OPINION: Less spending better than new tax
Local governments all around Georgia are giddy about a looming 2012 vote for a new sales tax to be done by regions and that would be spent for transportation projects.
But if you listen carefully to how public officials talk about the new tax, you quickly realize that they’ve got it all wrong.
“Transportation act lays ground for funding,” read one headline. Proponents of the idea say it “gives Georgia an extraordinary opportunity to address some of the transportation funding challenges.”
But Georgia governments don’t have a “funding challenge” in transportation or any other area; the problem is a spending problem, not a lack of funds.
Rather than making choices, local governments over the last decade have been throwing money at everything and raising both the size and spending on bureaucracy. If governments would control their spending better, they’d be plenty of money for transportation.
The way this sales tax would work, however, raises even more issues. This will be a regional tax, so that even if Jackson County votes against it, if the overall region is for it, the tax will be levied.
Why would a county vote against the tax? In Jackson County’s case, there is a real fear that although local citizens may pay the tax, the Athens-Clarke area will suck up all the funds for itself. Jackson County leaders have a tendency to rollover for what Athens-Clarke dictates rather than fight for what is best for Jackson County.
In any event, this issues points out just how local government leaders view their finances — many local leaders believe they have a “funding problem,” but that’s not the reality.
It’s not a lack of funds for government that’s the problem, it’s that over the last decade local governments have become fat pigs with high salaries and benefits and a large bureaucracy.
Frankly, we don’t need a new transportation tax; we need more fiscally responsible leaders.
“Transportation act lays ground for funding,” read one headline. Proponents of the idea say it “gives Georgia an extraordinary opportunity to address some of the transportation funding challenges.”
But Georgia governments don’t have a “funding challenge” in transportation or any other area; the problem is a spending problem, not a lack of funds.
Rather than making choices, local governments over the last decade have been throwing money at everything and raising both the size and spending on bureaucracy. If governments would control their spending better, they’d be plenty of money for transportation.
The way this sales tax would work, however, raises even more issues. This will be a regional tax, so that even if Jackson County votes against it, if the overall region is for it, the tax will be levied.
Why would a county vote against the tax? In Jackson County’s case, there is a real fear that although local citizens may pay the tax, the Athens-Clarke area will suck up all the funds for itself. Jackson County leaders have a tendency to rollover for what Athens-Clarke dictates rather than fight for what is best for Jackson County.
In any event, this issues points out just how local government leaders view their finances — many local leaders believe they have a “funding problem,” but that’s not the reality.
It’s not a lack of funds for government that’s the problem, it’s that over the last decade local governments have become fat pigs with high salaries and benefits and a large bureaucracy.
Frankly, we don’t need a new transportation tax; we need more fiscally responsible leaders.
Also, I don't think we need this 1% LOST either. I hear proponents of LOST talk about how our property taxes will go up if we vote against it. Why can't we just have spending go down instead. That is never brought up or even considered until it is already too late.
Also, your poll to the right of this page is missing one candidate for Governor.
It's important to think regionally. "Divorcing" Jackson County from Athens is impossible, we're not an island. Regional transportation issues will continue to become more and more important.
For instance, look at the (relatively) new stretch of four-lane Highway 129. It's already beginning to deteriorate. The future of transportation is not fossil fueled automobiles.
I know I'll take a beating for having this opinion, so I remain,
Anonymous
P.S. Vote John Monds for Governor!
No new taxes. Throw the bums out!
I agree with idea of the replacement of the elected officials for more fiscally responsible people. Why don't we have any single candidate running for office, on a simple proposal of ending the property tax burden, rather than wanting to just add more taxes to us all ? Jackson Counties Citizens, are currently being taxed out of their houses & homes each year and in this economy we need better plans , than just tax & spend. Weather the money flows properly back to those areas who pay it, is an issue tied to those whom write the tax laws.
I for 1, am very tired of our current elected officials - whom sit idly by , holding literally hundreds of millions of dollars of cash reserves, according to their own Jackson County comprehensive financial statement, then cry to the taxpayers about their needs to tax us more, without any regard as to how all taxes effect all the counties citizen's, let alone a property owners ability, to continue to live here, without having to eventually sell off our property, before the tax office steals it & sells it at a tax sale. I personally know many people, that have been forced out of their homes & lands because of tax sales and also those, many that now work here but, must live elsewhere, due to the cost of Jackson County property taxes. It is time to return to Allodial Title ( rather than fee simple title ) to protect us from our government !
A SPLOST stylized tax , ( or Sales Tax ) is a correct method of all taxation, as it fairly spreads the burden of tax cost evenly – but , in its present form, it just lacks the comprehensiveness, of a property tax replacement.
It seems to me, that if we would switch, to a sales tax completely - in place of Any property taxes - we would all be in a better position to meet the spending needs of government, while fairly taxing all and not run families, farmers & businesses away from Jackson over the years.
Joe Woodall, Resident Of Jackson County
Georgia Adobe Rammed Earth & Renewable Energy
http://www.georgiaadobe.com
Office # 706-363-6453
No good and honest men want to associate with the policital theives and crooks that exist today. Politicians long ago were for the most part wealthy and did not get paid much for there job, if anything. They wanted to do what was right(and to some point help them make more money) for the common person. Now, politicians just want to make themselves rich at the expense of the common man.
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it’s natural manure." - Thomas Jefferson