June 17, 2010
Occupation Tax Redux, What’s the Reaction?
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) - Over 48 hours ago, council chairman Jim Insco advanced a reconstituted tax reform plan for the City of Huntington. He spoke softly and welcomed input. He knew a lot of negativity would fly in his direction. Actually, the initial opposition came from Tom Rottan’s morning talk show. The host suggested that the chairman had flip-flopped on his earlier on record position opposing the occupation tax, as proposed.
At large councilwoman Rebecca Thacker has not changed her mind. She plans to follow the will of the people who put her in office: She will vote against the occupation tax. Despite the proposed revision of the occupation tax to a $10,000 floor and a $100,000 cap, Thacker attested that public opposition remains strong.
“The public does not want it,” she said. “And, they voted us in here we didn’t [get elected] by ourselves.”
Thacker asked, “How could people support four children and pay the occupation tax? “That could mean food or medicine for those kids,” she added. As for the highest income earners in the city, “the rich live off their interest,” which would not be taxed.
When HNN inquired about supporting a 0.5% occupation tax, she paused, then, responded, “Maybe, but I doubt it. People don’t like taxes.” As for the city shortfalls, the woman in the chair wisely surmised, “We did not get in [this budgetary] mess in one minute; we’re not going to get out of it quickly.”
Thacker believes that passage of the occupation tax would lead to people leaving Huntington. The city has lost approximately 1,500 workers within the city limits, which has dropped user fee revenues, but passage of the occupation tax could potentially have higher income individuals and couples choosing to move away from Huntington.
Since the announcement Monday night, citizens have continued posting opposition on web sites.
More than one posting mirrors a, “We left, others will too.”
One or two, though, added perspective and a little creativity. Colorado Springs, Colorado, has been listed as a place where a decision not to increase taxes led to parks closed, police laid off, no night or weekend bus service, and two out of three street lights burnt out. The writer suggested “charging an extra fifty cents to people coming to a sporting event,” incentives to get people to move here and start businesses, and increasing downtown weekend events tied to Pullman Square and Harris Riverfront Park.
Huntington’s cutbacks do not go as deep as the Colorado Springs statement, but Mayor Kim Wolfe made an executive decision to close City Hall on Friday’s and the corresponding compressed four day work weeks to save funds.
Acknowledging these reductions, Ms. Thacker explained that the recession has forced trimming in her personal life as well. For instance, she and her husband “do not have as much money to go out and eat as much as we used to. We try to live within our means,” she said, emphasizing public opposition remains “very strong. They are already screaming about it. Just wait for the [continuing] outcry. They [citizens] still do not want it. They are not receptive to the occupation tax.” Nor would she would support a temporary user fee increase, which was an interim proposal.
SALES TAX WOULD NOT MAKE HER MAD
At this point in the tax reform discussions, Ms. Thacker would consider supporting only one --- the 1% municipal sales tax. Although Lawrence County imposes a sales tax, Thacker still shops at the South Point Wal Mart.
“It’s my choice whether I shop there, but it is closer to me . It doesn’t bother me to pay that tax. The 1% sales tax would not bother me in the least. It would not make me mad,” Thacker explained.
STREAMING COUNCIL MEETING ON INTERNET
Thacker does believe that both council members and the administration need to improve communication. As with council woman Frances Jackson, Thacker heard about the Mayor’s city hall closure announcement through the media. Both would like to be given advance notice of important decisions, particularly since it is frustrating for a constituent to call before a council member has been informed what the caller is criticizing or praising. Constituents, generally, think, “You’re on council, you should already have known.”
She has inquired of both the administration and council about another potentially cost effective service for constituents --- streaming over the internet the council meetings from the already in place camera used for telecasting on Comcast Channel 24. Thacker called this a technological boost, but added, not everyone can afford cable, others have satellite dishes, and still more live outside the Comcast service area.
HIGH SCHOOL FASCINATION LEADS TO GOVERNMENT SERVICE
Ms. Thacker traces her intense interest in government back to classes at Fairland High School. “I was fascinated with it,” she said. “I studied [government] more than the school wanted me to study it.”
When she began living in Huntington, Thacker watched the meetings on cable and attended some in person. That spark of fascination in high school eventually motivated her to run for office.
