News-Record.com

Bet I know your position on taxes, raise them. Why break a tradition. Still remember your endorsement of the sales tax on food. Folks its just a temporary tax! How long is temporary?

School board???

You are right, Doug Johnson. The N&R undoubtedly will endorse a tax hike, as usual. They'll endorse most if not all the bonds (another tax increase). And this fall, they'll endorse Democrats for all of the major offices.

You should thank me, Allen - I just saved you a lot of work.

Allen,

I don't see Guilford County Commissioners At Large listed.

DJ and just saying, these endorsements are compiled by two Democrats and two Unaffiliateds so do not expect conservative views to be represented.

Tony, we are endorsing in local races only where the primary determines the final outcome.

Doug:
To what food tax are you referring? And when?

Do you have any concerns about the informed voters who form their own opinions in spite of what the N&R says?

Trudy Wade and Mary Rakestraw as recent examples.

To the Keeper:
Not really. Our opinions are just that ... our opinions.
Your voice and your vote belong entirely to you. We encourage everyone to make use of them.

About 50 years ago. This was another temporay tax, hailed as the greatest thing since sex. If I remember correct, the NR said to do it for the kids.( Seems I see this a lot in Greensboro). All this years latter we are still paying this tax.

Well, 50 years ago I was 2 years old, so please pardon me if I don't hold myself culpable for that one.

Well, as several of us predicted, the N&R endorsed a platform of "Tax and Spend" yesterday.

Despite the economic hardships many folks are facing, the liberal N&R editors want us to approve hundreds of millions in new bond spending plus a sales tax hike. I guess they think the taxpayers have an unlimited supply of cash.

Just once, I'd like to see this paper endorse a strategy of fiscal responsibility. Not going to hold my breath on that one.

Doug, remember the "temporary" sales tax increase in 2001? The state sales tax went from 4.0 to 4.5 and was supposed to expire in 2003. Not until three years later in 2006 did they lower it to 4.25, but not back to 4.0 mind you. In addition, 78 of the 100 counties upped their sales taxes a half penny in 2002.

Now counties such as Guilford want to increase the sales taxes again!! Oh it's only 1/4 of a penny the proponents say, but as the N&R pointed out yesterday, that 1/4 penny adds up to $16 million more dollars confiscated from taxpayers. The N&R rightly pointed out that sales taxes are regressive, which places more difficulty on poorer individuals, but that didn't stop them from endorsing it anyway. So much for looking after the little guy.

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Just saying, notice how the N&R in a token fashion didn't endorse one bond yesterday? It is ironic how the same people who on one hand tell us how bad the economy is yet on the other hand propose confiscating even more money from cash strapped taxpayers.

Dan:
You're right. Sales taxes are regressive. This was a tough call for us, but we saw a small sales tax increase as a way of spreading a burden that tends to fall, time and again, on the shoulders of those who pay property taxes.

But people who pay property taxes also pay sales taxes. And if this dumb referendum passes, they'll pay even more.

Allen, your justification for it is like saying, "Well, I'm sorry you have cancer, but maybe if you break your leg, you won't feel quite as bad."

Dan, I noticed that, too. I also noticed that the one bond they opposed was by far the smallest. Of the hundreds of millions in proposed bonds, the N&R supported all of them except the $20 million one.

We felt the parks bonds could wait. We believed the other bonds were more urgent and would cost even more in the long run if they continue to go unaddressed.
That's part of how we got in this situation in the first place, by ignoring pressing needs until they reach the point of crisis.
As for the sales tax, it still can relieve some of the property tax burden because it raises revenues from a broader base, including nonresidents.

I see, if we raise the sales tax then property taxes will likely not rise again. Riiiight. They will all continue to rise as long as we continue to elect politicians hell bent of confiscating as much of our money as possible.

The sales tax hike is of little consequence of those with with the means to pay them. I still find it ironic that the so called champions of the poor propose sticking them with more sales taxes in the midst of an economic downturn of all times.

Luckily I live very close to a neighboring county. If Guilford raises it's sales tax I plan on doing more shopping elsewhere. I travel often to SC and VA and always fill the tank up before returning to NC, as we have the highest gas taxes in the South.

Look at the bright side just saying, at least the creators of these bonds had the foresight not to put swimming pools or the Civil Rights Museum on the bond list.

As for the sales tax, it still can relieve some of the property tax burden because it raises revenues from a broader base, including nonresidents.

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That would be true if the sales tax increase was accompanied by a dollar-for-dollar decrease in property taxes. But that's not happening.

The result is that Guilford County residents (including property owners) will see a net increase in taxes if this referendum passes.

We think we made responsible calls after weighing the informaition and interviewing proponents and opponents of various bond issues..
Of course, the beauty of the system is that you can all make your own calls at the polls. We encourage you to do precisely that.