03/07/05
I did not respond to the Ithaca Journal article of concerning the study/proposal of a Tompkins County income tax. No one is naïve enough to believe that this would relieve property tax increase for more than a year or two. However, I now read (Journal, Feb. 23), that we may have another addition on our school tax bill for the library. This would amount to a $35 a year fee for the average house in Tompkins County the first year if passed on a referendum.
As we all know, tax rates do change mostly upward. Tompkins County also funds the library system, and would like to create a separate line. We have a solid waste fee on our tax bill. There is a separate line for fire protection tax. Tompkins County still has a 4 percent tax on heating fuels. Sales tax funds the majority of the budgets of the towns and county. More than 50 percent of my income goes to pay local taxes, and I do not even own my mortgage free home. The school district or the county can seize my home if I do not pay their tax.
It never ceases to amaze me that governments who cannot manage to balance or live within their budgets expect the people who can or must live on a budget to bail them out.
This is a very difficult task for those of us on fixed or low incomes. I made the choice of lowering my thermostat another five degrees to pay my taxes. I have a novel idea for governments; make hard choices and spend less.
Ellen E. Ricketson
Enfield
originally published at http://www.theithacajournal.com/news/stories/20050307/opinion/2055092.html
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