Don't Reward Monroe County Democrats

The question is why would House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jeff Espitch offer his blessing to a food and beverage tax for Monroe County? What possible motivation does Governor Daniels have for supporting this legislation? Furthermore, have these two forgotten that Monroe County was a blue speck in a sea of red this past election and what’s more, it simply doesn’t make sense to reward Peggy Welch and other local democrats for their vocal opposition to republican reform. All the while, King Kruzan is wringing his hands in anticipation of the thought of getting his hands on another chunk of our local tax money. Local democrats have come out in full support of a food and beverage tax and they have suggested several methods of spending it once they get it.

After their failed attempt to get State wide legislation through this session they have now resorted to an end run with legislation allowing just a couple of counties to adopt the tax. The Supreme Court recently ruled against special legislation but the authors of this bill have made the argument that Monroe County is at a disadvantage when it comes to raising funds to finance projects because so much of Monroe County is nontaxable State owned property. The only disadvantage Monroe County currently has is being in the control of a group of like minded individuals that want to raise our taxes without any input from the local citizenry. No one really seems to know whether or not we need a larger convention center and if we have one will it be profitable or will it be another Buskirk Chumley? Do we really need a juvenile detention / treatment facility and a larger jail? Currently no one in our local government has the answers to these questions. If this tax is so good for us, let’s put it on the ballot as a referendum and let it be a government by the people, for the people.