going to actually get to the people, or is it just going to be pocketed by the grocers’ association?” Blake commented. “I am more interested in getting rid of direct taxes like the income tax. I am for stopping taxing food. We should never have started doing that.”
The Alabama Department of Commerce recently asked the legislature to renew the state’s economic incentives. Some critics of the paying of incentives for companies to locate or remain in Alabama have denounced economic incentives as corporate welfare.
“It is clearly corporate welfare,” Blake said. “We need to compete by having a favorable tax structure and creating the business environment where people want to locate their companies here. That includes having desirable schools.”
One issue that has been very discussed in southwest Alabama is a proposal to build a toll bridge over Mobile Bay on I-10.
“I don’t really oppose the concept of making people pay to use infrastructure,” Blake said. “My big problem with things like that is that they tend to go to special people. If it were openly bid, I would not be fundamentally opposed to doing that. One issue that I do have is that you just raised gas taxes, and then you turn around and ask people to pay to use infrastructure.”
The state legislature passed an $8.262 billion education trust fund (ETF) budget for fiscal year 2023, the largest education budget in state history; however educational performance for the state remains near the bottom of the country in recent test scores.
“I think we need to increase school choice in Alabama,” Blake said. “I am in favor of school choice whether that is vouchers or some other form. Charter schools can be a part of that if it is done right. I am for bringing market forces to improve education.”
Blake served on the Birmingham City Council from 1993 to 2001. Blake is a medical doctor. He has held leadership positions in both the Alabama Republican and Alabama Libertarian Parties. He is also a U.S. Air Force veteran who flew nuclear weapons-equipped F4 Phantom II fighter bombers during the Cold War while stationed in Great Britain. He has an undergraduate degree from Auburn University and a medical degree from UAB.
Blake will participate in a gubernatorial debate in Huntsville on September 25 with Alabama Democratic Party gubernatorial nominee Yolanda Rochelle Flowers. Incumbent Gov. Kay Ivey, the Republican Party nominee, is not expected to participate in debates.
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