Why Does Everyone Else Hate Verona?
The Rome Sentinel has a story about the negative implications of Verona's potential property tax winfall from Turning Stone. Adding a property worth almost $1 billion to the rolls will affect the distribution of sales tax. Verona would be given nearly twice as much in tax revenue as it would get before.
Instead of blaming Verona for wanting landowners to pay up, I blame Joe Griffo's ill considered plan to raise $25 million in taxes for a $10 million Medicaid shortfall. In fact, this does back to my point that tax is tax. Even though the 1.5% tax hike was 'for Medicaid' it ends up being a slush fund for a county that is unable to cut its budget in the face of a declining population and an overstressed tax base. I see it as fitting that we tax a casino where so many people around here on the government dole spend their money.
Instead of blaming Verona for wanting landowners to pay up, I blame Joe Griffo's ill considered plan to raise $25 million in taxes for a $10 million Medicaid shortfall. In fact, this does back to my point that tax is tax. Even though the 1.5% tax hike was 'for Medicaid' it ends up being a slush fund for a county that is unable to cut its budget in the face of a declining population and an overstressed tax base. I see it as fitting that we tax a casino where so many people around here on the government dole spend their money.
posted by RomeHater @ 11:08 PM
2 Comments:
At April 27, 2005 8:52 AM,
Anonymous said…
According to the census reports Oneida County’s population increased by about 600 people last year. We might be on a population increase.
Another problem for Verona would be state funding, if the casino waits to pay taxes for 4 years it will hurt Verona’s school funding. When they took the casino off of the tax roles they received more state funding. This actually brings up the point that if Verona gets its tax money and there state funding decreases that funding can move to another school district.
I actually commend Verona for doing this. Everyone else in this state pays taxes why can’t the nation?!
At April 27, 2005 9:04 AM,
Anonymous said…
Silly me, yes Griffo's caused allot of headaches for us in the county. The sales tax increase was a quick fix. I think many of the politicians in the county are lazy and want the easy way out. Instead of spending allot of time on adjusting the county budget they simply say “Let’s raise the sales tax".
Something really needs to be done in order to fix this problem. Just like the military that closes bases perhaps they could sae some money by consolidating some county garages. Just a thought!
Post a Comment
<< Home