Dear fellow tax hikers, yesterday we learned that Hamilton County taxpayers will soon have an opportunity to implement another stadium tax to renovate the privately-owned US Bank Arena! We love all tax hikes, but stadium taxes are the best. Our county has enjoyed tremendous success from the first Bedinghaus/Qualls Stadium Tax - so much success that we are now being told we need to spend $250 million on another stadium.
Leaders have said they will seek a "public-private partnership". This means the public will pay 99% of the expenses, while the private owners might be kind enough to put in the final 1% - if they feel like it.
We endorse this tax hike. The Bedinghaus-Qualls Stadium Tax has been an unrivaled success. We think another stadium tax would be delightful if it ensures another riverfront stadium as great as the first two.
Showing posts with label Sales Tax Hike. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sales Tax Hike. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Friday, May 22, 2015
Pass two tax hikes and call me in the morning
Dear fellow tax hikers, last year may have been disastrous for us but now we are gearing up to bring some big new tax increases to Hamilton County. Today we revealed our plans in an exclusive to the Cincinnati Business Courier.
First, we are going to raise Hamilton County's Sales Tax to ensure the streetcar is properly funded and expand bus service all across the county. If there is any project that needs more taxpayer funding, it's the Cincinnati Streetcar.
We are also going to pass a tax hike for the Preschool Promise. Our tax-hiking team still has to decide whether we want this to be a city-only issue or go countywide. This is going to need a lot of your money.
For example, two years ago this program was projected to cost no more than $9 million in the city. Now the estimated cost is up to $18 million. Who knows where the final number will end! We promise to endorse this Promise no matter how much it costs.
One of the leaders of the Preschool Promise is The Greatest Rabbi in Ohio Lewis Kamrass, who happens to be the father of Micah and Jared. Gee, we wonder which political consulting firm will get the contract to run this tax hike campaign. This is how politics works. We raise taxes to make ourselves richer - while all you peasants get poorer. These two important tax increases will continue this proud tradition. Tax us more!
First, we are going to raise Hamilton County's Sales Tax to ensure the streetcar is properly funded and expand bus service all across the county. If there is any project that needs more taxpayer funding, it's the Cincinnati Streetcar.
We are also going to pass a tax hike for the Preschool Promise. Our tax-hiking team still has to decide whether we want this to be a city-only issue or go countywide. This is going to need a lot of your money.
For example, two years ago this program was projected to cost no more than $9 million in the city. Now the estimated cost is up to $18 million. Who knows where the final number will end! We promise to endorse this Promise no matter how much it costs.
One of the leaders of the Preschool Promise is The Greatest Rabbi in Ohio Lewis Kamrass, who happens to be the father of Micah and Jared. Gee, we wonder which political consulting firm will get the contract to run this tax hike campaign. This is how politics works. We raise taxes to make ourselves richer - while all you peasants get poorer. These two important tax increases will continue this proud tradition. Tax us more!
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Sales Tax increases today
Dear fellow tax hikers, today is April Fools' Day! Otherwise known as Alex Triantafilou and PG Sittenfeld Day.
We also celebrate a very important Hamilton County Sales Tax increase. Starting today, you will pay higher taxes every time you purchase something here and we think that's fantastic.
We do not believe these two events are related.
We also celebrate a very important Hamilton County Sales Tax increase. Starting today, you will pay higher taxes every time you purchase something here and we think that's fantastic.
We do not believe these two events are related.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Light Rail Tax - Kamrass/Reuszer style
Dear fellow tax hikers, as you know the movement to bring a big Light Rail Sales Tax hike to Hamilton County began many years before our blog launched in 2007. And one of its long-time supporters is tax hiking expert Walt Reuszer. From an August 2000 article:
Reuszer has worked hard this election cycle with his former neighbor Micah Kamrass to raise taxes, promote light rail, and kill babies through all 9 months of pregnancy. The primary reason behind Reuszer's support for Kamrass is because Reuszer is a sore loser (just like us) who can't handle that the voters rejected his friend Rick Bryan. However, there is more to it than Walt's butt-hurt feelings.
