Tax hikes all over the place!

[red92s]

Back home in Atlanta, the Mayor is pushing for an across-the-board property tax hike. Here in MA, there is currently a sales tax increase making it's way through the system, and a gas tax increase proposed by the governor. I'm sure many, many cities, counties, and states across the country are considering similar measures.

I understand there is less tax revenue coming in due to less consumer spending, creating budget shortfalls. It really irks me that while consumers are trimming expenditures, reducing consumption, and finding every way possible to cut their bottom line, these branches are spending more time and effort trying to increase revenue instead of cutting expenses. Yes, cuts have been made within many government organizations, but I have a hard time believing they are as lean as necessary. Most were so bloated to begin with they are probably now reaching levels they should have operated at pre-recession.

I suspect for a lot of people, the Obama income tax breaks for "stimulation and spending" will be entirely offset by increased taxation on the state and local levels.

[arthurb999]

Government run anything is a disaster.

[Scanner]

You should be thankful that states just can't go into debt like the US gov't can - they have to raise taxes when their are budget shortfalls.. Of course, the US gov't can always just borrow and give it to the states, creating the same effect.

My state NJ is currently debating furloughs for state employees like California. I am glad to see that's on the table.

There is also another problem besides deficit spending present in our country. . .it's the "I earned it and want it back" mentality forwarded and championed by Conservatives.

When there are budget surpluses, you always see Conservatives campaigning on how the people earned that money and they should get it back in the form of a tax rebate.

Never mind having the state (or the US) Treasury saving it for a rainy day. . .because it will rain someday. . .so they don't have to raise taxes. That's what a good government does. . .create a certain amount of cash cushion. But the Conservative mantra has been to just give it back to the people to spend it on Ho-ho's, Coors Light and Tatoos.

Yeah, that's the ticket. . .it will "stimulate" the economy.

Well. . .here we are . . .it's raining. And now we are complaining we have to raise taxes.

I hope the Ho-ho's, Coors Light and Tatoo's were worth it.

[boosami]

I suspect for a lot of people, the Obama income tax breaks for "stimulation and spending" will be entirely offset by increased taxation on the state and local levels.

You are totally right. The really bad thing is that is has low visibility compared to the tax breaks. The hard hits from state and local taxation come in the form of property and sales tax, neither of which are paid when you file your tax return. A $8,500 credit will look great when you file, because you don't have the $10,000 of increases itemized in front of you from increases in sales/property tax.

[red92s]

When there are budget surpluses, you always see Conservatives campaigning on how the people earned that money and they should get it back in the form of a tax rebate.
.

My dad is the director of a division within the federal government. When the end of their fiscal year rolled around and they were several million under budget, they'd find ways to spend it because coming in under would mean a reduction for the next year.

Now that their budget has gone down 50%, they could have easily covered the shortfalls with cash on hand from previous years if they were not more or less forced to spend as much as possible in previous years. So now, they have to cut heads and service, in an area of research that is being faced with some um . . . pandemic . . .issues to address.

Anyways, I understand there are some "fixed" costs that can't be easily cut on the state and local levels. I can get rid of cable television, go to a cheaper salon, and shop the bargain isle to reduce my expenses. People are not generating less trash, requiring less elementary education, or making fewer potholes because their discretionary spending has dropped. But, as the articles and stories posted here prove, people are getting pretty creative in their cost-saving strategies . . . I'd like to see Gub'ment do the same.

[Scanner]

Yes, I understand. . .that's why I said furloughs are a great idea IMO and one that should be implemented as a cost-cutting measure.

I blame the Conservatives for some of the mindset but Liberals are just as guility.

Budget surplus?

Conservative: Bribe the people with a tax rebate for votes
Liberal: Spend it on a program

It just never occurred to former President Bush when we had the budget surplus in 2000 to pay down some of the National Debt (while we are mixing federal and state policy here), which is almost the same as "saving it for a rainy day."

Well. . .here we are.

Let all who work for government take a "furlough" to think things over.

[m3racer]

When there are budget surpluses, you always see Conservatives campaigning on how the people earned that money and they should get it back in the form of a tax rebate.

At least that's better than the liberal Demorats who want to give back money the government doesn't have.

[m3racer]

But the Conservative mantra has been to just give it back to the people to spend it on Ho-ho's, Coors Light and Tatoos.

Yeah, that's the ticket. . .it will "stimulate" the economy.

Well. . .here we are . . .it's raining. And now we are complaining we have to raise taxes.

I hope the Ho-ho's, Coors Light and Tatoo's were worth it.

That would also be the liberal Demorat mantra.

BTW, I'm an independent that despises govt waste.

[m3racer]

Let's face it. our country is run by moronic Demorats and Repubafoons that don't know their head from the ass.

[m3racer]

Let's face it. our country is run by moronic Demorats and Repubafoons that don't know their head from their ass.