Today's daily attack from the Raja camp on Democratic county exec rival Rich Fitzgerald ties the county drink tax to Fitzgerald's refusal to make Norquistian no-tax pledges. (UPDATE: Fitz strikes back by noting Raja fee increase.)

Team Raja is also urging supporters to vote in today's KQV online poll on the race, and so far (as of 11 am) he's up 2:1.

The full statement from the GOP campaign is after the jump:

Day 40: Rich Fitzgerald's support of the largest tax increase in Allegheny County history.

PITTSBURGH, PA -- NOTE: Over the next 40 days, the Raja campaign will be highlighting the trouble with Rich Fitzgerald's record and actions.

Questions for Rich:

1. Is raising taxes on small businesses a good idea?
2. How does raising taxes on small businesses create jobs?
3. Does he know what small business owners are saying?

Rich Fitzgerald has a history of supporting small business killing taxes such as the drink tax. Rich supported and voted for a 10% increase on all poured drinks in the county. This is a direct tax on small business owners who create jobs in this county. Even after initiating and passing this punitive tax increase Rich Fitzgerald continues to say tax increases are a viable option for county government if elected. (BOMA Candidate forum 9/8/11)

"This is another example of the way Mr. Fitzgerald thinks about government. He wanted more money for a bloated Allegheny County budget so he raised taxes on small business owners in an attempt to squeeze them of every dime that he could. It is indicative of his fundamental tax and spend mentality - James Genovese

What one small business owner had to say:

I hear about it every day. I'm by the airport and people who come in from out of town just laugh about it. And this is why businesses don't come here. Simply because they can't understand why one particular industry has been hit by this unfair tax." Steve Taylor – Owner of The Brothers Grimm.