Kamrass, Reuszer, and other public transit advocates like us are working together to bring concepts like Light Rail and Streetcars to all of Hamilton County. AND the higher taxes these systems require.
At the sole debate between Kamrass and his evil opponent Jonathan Dever, Kamrass stated around the 22-23 minute mark that we "need to invest in a regional transportation plan" and he wants "all of it (Hamilton County) connected in a regional transportation mode" - that sounds exactly like a multi-billion dollar Light Rail plan! He also wants us to "connect different parts of the state" - like the Ted Strickland 3C plan.
A minute or two later, Kamrass condemned Dever for opposing the Cincinnati Streetcar.
This is the kind of leadership needed to move Ohio forward. Reuszer knows we have to first elect people like Kamrass before we'll get the higher transit taxes that we deserve. We need Kamrass and his support for Light Rail and Streetcars. We know we can't enact light rail now - but by electing great leaders like Roxanne Qualls and Micah Kamrass, we can lay the groundwork to get it soon.
Reuszer has worked hard this election cycle with his former neighbor Micah Kamrass to raise taxes, promote light rail, and kill babies through all 9 months of pregnancy. The primary reason behind Reuszer's support for Kamrass is because Reuszer is a sore loser (just like us) who can't handle that the voters rejected his friend Rick Bryan. However, there is more to it than Walt's butt-hurt feelings.
Kamrass, Reuszer, and other public transit advocates like us are working together to bring concepts like Light Rail and Streetcars to all of Hamilton County. AND the higher taxes these systems require.
At the sole debate between Kamrass and his evil opponent Jonathan Dever, Kamrass stated around the 22-23 minute mark that we "need to invest in a regional transportation plan" and he wants "all of it (Hamilton County) connected in a regional transportation mode" - that sounds exactly like a multi-billion dollar Light Rail plan! He also wants us to "connect different parts of the state" - like the Ted Strickland 3C plan.
A minute or two later, Kamrass condemned Dever for opposing the Cincinnati Streetcar.
This is the kind of leadership needed to move Ohio forward. Reuszer knows we have to first elect people like Kamrass before we'll get the higher transit taxes that we deserve. We need Kamrass and his support for Light Rail and Streetcars. We know we can't enact light rail now - but by electing great leaders like Roxanne Qualls and Micah Kamrass, we can lay the groundwork to get it soon.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
$170 million isn't enough
Dear fellow tax hikers, Hamilton County Commissioners sent to the voters a 5 year, $170 million Sales Tax increase to restore Cincinnati-owned Union Terminal. We are disgusted that we aren't being asked to pay more. How dare the Hamilton County Commissioners exclude the Cincinnati-owned Music Hall from this proposal and not ask us to pay even more taxes.
$170 million is not enough. What is Union Terminal supposed to do with a paltry $170 million? We must pay more. It is not enough for Hamilton County to restore one building that Cincinnati owns. If they do not do both buildings, it is a total, complete failure of leadership.
There was only one plan, and that is the one Bob McDonald proposed. Bob McDonald said so himself. County Commissioners had no right to utilize their legal authority to propose something else.
Bob McDonald is rich. Therefore, anything he proposes must be enacted without question.
Because we are so distraught that we may only have to pay $170 million, we are going to leave you with commentary from fantastic folks we admire:
- Dictator Bob McDonald, public relations guru - "There is no alternative plan. This is the plan."
- Francie Hiltz, Cincinnati Museum Center Board Chair - "This is a total failure"
- Cultural Facilities Task Force - "the worst possible outcome"
- Doug McDonald, Cincinnati Museum Center CEO - "This is disappointing for everybody. There are no winners here."
- Eric Avner, Haile Foundation - "Must be all or nothing."
This is the first tax increase ever that doesn't excite us. $170 million just doesn't go as far as it used to.
$170 million is not enough. What is Union Terminal supposed to do with a paltry $170 million? We must pay more. It is not enough for Hamilton County to restore one building that Cincinnati owns. If they do not do both buildings, it is a total, complete failure of leadership.
