By Matt Holdridge
From the Philadelphia Inquirer:
Philadelphia Mayor Nutter, balking at cutting “core services” and running out of ways to raise money, is expected to balance next year’s budget with a steep tax on sugary drinks and a $300 annual residential trash fee, sources familiar with the plan said yesterday.
City Councilman W. Wilson Goode Jr. said he anticipated a 2-cent-per-ounce tax on sweet drinks as part of Nutter’s 2010-2011 budget, to be presented tomorrow. That’s $2.88 on a 12-pack of soda cans.
As more city’s struggle to pay for their government largess, garbage collection “fees”, soda taxes, or more could be coming to a city hall near you.
My hometown of Toledo, Ohio is in a similar situation. With crushing budget deficits year-after-year and an almost complete lack of interest in making substantial cuts, the city is looking at enacting this year an elimination of income tax reciprocity for those working outside of the city, an 8% sports and event tax, and a $15 monthly refuse fee. These will likely facilitate more “revenue enhancers” later.
We often talk about the federal government but your local community has more ability to nickel-and-dime you with various taxes and fees then the feds.
It is vital for all of us to organize against bad governance on the local level because bad ideas start small then spread. Like water, it has a ripple effect that can eventually get everyone wet.
Small organizations build bigger organizations that can fight larger battles. Your local groups are the training ground for our movement. Let’s continue to build and grow them!