TAXES

I am a fiscal conservative...we must live within our means! Last years budget cycle was my biggest Council battle to date. I had an uphill battle because the City was looking to approve an 81% property tax increase. While we need a new Firestation...timing is everything and given the current economic state we are in on every level of Government... projects should be put on hold and budgets balanced instead of tax increases. If we all have to tighten up our home budgets, downsize where we can and live within our means...shouldn't Government? I mean, we can't go to our employer and say we want an 81% raise...well if we want to keep our job we shouldn't...lol So too, Government shouldn't go to it's employer, the Citizens, and demand an 81% increase. I was able to persuade a majority of the Council to table the Tax increase and put it on a ballot for November '09 election to let the Citizens decide if a tax increase for the new firestation is warranted. I believe a dramatic tax increase like the 81% proposed one should be put to a vote for approval. How would Washington DC be if they had to put tax increases to the vote of the Citizens or live within their budgets...Hmmm?