Fresh Loaf

Many of the same people responsible for Atlanta’s Tea Party protests will gather downtown Saturday for an event called America’s Health Care Town Hall.

Don’t be fooled by the name.

Of the 17 hosts, speakers and panelists scheduled to speak, not one appears to support health care reform.

Not one.

It’s instead a roster of Republican Party politicians (past and present), Baracknophobic “Tea Party” organizers, and industry lobbyists.

This gathering isn’t America’s anything. It’s an advertisement opposing health care reform and a Republican Party Pep rally. They should be honest and call it what it is.

Bookmark It

Shirley aims to raise taxes

As we blogged on Tuesday, Mayor Shirley Franklin appeared before the City Council this morning to propose a 3-mill tax increase for the city’s 2010 budget, which kicks in on July 1. If approved as proposed, the unpopular furloughs for the police and fire department would end in three months.

How much is 3 mills? Franklin told the Council it was roughly a 7-percent increase for taxpayers. According to her, the way it would work out that if you own a $200,000 house, you’ll pay an additional $200 this fall. For anyone with a $1 million home, the hit is closer to $1,200.

The mayor is actually proposing less spending than was approved in the current budget — $541 million, compared to $573 million. That’s because city revenues have been steadily falling. Unfortunately, budget projections suggest the city will only collect about $485 million next year — hence, the proposed tax hike.

Last year, the Council voted unanimously to reject a much smaller tax increase, asking Franklin to instead cut personnel and services. The result was the furloughs. It’s already quite clear that this time around, it’s a whole new ball game.

(more…)

Bookmark It