My Name is Crapo and I'm Running For...

Seriously. His name is Mike Crapo. He ran for and won a U.S. Senate in Idaho. The interesting thing, however, is that he receives more money from residents of the Virgin Islands than residents of the state he represents. Via the AP:

Crapo had received $39,000 from Virgin Islands residents by the end of the 2005-06 election cycle, compared with just under $20,000 from Idaho residents.

Lobbyists for the islands are trying to reduce the number of days a person must remain on the islands to be considered a resident, an issue that could have tax benefits.

Currently, under a 2004 act of Congress, individuals must spend at least half the year in the Virgin Islands to be considered a resident for tax purposes. Lobbyists would like to see that reduced to an average of 122 days per year over a three-year period.

Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, is looking into the issue.

"He's very much involved in the philosophy states should be able to determine states' business," Crapo spokeswoman Susan Wheeler told the Idaho State Journal. "And in the same vein, territories should be able to determine the tax benefits that bolster business and the economy."

Republicans in the pocket of lobbyists trying to set up tax havens for the rich? Unbelievable! I never would have guessed.

Mike Crapo Lobbying Virgin Islands