I would like to thank many of you for calling-in and sharing your concerns with me about rising electricity rates. I, like most Virginians, have seen my electric bill reach a record high, and I realize that most Virginians simply cannot afford such high costs for energy. Currently the power companies do provide several different payment options that can help reduce your bill, especially at this time of year when the cost and use of energy is at its highest. The Appalachian Power Company provides utility assistance to low income families and there is a Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program that may be able to assist you, or those that you know. You also have the option of requesting a payment extension if you ever find yourself in a situation where you are facing having your electricity shut off. You can visit the Appalachian Power Companies website, www.appalachianpower.com or call them at 1.800.956.4237 for further details.

1) Nearly HALF (about 47%) of U.S. households escape FEDERAL income tax because either their incomes are too low or they     qualify for enough credits, deductions and exemptions to     eliminate their federal tax liability. [Source:     http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/taxes/2010-04-07-income-taxes_N.htm?POE=click-refer] [See also:     http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/UploadedPDF/1001289_who_pays.pdf]
2) Most who escape federal income taxes still pay federal payroll taxes on Social Security and Medicare, and excise taxes on gas,     flying, alcohol and cigarettes. Many also pay state or local     sales, income & property taxes.
3) Top 10% of earners pay about 73% FEDERAL income taxes collected.
4) Less than 1% of FEDERAL tax returns (the wealthiest) account for about 35% of the income tax revenue.
5) About 3% of FEDERAL tax returns account for about 50% of income taxes.
6) Top 10% of STATE taxpayers pay more than 50% of state income taxes.
7) About 14% of STATE tax returns show adjusted gross income over $100,000, and they account for about 60% of Virginia     STATE income tax revenue.
8) Virginia's STATE income tax filing threshold is gradually increasing, and will be about $12,000 in 2012 (about $24,000 for     married filing jointly).
9) Increasing thresholds mean many more Virginians on the low-income end pay NO Virginia income tax. Increases in filing     threshold take 300,000 taxpayers off state tax roles
10) By many measures, Virginia is a relatively low tax, business friendly state, which helps to translate into more jobs and larger       tax bases.
11) Virginia also is one of the best managed states, which is a decent indicator that public services are provided efficiently at       ;relatively high levels.
12) A recent ranking by the Council on State Taxation on the degree to which states provide a fair, efficient and customer-focused       administration of taxes, ranks Virginia tied for second place with four other state