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I've read the columns here in the Darke Journal by the two state representatives for this area, Mr. Jim Buchy and Richard Adams where they have patted themselves on the back for passing the recent state budget.
My goodness! They point to the fact that it is so great for the populace but fail to point out a number of glaring omissions.
$2.7 million will be given in the form of income tax relief. However, they neglect to inform us that sales taxes amounting to $2.6 billion will be RAISED to replace that "gift". And as most readers know, sales taxes are regressive forcing those with lower incomes to pay out a larger percentage of their income on taxable items. It's their and the Governor's version of the old shell game.
Another feature of this new budget will affect those of you who will not be 65 by January. The Homestead Exemption as we have come to expect will not be the same for those who pay property taxes after that date. Bend over!
For over 10 years we've heard about the poor "job creators". "We need to give them tax breaks so that they will hire more people". Really? If that is the case, since the Republicans have had their way for all that time, shouldn't we have an overabundance of jobs and wealth for everyone? But, it never seems to work out that way. Those who received the incentive to produce jobs have simply pocketed the savings or purchased bigger homes, taken lavish vacations and thumbed their noses at those who are unemployed. The savings in the state budget for the person who receives over $250,000 will amount to $7000. How many people will they hire for that amount of money?
It is estimated that 80% of the tax breaks will go to businesses that have few people like a dentist or insurance agent or like myself, a private consultant. I'll take it, but I don't need any hirees, so Thanks! In other words the tax cuts won't do anything to stimulate jobs though the majority in the legislature want you to believe that. It has been shown that over half of the legislators themselves will qualify for this tax cut. Anyone besides me see a possible conflict of interest here? How would you like to vote on your own taxes?
Both representatives will tell you that more money will be given to schools this year. But, they leave out the hit that education took in the previous budget. So, thanks a lot, I guess. (It has been reported that since May of 2011, $1.3 billion in new school levies have been put up for votes in their districts across Ohio.)
Finally, the chickens are coming home to roost in that local governments are cutting services to the bone because of the shortfall in state funding. Their only alternative is to raise local taxes, so look out for future funding issues to be on the ballot while the rainy day fund sits in Columbus. They are known as the "Kasich taxes."
The "happy news" as put forth by these two fellows comes without full disclosure. Be wary of their pronouncements.
Respectfully,
Joseph Hammond
Minster, OH
I've read the columns here in the Darke Journal by the two state representatives for this area, Mr. Jim Buchy and Richard Adams where they have patted themselves on the back for passing the recent state budget.
My goodness! They point to the fact that it is so great for the populace but fail to point out a number of glaring omissions.
$2.7 million will be given in the form of income tax relief. However, they neglect to inform us that sales taxes amounting to $2.6 billion will be RAISED to replace that "gift". And as most readers know, sales taxes are regressive forcing those with lower incomes to pay out a larger percentage of their income on taxable items. It's their and the Governor's version of the old shell game.
Another feature of this new budget will affect those of you who will not be 65 by January. The Homestead Exemption as we have come to expect will not be the same for those who pay property taxes after that date. Bend over!
For over 10 years we've heard about the poor "job creators". "We need to give them tax breaks so that they will hire more people". Really? If that is the case, since the Republicans have had their way for all that time, shouldn't we have an overabundance of jobs and wealth for everyone? But, it never seems to work out that way. Those who received the incentive to produce jobs have simply pocketed the savings or purchased bigger homes, taken lavish vacations and thumbed their noses at those who are unemployed. The savings in the state budget for the person who receives over $250,000 will amount to $7000. How many people will they hire for that amount of money?
It is estimated that 80% of the tax breaks will go to businesses that have few people like a dentist or insurance agent or like myself, a private consultant. I'll take it, but I don't need any hirees, so Thanks! In other words the tax cuts won't do anything to stimulate jobs though the majority in the legislature want you to believe that. It has been shown that over half of the legislators themselves will qualify for this tax cut. Anyone besides me see a possible conflict of interest here? How would you like to vote on your own taxes?
Both representatives will tell you that more money will be given to schools this year. But, they leave out the hit that education took in the previous budget. So, thanks a lot, I guess. (It has been reported that since May of 2011, $1.3 billion in new school levies have been put up for votes in their districts across Ohio.)
Finally, the chickens are coming home to roost in that local governments are cutting services to the bone because of the shortfall in state funding. Their only alternative is to raise local taxes, so look out for future funding issues to be on the ballot while the rainy day fund sits in Columbus. They are known as the "Kasich taxes."
The "happy news" as put forth by these two fellows comes without full disclosure. Be wary of their pronouncements.
Respectfully,
Joseph Hammond
Minster, OH