April 22, 2010
Huntington Councilwoman Sees No ‘Win/Win’ in Occupation Tax Vote
Hard Decision for all Members of Council
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
(Editor’s Note: This interview was conducted PRIOR to the one with Steve Williams, Finance Committee Chairman of Huntington City Council.)
Huntington, WV (HNN) – As citizens continue to vehemently voice opposition to the proposed occupation tax, at least, one councilwoman candidly told HNN that she cannot see a “win/win” outcome for individuals regarding passage or rejection of the tax.
Frances Jackson emphasized that her calls from the community run overwhelmingly against the new tax. Many of them come from residents working in the city but living outside the city. They object due their non-receipt of city services or use of infrastructure to the degree of those living within the city limits.
As written, she said, threats to flee the city are moot; residency does not determine taxation. The one percent withholding is based on place of employment.
Weighing the options, Jackson promised to have her mind made up soon, even though “I hate to tax people.” Actually, the impact on individual household budgets versus city safety along with furloughs/layoffs caused her to conclude, “I don’t see a win/win as far as impacting lives” with this vote.
On one hand, she said, “it’s a necessity to keep [city employees] from being laid off and to keep the city safer and cleaner.” On the other hand, she refused to accept the stereotype “if you [earn] more, you can afford more.” Jackson thought specifically of a call from a man who moved to the city to take a job making about $165,000 annually. His tax would be about $2,000 a year or about $160 per month. “Passing it may economically hurt people. We don’t know about other people’s lives or their household [expenses].”
Jackson added, “This is going to be a hard decision not just for me, but all of us.”
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Huntington Councilwoman Sees No ‘Win/Win’ in Occupation Tax Vote
Hard Decision for all Members of Council
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
(Editor’s Note: This interview was conducted PRIOR to the one with Steve Williams, Finance Committee Chairman of Huntington City Council.)
Huntington, WV (HNN) – As citizens continue to vehemently voice opposition to the proposed occupation tax, at least, one councilwoman candidly told HNN that she cannot see a “win/win” outcome for individuals regarding passage or rejection of the tax.
Frances Jackson emphasized that her calls from the community run overwhelmingly against the new tax. Many of them come from residents working in the city but living outside the city. They object due their non-receipt of city services or use of infrastructure to the degree of those living within the city limits.
As written, she said, threats to flee the city are moot; residency does not determine taxation. The one percent withholding is based on place of employment.
Weighing the options, Jackson promised to have her mind made up soon, even though “I hate to tax people.” Actually, the impact on individual household budgets versus city safety along with furloughs/layoffs caused her to conclude, “I don’t see a win/win as far as impacting lives” with this vote.
On one hand, she said, “it’s a necessity to keep [city employees] from being laid off and to keep the city safer and cleaner.” On the other hand, she refused to accept the stereotype “if you [earn] more, you can afford more.” Jackson thought specifically of a call from a man who moved to the city to take a job making about $165,000 annually. His tax would be about $2,000 a year or about $160 per month. “Passing it may economically hurt people. We don’t know about other people’s lives or their household [expenses].”
Jackson added, “This is going to be a hard decision not just for me, but all of us.”
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Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
