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Say ‘no’ to sales tax increase
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Supporters of the sales tax increase are hoping to fleece Anderson voters. Several construction and paving companies have contributed more than $10,000 as of September 2008 to misinform Anderson voters.
The sales tax will not cover the project costs, which means higher property taxes. The Good Cents pro-tax Web site states that they will seek “alternative funding” if the projects exceed estimated costs, i.e. more property taxes.
There are 124 projects that they pray will cost $163 million. Their own Web site says that construction costs are rapidly increasing. What are the chances that all 124 government construction projects stay on budget? This county estimated the Anderson Museum renovation to cost $2.4 million. Actual cost was $4 million.
We don’t know how much our property taxes will increase this year, but we have been assured that they will be substantially higher. We will get that bill right after the election, when it is too late. We are dealing with an uncertain economy, an almost certain recession, and possibly increased federal taxes after the national election.
Yet companies seeking business with the county are littering the landscape with placards and billboards trying to pass a sales tax increase for their own benefit, not ours.
The pro-tax people claim that the sales tax increase will cost the average taxpayer about $67 per year, but it is actually $80 per year if no project exceeds its budget. That is $2,240 for a family of four over seven years, at best.
Vote no.
Kurt Gibson, Sandy Springs
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I am not completely sold on the sales tax increase, but I do realize that this is not a burden on just the residents of Anderson County. We have a lot of shoppers from Georgia that help wear down our roads. (Ride through the mall and just look at the tags). There are also a lot of out of town visitors in the Anderson area when Clemson has a ball game, or when there are concerts at the Civic Center. Maybe we should let the folks from out of town help pay for some of the road paving, etc. This is better than raising our property tax. At least, some of the people that do not pay property tax would be contributing something.
The projects are worthwhile and will lead to needed progress in Anderson County. I am voting yes and urge others to do the same.
in response to sophievoter
AH......They ARE raising our property taxes THIS year!!!! And what are they going to do with that money????? Probably fly all over the country in the name of economic development. Or spend it on some elaborate party at Sullivan's. Whatever Joey and his gang agree on is exactly what you and I will be paying for.
I will be voting NO for ANY tax increases at least untill i can get another job and more likely to afford the increase. With our home and land taxes increasing by an "unknown" amount I am concerned I could be taxed to death!. Also I would be more comfortable with new taxes if someone could explain why the current rate of taxation can not pay for up keep of the roads. I hear the proponents of the increase talk about our road conditions but I understand the increase will build the new east-west connector not repair current roads and bridges.
Unlike tax-and-spend politicians like Obama, Pelosi, Meadors, Dobbins and Floyd, I have no trust that government can manage the budget of 124 projects to prevent overruns. It's never happended, and never will.
Kurt Gibson is exactly right. This measure needs to fail. I am voting no and urge others to do the same.
Well said, Kurt Gibson!
All the propaganda, being foisted on the public by contractors and land owners, doesn't tell the whole tale. Let's look for guidance, as to what will really happen with this "seven year plan," to York County.
http://www.penniesforprogress.net/
York County began their penny sales tax projects in 1997. Guess what, after the six year term they had to pass ANOTHER penny tax initiative. Their initial $185,751,077 budget ballooned into ANOTHER $173,000,000 and will enslave them until 2011. Their six year plan turned into a 14 year tax. There is no guarantee they won't reach that milestone and have to pass another penny tax to finish the 39 projects they had slated.
We are talking about 124 projects. I agree with the writer, when in the history of the world, did government projects come in on time and on budget? Why is it other counties, the State of South Carolina, the federal government and private industry are all cutting back budgets and reducing spending; but, our leadership is wanting to increase our spending by $165 million dollars with the probability (if York county is a good benchmark) unfinished projects and cost overruns will require another penny tax after this one?
Our leadership is not guiding us with "good cents" or horse sense, but by a personal agenda of greed and self enrichment.
Again from the York County Penny tax plan:
http://www.penniesforprogress.net/199...
Of the 14 original projects begun in 1997, 5 are still under construction, 1 (Cottonwood Elementary school) is on hold, and 1 is still in the design phase. These projects, with an initial budget of $120.1 million of the original $185,751,077 and are still going on 11 years later. The 2003 penny tax added another 25 projects.
http://www.penniesforprogress.net/200...
Of those 25 only 1 is showing completed after almost 6 years. Do you see them following any order? You see projects completed or under construction, when above it on the list, projects are in design phase. I guess something in the "design" phase has techically "begun" before they moved to the next. Semantics can play a big role in deciding which projects are done and when. You see projects from the previous tax on hold while the new penny tax projects move on. Didn't the same laws controlling the projects and order in which they are performed pertain to York County and yet they seem to not be worried about it. If Preston and the "commission" don't adhere to the rules what are we supposed to do, sue them?
