You choose
Published: April 10, 2008
We don’t particularly like the idea of the quarter-cent sales tax for Rockingham County. And, as we’ve said here before, the issue isn’t likely to pass. When people vote May 6, they’ll be asked whether they are for or against an increase to the sales tax. If people haven’t studied the issue, and know the money will be targeted at schools, which box do you think they’ll check?
But it’s the best available option, considering the circumstances.
With so many residents affected by recent corporate moves abroad and corporate downsizing – not to mention the flailing national economy – an additional tax will be met with disdain.
We agree with the tax opponents, who say families in Rockingham County struggle to buy groceries and other necessary items. Times are tough, and county government is addressing the situation with job cuts and other savings to balance the budget. But people who argue against an increase to the local sales tax by asking county officials to continue cutting services and positions—and to ultimately find the money to build schools and pay for deputies – are misguided. As a side note, 19 counties will ask voters May 6 to increase the local sales tax. Three counties are proposing a land-transfer tax.
The county has about $22 million remaining in its budget after state and federal mandates. And that money must fund the sheriff’s office, library and schools, among other things. Can more cuts be made? Of course, but they would be relatively minor and insignificant, particularly when money is needed for schools, libraries and an animal shelter.
Amazingly, the school board on Wednesday night suggested approaching the commissioners for a $60 million loan to build and repair the four county schools identified as most in need of repair.
The schools need the money… but asking the commissioners for $60 million? Really?
We fall on the side of fiscal conservatism, and we certainly don’t advocate feeding a bloated government. But opponents of the tax, as well as the school board, apparently, simply assume that money is available, and plans to generate revenue – i.e., the sales tax increase – are unnecessary.
If that’s the case, the opponents should locate that money and present their findings to the commissioners. Rather, opponents are railing against the tax in general terms without offering a workable solution. The county does not have the money to continue operating at its current levels—which is why the county manager has proposed cutting the budget—let alone funding school construction.
The alternative to the sales tax is an increase in property taxes. You choose.
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Reader Reactions
There were only two programs ($215k total) in the sheriff’s office among the $22 million in optional spending and they have been cut. The sheriff has made his sacrifice and shown great leadership. Now other departments must follow suit.
Your editorial presents many red herrings, phrases meant to scare the reader into assuming there are no other choices but new revenue.
This is simply untrue.
If the county can find more than $1 million to cut among its core programs, who is to say they cannot find another $1.6 million (the amount estimated the new sales tax will generate) if they really try?
School employees have informed us that the RCPSS does not issue a line item budget. The county already gives the school system more than $16 million. Yet no one has tried to delineate areas in that budget that may include waste, duplication and lack of necessity.
By default, governments are structured to continually grow. Otherwise their existence can be questioned. Is it any wonder the two largest employers in this county are tax-payer funded.
The sales tax in unnecessary, and here is why:
Our first argument:
People are making the wrong premises and asking the wrong questions. The premise is that there needs to be more money raised through more taxes. Reducing spending and limiting government is not an option that many people seem to be able, or willing, to consider. If there is a problem, more government is the avenue to solve it, they think. So the question becomes, what method is best to raise taxes? Once they are at that point, then the higher sales tax is deemed better than higher property tax. Ultimately, they get both… but they can always argue the property tax could be even higher.
Virtually all Democrats, and an increasing number of Republicans, have forgotten the principles of limited government.
A government dominated society that has tried to cure its problems through more government has never been able to tax and spend itself into prosperity and liberty. But, we keep trying.
Our second argument:
The point is that no tax increase is needed at all and anyone that makes excuses for why to tax is missing that point. We must do two things, 1)promote buying in Rockingham County to increase our sales tax revenue without raising taxes and 2) cut the county budget because it has room for cutting. By promoting any kind of a new tax (the candidate) is buying into the idea that there are no other ways to develop revenue and save money. If we keep raising sales taxes more businesses will chose to not locate in this county.
Vote NO to Local Sales and Use Tax on May 6.
Remember, it’s your money. Are you really under taxed?
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Stop the Hike
Vote No May 6
http://stopthehike.wordpress.com/
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