I'm not sure that I'm painted in the best light here. For one, the article does not explain why I thought the raise in taxes was "unwise and unnecessary."
Also, I don't like being portrayed as one who is "opposed" to something. I rather be presented as one who is pro economic growth and free market. Perhaps a better headline would be "Residents Request Wiser Spending." Or, if I am going to be on the defensive, "Matt Opposes Socialistic Spending."
But be it as it may, when you stand for what is right, you will be opposed to what is wrong. At least it does capture a bit of my wit! I can't wait to read the comments!
To any extent, here are the comments I made at the meeting:
Before I begin I would like to thank the commissioners for all of your work and for your faithful service to Ashland County. I know that your job is perhaps one of those thankless jobs. I want you to know that your work does not go unnoticed and is appreciated. Most especially I thank you for taking the time to hear the voice of the community on this issue.
And it is for the greater benefit of Ashland County that I rise to speak tonight. On behalf of the greater economic welfare of Ashland I would humbly urge you not increase the existing sales tax. I urge this because raising taxes would be both unwise and unnecessary.
Raising the sales tax would be unwise for a variety of reasons. The most significant being the current state of our local economy.
As you are well aware, our governing bodies are not the only ones facing an economic crunch. The radical increases in gas prices have affected us all. It has not only increased our payments at the pump, but it has affected our payments all across the board—from the milkjug to the telephone. To be sure, we have not seen the end of the line. The market will most certainly continue to adjust to the rising cost of producing and transporting goods.
As a result Ashland households are already unable to purchase as much as we once did. If you would choose to increase the cost of these goods even more, by adding further taxation, that will only cause us to purchase less than we already are. I’m sure you see that the economy of Ashland is going to be facing some troubled waters. I’m sure then that you also see that it would be foolish to add to the burden.
But while you consider the current state of our local economy, do also take into consideration the impact of our upcoming elections.
It is no secret that our government on a national level has no intent of relieving our economic woes. Congress continues to block the easy flow of oil in our nation. I’m sure you are also aware that neither of the two major presidential candidates have any intent of helping our financial state. If you have any understanding of their policies you know that they are only going to add to our tax burden and continue to choke our economy.
Given these matters—that of our current economic state and the future of America at large—I think that you can see that it would not be in our best interest to raise our taxes at this time.
But not only is it unwise, it is unnecessary.
Additional taxes is not needed because the county has enough money to do its job. The problem is that the county is doing more than its job. That is to say it is currently funding projects that are in excess of what our state requires. By this I mean things like Heartland Home, the Council on aging, the OSU Extension, Family and Child first council, and Agriculture Societies Soil Conservation Service. While permitted by the state of Ohio laws, these are not required. And the money designated for these could easily be used for your required line items, while the free market and compassion /charitable entities fill in where needs develop.
The glory of this great nation is that people have the freedom to stand and fall on their own merits. You have the freedom to succeed and to fail. Moreover, to have the government impede on the private sector amounts to nothing more than a mass redistribution of wealth.
Do be aware that as a Christian I am not opposed to "Rendering to Caesar what is Caesar's," but not a penny more.
In essence, raising taxes ought to be a last resort. Just as a private citizen must exhaust all possible means of his own before knocking on a neighbor’s door for help, so too must our governments exhaust all possible means before reaching into the taxpayers’ wallets.
I do understand, as well, that these expenditures were probably not approved by this group of commissioners. I certainly do not fault you because I know that these excesses were most likely added by your predecessors. But in a time when all of us must consider what excesses we need to cut, I would encourage you to do the same.
I’m glad to hear that you were able to make cuts in your budget in previous years and in looking to next year. I commend that and applaud your work in that regard. And that gives me good hope that you will continue to be wise stewards of the money you have and continue to look out for the economic welfare of the people of Ashland.
Again, your work is truly appreciated and I thank you for taking the time to listen. All of you will be in my regular prayers.
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