There was only one plan, and that is the one Bob McDonald proposed. Bob McDonald said so himself. County Commissioners had no right to utilize their legal authority to propose something else.
Bob McDonald is rich. Therefore, anything he proposes must be enacted without question.
Because we are so distraught that we may only have to pay $170 million, we are going to leave you with commentary from fantastic folks we admire:
- Dictator Bob McDonald, public relations guru - "There is no alternative plan. This is the plan."
- Francie Hiltz, Cincinnati Museum Center Board Chair - "This is a total failure"
- Cultural Facilities Task Force - "the worst possible outcome"
- Doug McDonald, Cincinnati Museum Center CEO - "This is disappointing for everybody. There are no winners here."
- Eric Avner, Haile Foundation - "Must be all or nothing."
This is the first tax increase ever that doesn't excite us. $170 million just doesn't go as far as it used to.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Musuem costs increase $11 million
Dear fellow tax hikers, an outside expert has concluded that the costs to renovate Union Terminal and Music Hall have increased $10.7 million. Last month the legendary Cultural Facilities Task Force, led by PR expert Bob McDonald, claimed project costs would be $331.7 million before interest.
One month later, the cost is now $342.4 million. No big deal. We encourage Hamilton County Commissioners to simply increase the length of the Sales Tax increase so that we can fully cover these overruns.
Raising taxes is how we show we care. The more we increase taxes, the more we care. We are happy to learn of this $10.7 million overrun. We hope it won't be the last.
One month later, the cost is now $342.4 million. No big deal. We encourage Hamilton County Commissioners to simply increase the length of the Sales Tax increase so that we can fully cover these overruns.
Raising taxes is how we show we care. The more we increase taxes, the more we care. We are happy to learn of this $10.7 million overrun. We hope it won't be the last.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Brian Thomas interviews Bob McDonald on Entertainment Tax
Dear fellow tax hikers, we command all of you to listen to this fantastic performance by Entertainment Tax leader Bob McDonald. This is how you sell a tax increase.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Need for Entertainment Tax
And this is one big reason we urge Hamilton County Commissioners to pass the Entertainment Tax. We can't ask the wealthy to donate money to their own priorities. We can't ask users to pay their share.
And we certainly can't ask the buildings owners - the City of Cincinnati - to pay for their own buildings. They have a streetcar to fund. We need everyone to pay higher sales taxes to ensure that those who visit the opera don't have to pay more.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Transit Sales Tax hike
Dear fellow tax hikers, more great news to report as Hamilton County residents have been presented with their second Sales Tax increase in one week! Just as we were looking forward to paying higher Sales Taxes to renovate two buildings owned by the City of Cincinnati, we may now get the opportunity to pay higher Sales Taxes to our local transit authority.
Two Sales Tax hikes in one week. This is one of our best weeks ever.
This particular tax increase would send our money to the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA). As SORTA continues trying to spend more money to operate the Cincinnati Streetcar, they need a new source of funds to perform their own tasks. And it is you Hamilton County taxpayers who will be paying.
This is the common theme for both of these Sales Tax hikes. Hamilton County residents must pay a new Arts Sales Tax so Cincinnati can spend their money to build a streetcar instead of take care of their own buildings. Hamilton County residents must also pay a new Transit Sales Tax to SORTA so that they can operate the beloved Cincinnati Streetcar.
We wholeheartedly endorse both of these Sales Tax increases. Tax us more!
Two Sales Tax hikes in one week. This is one of our best weeks ever.
This particular tax increase would send our money to the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA). As SORTA continues trying to spend more money to operate the Cincinnati Streetcar, they need a new source of funds to perform their own tasks. And it is you Hamilton County taxpayers who will be paying.
This is the common theme for both of these Sales Tax hikes. Hamilton County residents must pay a new Arts Sales Tax so Cincinnati can spend their money to build a streetcar instead of take care of their own buildings. Hamilton County residents must also pay a new Transit Sales Tax to SORTA so that they can operate the beloved Cincinnati Streetcar.
We wholeheartedly endorse both of these Sales Tax increases. Tax us more!
