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GOP slams county Democrats for proposing tax increase

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BY DEENA WINTER / Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, Jun 19, 2008 - 05:24:20 pm CDT

Republican Party officials slammed county Democrats for saying the city of Lincoln should seriously consider a property tax rate increase to adequately fund city services.

At their county convention earlier this month, Democrats approved a resolution urging city officials to consider a tax increase to help fund the budget and properly care for its streets, sidewalks and parks.

Mark A. Fahleson, chairman of the Lancaster County Republican Party, called on Democratic candidates for the Legislature and County Board to “stand up for Lincoln families” and oppose the resolution, as well as another supporting resident college tuition rates for children of illegal immigrants who graduate from Nebraska high schools.

Fahleson said Lincoln isn’t in a budget crunch because it hasn’t taxed people enough, but because it “spends too much.” He could not, however, name a single budget cut the city should make.

The chairman of the county Republican Party, Dallas Jones, said Democrats are showing arrogance by saying “we know better” than the 84 percent of Lincolnites who said “no” to a property tax increase in a recent city survey.

When asked how the city should fund priorities, only 16 percent said increase taxes. More than one-third said cut from lower-priority areas, and 42 percent said find another way, such as by finding efficiencies.

Fahleson said it was a “slap in the face of Lincoln residents” for the Democratic Party to suggest otherwise. He said a tax increase should be a last resort if there’s no other way to fund bare essentials. They wouldn’t comment on the Republican-dominated County Board’s plans to increase taxes to pay for a new jail.

Eric Aspengren, coordinator for the Lancaster County Democratic Party, said Republicans on the County Board have been raising taxes for years, but the Republicans don’t talk about that.

“I suggest that the Republicans talk to their County Board members about tax relief. They’ve been irresponsible with that money,” he said.

The County Board has raised its levy five times since 1997, lowered it four times and left it alone once. The city property tax rate has dropped from 52 cents per $100 of valuation in 1995 to 29 cents now.

Aspengren said the county Democrats aren’t saying the city has to increase taxes, but should consider it an option rather than cut essential services like firefighters, police, pools and parks.

Reach Deena Winter at 473-2642 or dwinter@journalstar.com.


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Angy wrote on June 19, 2008 6:59 pm:
" I'm a Democrat and do not agree with raising taxes. Much better may be getting rid of some of the dead weight that I sometimes see. On more than just a few occasions, have noticed at the Burger King across the street from my office that city employees often seem to spend over an hour there around 10:00 and then again at 2:00. My "coffee" breaks are lucky to last a minute or two at most. Taxes may not feel quite as bad if we got some service from them. "

 Rog wrote on June 19, 2008 8:06 pm:
" Does any city employee ever put out any effort let alone work? "

 Gene Hogan wrote on June 19, 2008 8:07 pm:
" Mr. Asprengren is absolutely right about the resolution from the County Convention. This is yet another example of the local chapter of the GOP being lazy with the facts to cover up for running mediocre candidates in elections. "

 Joseph P. Sokolovsky wrote on June 19, 2008 8:17 pm:
" Get ready my fellow Nebraskans...."if" Democrats are elected on a local and nationa level...in particular the White House...the tax "bite" out of your income, and that of small businesses will increased...gurantee it!!
You see...this is part of "the big change" Obama and all Democrats are talking about!! "

 JT wrote on June 19, 2008 8:26 pm:
" I'm going to "slam" Republicans for not having anyone under 30 who wants to be in their party. "

 sorry i am a republican wrote on June 19, 2008 9:03 pm:
" The all Republican County Commissioners last year gave us tax payers a bond issue ( resulting tax increase) for a horse barn at the event center. The horse barn serves very few persons; especially Lincolnites who pay 90% of the County taxes. Yet the Republican party claims candidates should oppose funding City services that are used by many. I think the candidates should force the county residents pay 100% of the county road snow removal instead of relying on City tax payers to pay 90% of that cost. "