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
Occupation Tax Redux, What’s the Reaction?
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) - Over 48 hours ago, council chairman Jim Insco advanced a reconstituted tax reform plan for the City of Huntington. He spoke softly and welcomed input. He knew a lot of negativity would fly in his direction. Actually, the initial opposition came from Tom Rottan’s morning talk show. The host suggested that the chairman had flip-flopped on his earlier on record position opposing the occupation tax, as proposed.
At large councilwoman Rebecca Thacker has not changed her mind. She plans to follow the will of the people who put her in office: She will vote against the occupation tax. Despite the proposed revision of the occupation tax to a $10,000 floor and a $100,000 cap, Thacker attested that public opposition remains strong.
“The public does not want it,” she said. “And, they voted us in here we didn’t [get elected] by ourselves.”
Thacker asked, “How could people support four children and pay the occupation tax? “That could mean food or medicine for those kids,” she added. As for the highest income earners in the city, “the rich live off their interest,” which would not be taxed.
When HNN inquired about supporting a 0.5% occupation tax, she paused, then, responded, “Maybe, but I doubt it. People don’t like taxes.” As for the city shortfalls, the woman in the chair wisely surmised, “We did not get in [this budgetary] mess in one minute; we’re not going to get out of it quickly.”
Thacker believes that passage of the occupation tax would lead to people leaving Huntington. The city has lost approximately 1,500 workers within the city limits, which has dropped user fee revenues, but passage of the occupation tax could potentially have higher income individuals and couples choosing to move away from Huntington.
Since the announcement Monday night, citizens have continued posting opposition on web sites.
More than one posting mirrors a, “We left, others will too.”
One or two, though, added perspective and a little creativity. Colorado Springs, Colorado, has been listed as a place where a decision not to increase taxes led to parks closed, police laid off, no night or weekend bus service, and two out of three street lights burnt out. The writer suggested “charging an extra fifty cents to people coming to a sporting event,” incentives to get people to move here and start businesses, and increasing downtown weekend events tied to Pullman Square and Harris Riverfront Park.
Huntington’s cutbacks do not go as deep as the Colorado Springs statement, but Mayor Kim Wolfe made an executive decision to close City Hall on Friday’s and the corresponding compressed four day work weeks to save funds.
Acknowledging these reductions, Ms. Thacker explained that the recession has forced trimming in her personal life as well. For instance, she and her husband “do not have as much money to go out and eat as much as we used to. We try to live within our means,” she said, emphasizing public opposition remains “very strong. They are already screaming about it. Just wait for the [continuing] outcry. They [citizens] still do not want it. They are not receptive to the occupation tax.” Nor would she would support a temporary user fee increase, which was an interim proposal.
SALES TAX WOULD NOT MAKE HER MAD
At this point in the tax reform discussions, Ms. Thacker would consider supporting only one --- the 1% municipal sales tax. Although Lawrence County imposes a sales tax, Thacker still shops at the South Point Wal Mart.
“It’s my choice whether I shop there, but it is closer to me . It doesn’t bother me to pay that tax. The 1% sales tax would not bother me in the least. It would not make me mad,” Thacker explained.
STREAMING COUNCIL MEETING ON INTERNET
Thacker does believe that both council members and the administration need to improve communication. As with council woman Frances Jackson, Thacker heard about the Mayor’s city hall closure announcement through the media. Both would like to be given advance notice of important decisions, particularly since it is frustrating for a constituent to call before a council member has been informed what the caller is criticizing or praising. Constituents, generally, think, “You’re on council, you should already have known.”
She has inquired of both the administration and council about another potentially cost effective service for constituents --- streaming over the internet the council meetings from the already in place camera used for telecasting on Comcast Channel 24. Thacker called this a technological boost, but added, not everyone can afford cable, others have satellite dishes, and still more live outside the Comcast service area.
HIGH SCHOOL FASCINATION LEADS TO GOVERNMENT SERVICE
Ms. Thacker traces her intense interest in government back to classes at Fairland High School. “I was fascinated with it,” she said. “I studied [government] more than the school wanted me to study it.”
When she began living in Huntington, Thacker watched the meetings on cable and attended some in person. That spark of fascination in high school eventually motivated her to run for office.
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