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
New Entertainment Tax
Dear fellow tax hikers, some rich people will soon demand that Hamilton County raise the Sales or Property tax
to fix two buildings owned by the City of Cincinnati. Union Terminal
and Music Hall want over $250 million in repairs, and it's Hamilton
County's job to provide it.
Cincinnati cannot afford to fix their own buildings. You see, they are spending all their capital dollars on The Streetcar. To ensure the streetcar can be built and later expanded, Hamilton County residents need to fix Cincinnati's buildings for them.
No plan for these two projects has been presented. The costs have not been calculated. Therefore, we proudly endorse both a Sales Tax hike AND Property Tax hike, and we urge the Commissioners to approve them without delay.
Cincinnati, the owner of the two buildings, has offered $10 million. Our special insiders tell us that these rich people will ask Hamilton County to provide around $200 million. We believe it is a perfectly fair deal for the building owner to contribute $1 for every $20 that will be subsidized by county taxpayers.
We have to understand that Cincinnati chose a streetcar over their own buildings. That makes them Hamilton County's responsibility now. Raise those taxes, no matter how high.
Cincinnati cannot afford to fix their own buildings. You see, they are spending all their capital dollars on The Streetcar. To ensure the streetcar can be built and later expanded, Hamilton County residents need to fix Cincinnati's buildings for them.
No plan for these two projects has been presented. The costs have not been calculated. Therefore, we proudly endorse both a Sales Tax hike AND Property Tax hike, and we urge the Commissioners to approve them without delay.
Cincinnati, the owner of the two buildings, has offered $10 million. Our special insiders tell us that these rich people will ask Hamilton County to provide around $200 million. We believe it is a perfectly fair deal for the building owner to contribute $1 for every $20 that will be subsidized by county taxpayers.
We have to understand that Cincinnati chose a streetcar over their own buildings. That makes them Hamilton County's responsibility now. Raise those taxes, no matter how high.
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Monzel honored by local GOP
Dear fellow tax hikers, we have been very angry this weekend (as we usually are). As if this month hasn't been bad enough for our movement, we suffered another indignity Friday night when the Hamilton County Republican Party honored our enemy Chris Monzel as their Elected Official of the Year.
We tax hikers can't imagine anyone less deserving. Monzel has consistently opposed higher taxes - even opposing the Democratic/Leis Sales Tax hike that we strongly backed. He opposed sending more taxpayer money to the Freedom Center, and has always opposed our beloved streetcar.
Monzel is up for re-election this year, and if he had an opponent we would have already endorsed her.
We condemn the Hamilton County GOP for honoring such a terrible official. After we progressive tax hikers had to suffer through the victories of Jonathan Dever and Tom Brinkman earlier this month, the party should have tended to our hurt feelings by giving this award to a great tax-and-spender. A few conservatives may have rigged this award for their buddy Monzel, but we will continue to oppose his efforts to stop tax increases and our streetcar.
We tax hikers can't imagine anyone less deserving. Monzel has consistently opposed higher taxes - even opposing the Democratic/Leis Sales Tax hike that we strongly backed. He opposed sending more taxpayer money to the Freedom Center, and has always opposed our beloved streetcar.
Monzel is up for re-election this year, and if he had an opponent we would have already endorsed her.
We condemn the Hamilton County GOP for honoring such a terrible official. After we progressive tax hikers had to suffer through the victories of Jonathan Dever and Tom Brinkman earlier this month, the party should have tended to our hurt feelings by giving this award to a great tax-and-spender. A few conservatives may have rigged this award for their buddy Monzel, but we will continue to oppose his efforts to stop tax increases and our streetcar.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Hamilton County's new stadium tax
Dear fellow tax hikers, get ready to pay more taxes for the stadiums. Our Hamilton County Commissioners are deciding which tax to raise to give more money to Mike Brown and the Bengals and we think that's fantastic! Hamilton County's #1 priority is to enrich the Bengals and we will not allow our county government to put off that task anymore.
