The Rebuild of Alabama's Tax Burden: Why Rhett Marques Belongs Nowhere Near Washington

August 08, 2026 - Benjamin Franklin famously wrote in his 1758 essay The Way to Wealth that it would be a hard government that should tax its people one-tenth. When examining the record of Republican-in-name-only House District 91 Representative Rhett Marques, Alabama citizens already know the sting of a hard government. Now, he asks the voters of Alabama's second congressional district to send him to Washington. If Marques exports his fiscal policies to the federal level, the nation faces a severe economic crisis.

Marques voted for the 2019 gas tax hike, the largest tax increase in state history. Alabamians pay 31 cents more per gallon because of that vote, with an automatic one-cent increase scheduled every other year in perpetuity.

That measure is merely the tip of the iceberg. Consider his legislative footprint:

Gas Tax and Escalators: Marques opposed legislation that would have struck down the automatic perpetual tax hikes, while backing an initial 10-cent per gallon increase.

Local Sales Tax: During his Enterprise City Council tenure, a half-cent sales tax increase was enacted.

Tobacco Tax: He supported measures permitting taxes on cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

Lodging Tax: He sponsored legislation allowing localities to expand lodging taxes.

Vehicle Tag Fees: He proposed an 8-dollar fee increase on Coffee County vehicle tags.

Marques operates as a tax-and-spend liberal in conservative clothing. Consider how much money his policies have extracted from your pocket, and ask yourself what he will do with federal authority in D.C.

Christopher M Peeks

Reporter and Columnist

Alabama Political Contributor

First printed

https://www.tobsal.com/post/the-rebuild-of-alabama-s-tax-burden-why-rhett-marques-belongs-nowhere-near-washington

Opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Alabama Gazette staff or publishers.