WHY VOTE NO ON MARCH 4, 2008

There are several reasons why we Toledoans should vote NO on the 3/4% income tax in MArch AND November.

• Because it’s time for politicians to put priorities above pet projects.

How much money should be spent on Southwyck? Should the City spend anything? Why is the City involved with the Erie Street Market? If Police and Fire are really the top priorities of the City, why are the the elected officials warning that these things will be cut? Just possibly, the Mayor and Company are trying to scare us, because they are scared that cuts to their special pet projects will happen if we vote down the income tax.

• Because we deserve a tax break.

With unemployment at 6.9%, jobs are being lost. At least 1,100 jobs were lost in January from the layoffs at Jeep and GM Powertrain. The national economy is in a recession, and homes are being foreclosed on locally and nationally. The last thing we need right now is another tax.

• Because as the 10th fastest shrinking city in the United States, Toledo’s City Budget needs to shrink as well.

Toledo has cracked the Top 10 on the list coming in behind cities like New Orleans and Detroit, numbers 1 and 2. As the City shrinks, so should the City’s spending. As individuals lose jobs and go through hard times, why should the City keep spending OUR money at the same level?

• Because the tax increase will increase the art budget.

According to this article in the Toledo Blade, “On March 4, Toledoans will be asked to renew the 0.75 percent temporary income tax, which, if passed, will increase the budget for public art for the first time in four years.” In dire times, why should we increase any budget? I am married to a painter and I appreciate art, but we are being told Police and Fire will be cut, while the art budget is increased?