Commissioner Todd Portune wants to raise the Sales Tax. Commission President Greg Hartmann wants to raise your Property Taxes. Republicans for Higher Taxes wholeheartedly endorses both a Property Tax increase and Sales Tax increase.
Mike Brown needs that money. You don't. According to Forbes, the Cincinnati Bengals earned an operating income of only $44.7 million in 2011, and that's not enough. You should be willing to pay more taxes to ensure our beloved Bengals earn a sufficient income, and after this Wednesday's Commission meeting you will.
This stadium deal has been a rousing success for Hamilton County, just like Bob Bedinghaus, Stadium Dave Linnenberg, and Roxanne Qualls said it would. It made Cincinnati a "major league city", led to great economic growth, made everyone richer, cured cancer, and grew the tax base. That we need another stadium tax increase to bail out the first one is fine with us. It's time to give Mike Brown and Bob Bedinghaus more of our money. Raise those Sales Taxes and Property Taxes now.
Commissioner Todd Portune wants to raise the Sales Tax. Commission President Greg Hartmann wants to raise your Property Taxes. Republicans for Higher Taxes wholeheartedly endorses both a Property Tax increase and Sales Tax increase.
Mike Brown needs that money. You don't. According to Forbes, the Cincinnati Bengals earned an operating income of only $44.7 million in 2011, and that's not enough. You should be willing to pay more taxes to ensure our beloved Bengals earn a sufficient income, and after this Wednesday's Commission meeting you will.
This stadium deal has been a rousing success for Hamilton County, just like Bob Bedinghaus, Stadium Dave Linnenberg, and Roxanne Qualls said it would. It made Cincinnati a "major league city", led to great economic growth, made everyone richer, cured cancer, and grew the tax base. That we need another stadium tax increase to bail out the first one is fine with us. It's time to give Mike Brown and Bob Bedinghaus more of our money. Raise those Sales Taxes and Property Taxes now.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Smitherman re-elected NAACP President
Dear fellow tax hikers, we know you were as dismayed as we were to learn that our enemy Christopher Smitherman was re-elected NAACP President. We worked to defeat him because of his alliances with conservatives, which have often successfully rolled back our high-tax agenda. Smitherman's inclusiveness of different races and different ideologies is unacceptable and a scourge on the NAACP.
His opponent Rob Richardson Sr. deserved to win. Richardson wanted to return the Cincinnati NAACP to their proper role - which is to blindly obey the white people who run the Hamilton County Democratic Party.
After this defeat, Rob Richardson Jr, a streetcar supporter and obedient Democratic loyalist himself, released the following statement: "Although we did not win the election, we did confirm that members are demanding more accountability." Junior should know all about accountability, given his prior leadership role with the urbanist group CincyPAC.
Yeah, Smitherman grew the NAACP from a few hundred members to a few thousand. Yeah, he's led them from nearly broke to financial strength. Yeah, he's led a coalition to pass several ballot issues that had widespread impact on our area. But he still needed to be stopped!
You see, Smitherman doesn't obey. Under his leadership, the NAACP has been an independent organization that fought for advancement of minorities and fairness for all regardless of whether the Democratic Party approved.
Even worse, the ballot issues they've backed went against our big government agenda. It was Smitherman and COAST that successfully overturned the $777 million Sales Tax increase that was backed by legendary tax hikers David Pepper, Todd Portune, Simon Leis, Sean Donovan, Leslie Ghiz, Virgil Lovitt, Tax Hikin' Rick Bryan, and The Great Marc Dann, among many others. Smitherman and COAST also stopped Red Light Cameras, a Trash Tax, and the sale of Waterworks. These actions directly violated the wishes of us and the Democratic Party!
With Smitherman in charge, the NAACP will remain an independent organization that won't blindly obey either political party. But he better know we will be watching.
His opponent Rob Richardson Sr. deserved to win. Richardson wanted to return the Cincinnati NAACP to their proper role - which is to blindly obey the white people who run the Hamilton County Democratic Party.
After this defeat, Rob Richardson Jr, a streetcar supporter and obedient Democratic loyalist himself, released the following statement: "Although we did not win the election, we did confirm that members are demanding more accountability." Junior should know all about accountability, given his prior leadership role with the urbanist group CincyPAC.
