The Drink Tax(es)

[lifepgh2op]

I'd much rather pay the drink tax than have property taxes raised AGAIN. At least we get the "bridges and tunnelers" from Butler, Washington, Westmoreland, Beaver, etc. who come in for the weekend to go out or attend the sporting events to help pay for some stuff. If we get rid of that then it's solely on Allegheny County homeowners to pay for public transportation in a city that more than just Allegheny Co. residents use on a regular basis. If property taxes are raised again more people will flock out of Allegheny County and the city of Pittsburgh into the surrounding counties.

Not to mention, this story surfaced yesterday which isn't any good news:
Local Economy And Your Money, Part 3: Why Property Taxes Are So High - Money News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh (http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/money/16834586/detail.html - broken link)

[pman]

Originally Posted by lifepgh2op

I'd much rather pay the drink tax than have property taxes raised AGAIN. At least we get the "bridges and tunnelers" from Butler, Washington, Westmoreland, Beaver, etc. who come in for the weekend to go out or attend the sporting events to help pay for some stuff. If we get rid of that then it's solely on Allegheny County homeowners to pay for public transportation in a city that more than just Allegheny Co. residents use on a regular basis. If property taxes are raised again more people will flock out of Allegheny County and the city of Pittsburgh into the surrounding counties.

Not to mention, this story surfaced yesterday which isn't any good news:
Local Economy And Your Money, Part 3: Why Property Taxes Are So High - Money News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh (http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/money/16834586/detail.html - broken link)

and given all of the taxes on alcohol, I don't understand why people get upset about the drink tax and not the five tiered alcohol distirbution system or the ridiculous 18% johnstown tax...or liquor licenses. I'd think Pitt is going to have to stop shrinking and begin adding back to it's tax payer base as well as start growing its business tax base. something that is out of control of both Philadelphia and Pitt is the state's corp income tax rate which is too high (9.99%). It makes Pitt and Philadelphia uncompetitive. Oh well, if you think things are bad, look at NYS or NJ.

[burgh]

Amen! Pitt and Philly - all of PA for that matter - stands in it's own way of job growth. In a former job for a national company, our budget got slammed due to high taxes in PA and Allegheny county. We payed the most of any other corporate region in taxes and were by far not the one with the most revenue.
If the bar is raised and expectations high, things progress. If you settle for staus quo, that's what you get. Pittsburgh has a lot going for it, but political leadership keeps shooting itself in the foot.

[creepsinc]

Originally Posted by lifepgh2op

I'd much rather pay the drink tax than have property taxes raised AGAIN. At least we get the "bridges and tunnelers" from Butler, Washington, Westmoreland, Beaver, etc. who come in for the weekend to go out or attend the sporting events to help pay for some stuff. If we get rid of that then it's solely on Allegheny County homeowners to pay for public transportation in a city that more than just Allegheny Co. residents use on a regular basis. If property taxes are raised again more people will flock out of Allegheny County and the city of Pittsburgh into the surrounding counties.

Not to mention, this story surfaced yesterday which isn't any good news:
Local Economy And Your Money, Part 3: Why Property Taxes Are So High - Money News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh (http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/money/16834586/detail.html - broken link)

Thank you! The knee-jerk reaction to property taxes is "what do I care, I don't own a house!"

Yeah, but...errr...your landlord probably does!