City Council Democrats vote in favor of raising property taxes.
Last week, the Democrats on Cincinnati City Council carried out their first high-profile move since the 2017 elections: the tax hike for the middle class. The 7-2 vote approved an increase in property taxes for the reconstruction of the Western Hills Viaduct, the improvement of fire stations and other projects. Once again, the leaders of Cincinnati have chosen to take more of your money instead of reorganizing priorities and assuming financial responsibilities. There is a good side, however: if you have to complain to the council about the tax hike, you now have a tram that will get you there in no time as long as you live on the 2 mile route.
We all know the democratic discussion points about taxes by now: You will stand up for you, the “little guy”, by raising taxes for the rich. Maybe the Cincinnati Democrats didn’t get this memo …
The councilor’s increase in property tax was only opposed by its two Republicans, Alderman Amy Murray and Alderman Jeff Pastor. It was unanimously supported by the Democrats, including the so-called middle-class champions Chris Seelbach and PG Sittenfeld.
The Democrats in the Council defend their vote as a necessity to pay for important projects. While it is almost universally recognized that projects like the Western Hills Viaduct are badly needed, one has to bury one’s head in the sand to believe that the city cannot cater to those needs without paying taxes to Cincinnati’s middle class increase. One way to pay for things without raising taxes is to listen to Republicans the next time Democrats want to install a toy train to keep the urban hipsters on the OTR weekend. Democratic delusions are fun for a short while, but financial realities always play a role, usually in the form of a Democrat-backed tax hike.
It’s one thing to support the tax hike, but another if you and your party keep repeating the chorus that it’s the GOP that wants to raise middle class taxes. In a recent CNN debate between Senators Ted Cruz and Bernie Sanders, Bernie repeated the weary phrase that Republicans want to cut taxes on the rich. Ted Cruz replied: “Democrats talk about taxes: it’s a tax cut for the rich. And they say it over and over in response to everything. The most important thing you need to know when you are at home is when they say rich, they mean taxpayers. Every time they say “rich” they mean taxpayers. ” Cincinnati agreed with Senator Cruz.
“The city council’s property tax hike has only been opposed by its two Republicans, Councilor Amy Murray and Councilor Jeff Pastor.”
An increase in property taxes does not only affect “the rich”. It affects anyone who pays for their living expenses (or in other words, everyone). If you own a home, whether you are rich or poor, your taxes have just gone up. When you rent, there is little doubt that your rent will go up to pay your landlord’s higher bills. The tax hike could even raise prices at your favorite Cincinnati restaurants and shops, as those business owners now have to factor in the extra money the city council pulled out of their pockets.
Jeff Pastor, one of only two Republican councilors, said it best on Twitter:
This tax hike will affect everyone: the rich, the middle class and the poor. Ultimately, it will hurt the middle class and the poor the most. Cincinnati City Council progressives have no problem telling you one thing to get your vote and then another, but they usually try not to be so open about it. How long does it take for Cincinnati to wake up to the realization that if Democrats promise to raise taxes on the “rich,” they promise to raise taxes? Your Taxes?
Democrats can make you feel warm and fuzzy inside by promising that they will take care of you. Democrats may have the candidates you want to have a beer with. Democrats can say that Republicans only care about the rich. The simple truth, as the Cincinnati Democrats’ recent tax hike shows, is that Republicans are putting more money in your wallet whether you’re rich, poor, or in between.
Follow this author on Twitter: @KyleKirker
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