lev·y / [lev-ee] 1. an imposing or collecting, as of a tax, by authority or force.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

SCHOOL TAX HYPOCRITES

After another failed school levy, one is inclined to ask this question. Why is it that those who voted "YES," don't send the school an equivalent amount of money? I am sure that the SW school system will gladly accept their contributions.After another failed school levy, one is inclined to ask this question. Why is it that those who voted "YES," don't send the school an equivalent amount of money? I am sure that the SW school system will gladly accept their contributions.

They do not contribute what they voted for others to pay, because they are "SCHOOL TAX HYPOCRITES." They want schools to be funded as long as someone else pays the majority. Likewise, due to the absurdity of allowing those who do not own property to vote on property taxes, many who promote increased taxes pay nothing. This would include renters, owners of tax abated commercial property, young voters living with parents, extended family sharing a residence, etc. Most disturbing is school personnel that promote more tax while living outside the tax district.

Stop vilifying overburdened homeowners. What a terrible message to send to young people. "It is more important for you to pad your budget to increase teacher and administrator salaries and benefits, than it is to concern yourself with your grandparents being forced from their homes by confiscatory property taxes."

Our politicians must be forced to change the unconstitutional tax mode being used to fund schools. The school tax hypocrites are preventing the very tax reforms that would fairly and fully fund our schools. Blame them for the failed tax levy. Frankly, it is time for the school tax hypocrites to put-up-or-shut-up. To still contribute nothing more, after you voted for others to pay more property taxes, is dishonest. It is as hypocritical as our unconstitutional tax code that unfairly distributes the tax burden.
 
Steve Mitchell
Zanesville, Ohio