 Ron Buchinski wrote on June 19, 2008 9:17 pm:
" How is Lincoln's non-private ambulance response service working out? I left 4 years ago and this was to be a cash cow. "

 JR wrote on June 19, 2008 9:34 pm:
" Well, Joseph P. Sokolovsky, I think no matter what party gets into office, we are going to see a tax increase. Many on the right claim the Democrats are tax and spend liberals. Well, the Republicans have become no tax and spend ... spending this country into the ground. Now, what do we do about it? Remember, it was a Republican President AND a Republican Congress who got us into this mess. I for one don't want to pass this mess on to my kids and grandkids. I may have not fought in the big war, but I still think I can do something for my country. And voting for more corporate and big oil welfare is not one of the things on my list. City taxes are less here than in over half of the country. So I, for one, am willing to spend more to make Lincoln and this country a better place. Why aren't you? "

 hey ron wrote on June 19, 2008 9:47 pm:
" That ambulance service "cash cow" was turned into hamburger and eaten up years ago. Great point that the dems were all crazy about the city taking over the ambulance service and look where it is now. "

 Mike wrote on June 19, 2008 9:56 pm:
" My favorite part was the Republican guy was asked what to cut and didn't have an answer - color me shocked! "

 DogHouse wrote on June 19, 2008 10:36 pm:
" Where's the civility in our city? I'm tired of Democrats, Republicans, press releases and sound bites! I suggest the focus be on our leaders that are strong enough to rise above the politics and acknowledge everyone's ideas as an option. The others need to go! We have much to be proud of: a low cost of living, a research university and an educated work force; but in the last 10 years the politicians have done little that will keep my children here after college. Creating jobs and additional private investment across the city is important; but, parks and trails are important too. We'll never solve the problems until the focus changes. "

 Tracy wrote on June 19, 2008 10:53 pm:
" I'm one of the 16% who said raise taxes at the town hall budget meetings. I also happen to be Democrat. In addition, I volunteer many hours for the City and can see first hand what the budget cuts are doing to the City's ability to provide essential services to our citizens (police, emergency response personnel). This insight is why I agreed to raise taxes, not because I'm a Democrat. "

 Scott wrote on June 19, 2008 11:17 pm:
" Typical Nebraskans. Wanting something for nothing. "

 Matt wrote on June 20, 2008 5:49 am:
" I don't agree with raising taxes over cutting spending either. But to say that voting for Democrats will cause an automatic tax spike is simply false rhetoric. Unless you make over $250,000 a year, Obama's tax plan will actually save you more money than McCain's.

If you do make over $250,000, well, you really don't have too much to complain about. Sorry, maybe you can't buy that third house. "

 Dano wrote on June 20, 2008 7:54 am:
" Steaks are done, time to cut out the fat. Get to work. "

 MarkyMark wrote on June 20, 2008 8:37 am:
" I hope the Democrats dont tax us too much. I dont have much left after the massive redistribution of wealth under the Republicans. "

 John wrote on June 20, 2008 8:47 am:
" I'm sorry, but looking at the math, I distinctly see that Obama will be raising the taxes on the top 2% of income earners in America while essentially lowering it for everyone else. The middle class is going to get a tax break, but the right wing has convinced you to argue and fight for the money of the wealthiest in America against your better interests. Sad. "

 Outside the Box wrote on June 20, 2008 8:55 am:
" I think we would all love to get more for less. Unfortunately, the republicans can't offer any solutions for how to adequately fund city services without raising taxes.

Instead, they pander to the masses with a party classic ("read my lips, no new taxes") that does nothing to improve the city.

