It's Tax Time Again! I write this note just before I write a big check to Uncle Bush. The $128 billion budget surplus the Republican-led Congress and the Bush administration inherited in 2001 is now a deficit of at least $337 billion (and growing). We had a surplus because of the previous Democratically led administration's continuation of high taxing policies. Now we have the deficit because of the Bush Administration's feeble attempt at lowering of taxes combined with the very large increase in spending on very questionable items such as misguided invasions of non-threatening countries. Locally the Republican Governor along with the Democrat Mayor worked to help a major company where a good portion of the employees make six-figures, get a brand new facility paid for by the taxpayers just because the current one is "old". And the company (otherwise known as the Colts), gets to keep the majority of the profits generated by this new facility even though it is owned and maintained by the taxpayers. Don't forget, your Republican Hendricks County Council voted for this "additional" county tax unanimously because they get to keep some of it (with no purpose but just because they can have it). So it should be obvious by now, both the Republicans and Democrats will continue to spend, spend, spend and then tax, tax, tax. What can you do? If not for your sake, but for your children's and grandchildren's sake, support the ONLY party that will reduce wasteful spending and lower your taxes, the 3rd party on the ballet, the Libertarian Party. Consider that this is the beginning of a way for you, the taxpayer to "retake control" of your government. What can you do? · Vote Libertarian in the fall election The Libertarian Party has been slowly gaining support and is the only party (Outside the R's and D's) to consistently have ballet access in Indiana since 1996 in spite of the attempts to make it harder for 3rd parties. There are several Libertarians currently in office in Indiana and every year we strive to increase that so we can slowly start making a difference in the government to help you, the taxpayer take back control. Keep in mind, that while you read this note, the US deficit has grown by several million dollars. Dennis Derrick County Profits from Taxes? I read the recent article "Board president gives thumbs up on county issues" by Brenda L. Holmes. In that article the President of the Hendricks County Board of Commissioners, David Whicker, is reported to have said something that I find very disturbing. When praising the county Treasurer, Mr. Whicker reported that the county's interest revenue from last year totaled $2.5 million. This statement bothers me because it implies that the county has tens of millions of taxpayer dollars that it has invested. This money apparently is not needed for use by the county in its normal activities. The county has taken too much from our citizens and businesses over the years, and we should be asking when we are getting our refund checks. Yes, kudos to the Treasurer for doing a good job in investing this money, but shame on those who have taken it from us. These are the same people who recently increased our taxes to fund a new football stadium in another county. When is the county going to realize that we have been taxed enough? This practice of over-taxation is socially and fiscally irresponsible. Reinvesting in the people and businesses within the county will not only help them, but also will provide additional local revenues in the future. Instead we are going to see larger county budgets as the Councilmen try to justify having such an extreme excess of our money, and Commissioners that will spend whatever they are given in order to justify an imaginary need for more in the future. The county needs to cut tax rates, and to find ways to keep the budget under control. David Washburn H.B. 1400 - Hometown Matters? Why does State Representative Whetstone want to increase our taxes? He authored H.B. 1400 (called “Hometown Matters”) which would allow counties to implement “Supplemental Local Taxes” such as a local sales tax, food and beverage tax, and innkeeper’s tax. It also permits a supplemental local income tax. Most of the money (80%) from these taxes is to be placed in a property tax replacement fund. This sounds good at first, until you read the fine print. Counties can only access this money if they are free from any bonds, leases, or other debt obligations. It would take years for Hendricks County to pay these off, and in the meantime taxpayers would be paying these new taxes ON TOP OF property taxes. Additionally, the bill mandates that counties impose new property tax levies for such things as county probation services. That’s right: in the guise of property tax relief, it will actually increase property taxes (and add on new taxes). The bill doesn’t stop there, however. It would also require all funds received by counties from the motor vehicle highway account to be used for land acquisition. I thought private individuals were supposed to be landowners, not the government. This would open the door for eminent domain abuse. I guess Whetstone is one of the new breed of “Tax and Spend” Republicans. Please remember in November that there is a party in Hendricks County that is still, and always will be, fiscally conservative: the Libertarian Party. Sincerely, Todd Singer Chairperson, LP of Hendricks County |