Tax Increase Cometh
Museum Square finally got the bailout they needed, courtesy of Rod Blagojevich signing into law a special bill to allow a public vote on a sales tax increase in Peoria County.
This will pass. The grumbling in my gut tells me more people support this project than not, with most people being apathetic. The tax increase (unknown, but estimated to be .25%) is not enough to turn off the apathetic ones who will then vote for it. In addition, the vote will likely take place in April when voter turnout will be extremely low. The Museum folks will barrage us with commercials, rally their troops, and *poof* – we now have an Imax.
But here’s where it gets interesting. The tax is for “public facility purposes,” not specifically Museum Square. Already there is talk about who else will get a slice of the pie, with Bellwood Nursing Home apparently a top contender. Who else will get their hands on some cash? Time will tell, but I can feel groups all across town salivating at the thought. Considering temporary taxes are never temporary, my advice to others looking for cash, and there are many – take a number.
November 21st, 2008 at 8:59 am
I’ll say the same thing here that I said on Journal Star…
1. This is a sales tax. Peoria county is not footing the bill. Anybody who shops in Peoria County is footing the bill: East Peoria, Morton, Pekin, Germantown Hills, Washington, Metamora, Canton, Farmington, Kewanee, Galesburg, and most importantly… Creve Coeur.
2. Do you have any idea how small .25% is? This year when you go to Sherman’s and buy your $2000 bigscreen TV, hopefully the extra $5 you have to pay doesn’t ruin Christmas. Yes, $5 on a $2000 purchase.
November 21st, 2008 at 9:40 am
I agree it is a very small amount, but if I have to help pay for this museum, I suggest some of the money go to other deserving fundraisers. The Children’s Home and the Children’s museum immediately come to mind. Possibly even the side by side Kellar rail/trail? Hopefully this tax does not fund continuing operations of Museum Square, as I fear it may.
November 21st, 2008 at 9:46 am
I meant Family House, not Children’s Home, but heck, maybe the Children’s Home needs a new facility too.
November 22nd, 2008 at 12:50 am
Scruff,
0.25% may sound small, but it represents DOUBLING the current Peoria County Sales Tax!!
As for this being just a little tax increases: a death by a thousand cuts is still a death.
November 22nd, 2008 at 12:27 pm
I got to say PI, I’ve got mixed emotions with regard to the tax increase. I’m not sure if I’m for it or against it. However, as a sales tax increase I’m more likely to bite then if it were a property tax. I can get behind and support the “idea†of a museum and I don’t really mind financially supporting the effort but I’m in full agreement with the need for an end date in temporary taxing. I don’t like getting sucked into acceptance by the promises implied by the word “temporary†only to find it’s a never ending tax either.
My business sense says this economy needs stimulation and while I don’t really believe that a museum will help much it won’t hurt and it at least shows some initiative. In the short term it’s going to generate jobs to build it and staff it once it’s here. Will it support itself once it’s operational? Well, that’s the question of the hour. Perhaps it will be nothing more than a financial burden and like the civic center require public support to stay afloat but is this entirely a bad thing? Jobs generated lighten the burden on our social welfare programs and I can respect recipients of a paycheck from a rubber band stretching job created for the sole purpose of giving work to the unemployed more so than I can respect the recipients of a welfare check. Does that make any sense?
Perhaps I’m wrong but since I don’t have any better answers I’m going to take a wait and see stand on this one. I respect your opinion and appreciate this challenge to think on it.
Christi
November 23rd, 2008 at 9:09 am
Sure, it’s such a small amount, it won’t hurt anyone. Guess what? All of our taxes, when taken individually, are small. But collectively, they add up. Instead of paying 10% on your evening meal at a nice restaurant, you’ll be paying 10.25% or possibly 10.5% depending non how much money the museum needs from the county. Compare that to the tax rate across the river, and you’re just putting Peoria businesses at a greater and greater disadvantage.