If you want to call out the other party and draw contrasts, great. But when you are asked to suggest a cut to avoid taxes, don't come up empty. Otherwise, you just look like an idiot. "

 Tom wrote on June 20, 2008 9:33 am:
" " Does any city employee ever put out any effort let alone work?"
This has to be one of the most ignorant comments I have seen on here and there have been a lot of them over the years. Shame on the LJS for putting trash like that on the board. There are others on the board today to so this person should not feel alone. The Nebraska red state low mentality is just amazing. They have watched the Republicans trash this country and they still make comments on how the Democrats will spend and spend and tax and tax. Least they will try to have the money before they spend it, unlike the Bush Lovers who think his spending this country into the mess it is now is such a good thing. "

 JB wrote on June 20, 2008 10:38 am:
" Things cost money and all we can ask is that those we elect spend it wisely. It takes no brains to say "no" to all taxes and then complane about the city. All the Republicans want to do as protect those with money so then can let is trickle down. "

 beerorkid wrote on June 20, 2008 10:51 am:
" Oh noes the dems want to provide adequate services like maintained parks, police, and firefighters. At least they are not doing it with supplemental spending bills to be used as a political weapon.

Beutler has done a pretty good job even though he is liberal. Foley is doing pretty good at catching waste even though he is a wingnut. I am a homeowner who has seen my property tax increase, but I am not livid about it. I understand and accept the fact taxes might need to be raised along with reduced spending to keep our current level of publicly financed services or improve them.

Scare tactics from the right will never work on me. Logic and honesty from elected officials is always preferred even if I might be negatively affected. "

 J wrote on June 20, 2008 11:00 am:
" Has anyone read the last two paragraphs? "The County Board has raised its levy five times since 1997, lowered it four times and left it alone once. The city property tax rate has dropped from 52 cents per $100 of valuation in 1995 to 29 cents now." The lower amount of taxes that the city has received has resulted to improper maintenance of the city, loss of jobs, and the exodus of quality people in this city. Omaha is not having this problem of cutting everywhere, and it has rates closer to the 1995 share of taxes. It also has more qualified leaders that Lincoln has lacked since I have lived here. "

 Rational wrote on June 20, 2008 11:02 am:
" Good to see most are missing the point of the article. Democrats look first to increase taxes to pay for government. Republicans look at increasing taxes as a last resort. That's a policy difference for those who claim there is no difference between the 2 political parties. It's not name-calling. It's not negative. It's a legitimate policy discussion. If the local Democrats running for office disagree with the resolution adopted by the local Democratic party to seriously consider raising our property taxes, they should say so. Otherwise, their silence demonstrates agreement. "

 rac wrote on June 20, 2008 12:55 pm:
" I'm Republican, and I don't have a problem with the City raising taxes if it can come out of the huge chunk of money LES takes from me. Of course I expect cuts to come from where they can also, i.e. the worthless bus system. "

 C wrote on June 20, 2008 1:40 pm:
" If they go back to the 1995 levels and we all pay 52 cents per $100, there will be a lot of problems in Lincoln's housing market. Very few poeple could afford their house if their taxes double. Plus the tax rate doesn't matter if the houses aren't assessed consistently. If they are assesed low and the rate is how you pay the same as if the rate was low and the assed value is high. So you really can't compare the rates straight up. If the rate went up to 52 cents, about 35% of a house payment would be taxes instead of about 20% as it is now. The government needs to require pople to pay for certain services instead of just handing it out for free. If you are on state aid in your 20's but start to make a good living in your 30's shouldn't you have to pay some of the aid back. Raise the bus rates, if people are savng so much money there why shouldn't the government get a cut of the savings. Institue a bicycle wheel tax. They use the roads just like cars, why shouldn't they have to pay some for maintenance. Privatize the school system, this would cut a lot of the "fat". They would be more efficient if they had to actually turn a profit and parents could use the saved tax dollars to pick the best schools based on their performance and offerings. (Plus good teachers' salaries would go up and lazy teachers salaries would go down.) "

 Faith A. White wrote on June 21, 2008 11:40 am:
" Our taxes are high enough. When you see a 200% match to employees pension funds there is something wrong. Surely the promised performance audits will help identify waste.
The mayor's survey elicited the response that raising taxes is not acceptable to people. They want to see a follow up on prioritizing where money is spent. One must remind people that 63% of our property taxes go to the schools. "

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