From the department of Tell Me Something I Don’t Already Know
Poll: Nevadans want education spared but no tax increases (RGJ)
Key components of Gov. Jim Gibbons’ proposal to address a $2.3 billion shortfall by slashing higher education and cutting teacher and state worker salaries has met with intense public opposition, according to a new poll that found more voters favor an approach that includes new taxes with spending cuts.
But those surveyed also expressed strong opposition to increases in sales, property and payroll taxes.
So, um, what exactly are they willing to see get taxed? Nothing that affects them it appears. Selfish bastards. “No, not me! Tax That Other Guy!”
The results indicate Gibbons and lawmakers who want to rework his proposed $6.2 billion budget to include tax increases will have a difficult time building public support behind measures to address the state revenue shortage at a time when businesses and families are coping with their own economic distress.
“When it gets down to it, they want their services, they want a low tax base and when given the choice between cuts or taxes, they don’t want either,” pollster Del Ali said of the results.
This state has no income tax, no corporate income tax, caps on property taxes. We already tax gaming. Where exactly do these people suggest we gain revenue? They say they want budget cuts. Well, for the most part, the number one expense of any business, and that would include government, is payroll. If not number one, it’s usually a close second. Budget cuts designed to meet such a revenue shortfall will not be accomplished by turning down thermostats and cutting back on office supplies.
So Nevadans are either going to have to face the music and pony up, or the the cuts will happen.
And I can’t help thinking about what could have been if we’d just elected that woman with the funny accent.
This is a pet peeve with my daughter who lives in New Hampshire…they don’t want to pay taxes, but when they need a new firehouse they moan and complain about not having the money. My daughter grew up in Illinois and when she moved to NH, she couldn’t get over this phenomena. She’s a journalist for a newspaper there and covers all the City Council news. I can just see the eye rolls as she sits through those City Council meetings!
This is a failure of our elected representatives to make their case to the public. There is NO WAY to pay for these necessary public services without taxes. That is, unless we either print money or borrow it from China, both of which policies lead to Depression.
As we now see.
Borrowing it from China might be out. They are blaming us for their economic woes. Who oh who is going to lend up $$$ now. Even the Swiss are tightening their belts.