Thursday - May 31, 2007

Hamilton County Commissioners Override Voters 

Hamilton County voters rejected a hike in the county sales on November 2006 to fund a new jail.  As a hardcore conservative, I was somewhat torn at first on this issue.  But the bottom line was that the county commissioners could have built a new jail if only they had put the finances of the county in order.  Instead, they they took the tax route and the voters rejected it.

Yesterday, the Hamilton County Commissioners rejected the voice of the voters only six months later, approving a half cent increase in the county sales tax to 7 cents.

Here are the problems with this move by the Hamilton County Commissioners:

• The voters spoke in the last election.  That means you create a solution to the problem that doesn't contradict the will of the people.  You don't disregard the will of the people.

• Hamilton County will have the highest sales tax rate in the Tri-State area.  How many people will now drive to Northern Kentucky or Southeast Indiana to buy high ticket items?  Great plan to drive more business out of the Cincinnati area and out of the state.

•  There is no doubt that there will be a referendum created to override your blatant disrespect of Hamilton County voters.  And when the voters reject this tax, what will you do then?  Of course, you will be forced to find the money elsewhere and make the difficult choice.  

Passing this tax increase was the easy way out.  No hard choices.  No living within your budget.  Just pass the burden on to others. 

Cincinnati and Hamilton County voters remember what happened to those who passed the sales tax increase for the Bengals and Red's stadiums.  The cost overruns, the horrible contracts, and the end of the political career of Bob Bedinghaus.  Maybe the two commissioners, Portune and Pepper, both Democrats should keep the fate of Bob Bedinghaus in mind.

Trackposted to Perri Nelson's Website, The Amboy Times, DeMediacratic Nation, stikNstein... has no mercy, and High Desert Wanderer, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

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