All these assurances by the Good Cents people is nothing more than unenforceable promises of "doing the right thing" when their past tells us they don't know what the "right thing" is. It isn't whether projects are good, needed or worthy, I just don't trust the motivation of those promoting it, managing it, or Joey Preston in general.
If they would run our state and fed gov like an actual business and quit wasteing our hard earned money, there would be plenty of money for projects like these WITHOUT a tax increase. I as a tax payer, am tired of being the governments "money tree"
Well said Kurt Gibson, we don't need any more taxes in Anderson County. I'm 40 yrs old and lived all my life in Anderson County and always shop here, but you can bet the bank on it if this tax passes I'll be going to Hartwell,Abeville , Greenwood Oconee County to do my shopping. So I hope other smart people in Anderson County will take a STAND and not be pushed into this tax and VOTE THIS DOWN.
Vote NO on this county referendum. I can barely afford to go out to eat in Anderson with the 8% sales tax already in place. Let's talk to the city about eliminating the hospitality tax! Oh, but I guess we have to pay for the $12 million parking garage somehow.
Well said Kurt Gibson! I will vote NO. BTW, I received a copy of the 2008 Tax Levy this week. According to my calculations, my County taxes will increase by approximately $200.00. Tax bills go out in a week or so. I can hardly wait to get it!
No-No-No-No-No-No-No-No-No-
Get your facts straight. No paving companies have given anywhere near $10,000.00, lies do not matter to folks like you. You can get a report of the contribution from the state ethics commission.
wwbrown
Just now on Tv they said Obama was going to raise taxes and spread the wealth, but at this time he was in Hawaii, I understand his grandmother is sick, but he takes his BIG Private jet. Not a small faster one that uses less fuel. If you think he is good for our country , you need your head checked out!
If the federal government initiates the Fair Tax Act, or any variation of a "pay at the register" solution to replace income tax, it will add another (proposed) 23% at the cash register. With the current 8% plus this 1% (with a pretty good chance, like York County, another in seven years) we could potentially be paying 1/3 of cash spent for the next 14 years, in taxes. A $100 purchase would then cost $133. Could happen.
As to the above BIG jet remark. Where would the press (1-2 from each network), his staff (at least 6-10 people), his security (at least 6-10 people), his entourage and family members (at least 1-2 people) and the attending jet personnel (at least 3-5 people) sit? He isn't spending your money or tax money, so unless you contributed to his campaign why would you care? I have no doubt which airplane was taken and other logistics, were handled by someone else anyway. If you want, we can find out who that person is and NOT vote for them for president. I bet Palin spent more on her clothes than Obama spent on this trip half way around the world to visit a dying grandmother. For all you know, he spent his own money.
in response to wwbrown
Could you direct our attention to where this report is available! All of the state ethics commission reporting is now available on line. It should be easy enough to point out where this report is. If it is not "anywhere near $10,000" could you tell us how much paving companies HAVE contributed. Thank you.
Voting NO.
This bill wastes money on new projects before dealing with the crumbling infrastructure that presently exists.
They just jacked up my property tax assessment 10% and now they want a 17% increase in the sales tax, no freaking way!
We took care of our incumbent council-critter in the primary, please take care of yours on November 4th.
eb
Do the opponents of the proposed 1-cent sales tax not realize that generating revenue in this way would be the best way for Anderson County residents? This is the only form of tax that would be paid with the help of non-residents, unless we put up a toll at the Georgia line.
With the proximity of Anderson to northeast Georgia, and their lack of a large city,(excluding Athens) it is a well-documented fact that millions of dollars are spent by Georgia residents in Anderson every year. Wouldn't y'all like the residents of Georgia to help us pay for our roads? I know I would.
Vote NO - This tax is pork at the lowest level of government. The primary reason for this money is for a new road that no one wanted in the first place. Spreading the "needs" around all areas of the county is just another way for each community to feel like they have benefitted. This is a great marketing ploy, but not to those that have been paying attention. The county cannot manage the current infrastructure that is in place. We should stop building roads when we don't plan for their long term maintenance. Approved by outgoing members of county council, we should be warned that we are heading down a road of limitless taxes.
in response to wwbrown
You have a bad habit of telling people they don't have their facts straight and then neglecting to provide what you claim are the correct facts. In your opinion everyone is a liar and couldn't possibly just be mistaken. "Folks like you", are a dime a dozen.
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