Yeah, Smitherman grew the NAACP from a few hundred members to a few thousand. Yeah, he's led them from nearly broke to financial strength. Yeah, he's led a coalition to pass several ballot issues that had widespread impact on our area. But he still needed to be stopped!
You see, Smitherman doesn't obey. Under his leadership, the NAACP has been an independent organization that fought for advancement of minorities and fairness for all regardless of whether the Democratic Party approved.
Even worse, the ballot issues they've backed went against our big government agenda. It was Smitherman and COAST that successfully overturned the $777 million Sales Tax increase that was backed by legendary tax hikers David Pepper, Todd Portune, Simon Leis, Sean Donovan, Leslie Ghiz, Virgil Lovitt, Tax Hikin' Rick Bryan, and The Great Marc Dann, among many others. Smitherman and COAST also stopped Red Light Cameras, a Trash Tax, and the sale of Waterworks. These actions directly violated the wishes of us and the Democratic Party!
With Smitherman in charge, the NAACP will remain an independent organization that won't blindly obey either political party. But he better know we will be watching.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Jail Tax supporter's law license suspended
Dear fellow tax hikers, we are disgusted to learn that former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann's law license has been suspended for 6 months. This unanimous decision by The Ohio Supreme Court followed Dann's criminal convictions for soliciting improper compensation and filing a false financial disclosure.
We are big fans of Marc Dann. When we were fighting to raise Hamilton County's Sales Tax in 2007, Dann was the highest-level elected official to endorse this plan. Attorney General Dann stood shoulder-to-shoulder with other tax hikers such as Simon Leis, Sean Donovan, David Pepper, Tax Hikin' Rick Bryan, and Roxanne Qualls to urge the voters to support this excellent tax increase.
So what if he's been convicted of some crimes? So was the great Bob Taft. And Jean Schmidt also filed false forms and illegally took over $500,000 in gifts from Turkish interests, and she didn't lose our support. Mr. Dann is being targeted by The Man for his strong pro-tax views. We believe the voters and the criminal justice system should stop worrying about the criminal behavior of Marc Dann, Bob Taft, and Jean Schmidt and instead respect all of the tax increases they have given us.
We are big fans of Marc Dann. When we were fighting to raise Hamilton County's Sales Tax in 2007, Dann was the highest-level elected official to endorse this plan. Attorney General Dann stood shoulder-to-shoulder with other tax hikers such as Simon Leis, Sean Donovan, David Pepper, Tax Hikin' Rick Bryan, and Roxanne Qualls to urge the voters to support this excellent tax increase.
So what if he's been convicted of some crimes? So was the great Bob Taft. And Jean Schmidt also filed false forms and illegally took over $500,000 in gifts from Turkish interests, and she didn't lose our support. Mr. Dann is being targeted by The Man for his strong pro-tax views. We believe the voters and the criminal justice system should stop worrying about the criminal behavior of Marc Dann, Bob Taft, and Jean Schmidt and instead respect all of the tax increases they have given us.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Donovan/Leis defeated
Dear fellow tax hikers, we enjoyed a drunken Election Night as we focused exclusively on celebrating the re-election of Our Messiah Barack Obama! If you like high taxes, high unemployment, large deficits, and expansive government control of health care as much as we do, you haven't seen anything yet. Forward.
It wasn't until Wednesday morning - for us, more like afternoon - we got around to perusing the rest of the results. You can only imagine the horror on our hung-over faces when we saw that our good friend Sean Donovan was defeated in his effort to become our next Sheriff. It wasn't supposed to be this way. Donovan was entitled to that position! Si Leis himself bestowed it upon him.
We are crushed by this unexpected defeat. Donovan was the best candidate we had on the ballot. Don't the voters know that Donovan wants higher taxes to build the Simon Leis Jr. Memorial Jail? Don't they know he's one of the earliest streetcar supporters? Don't they know he's the candidate of the double-dippers and isn't the candidate who wants to cut administrative staff?
We are still distraught by this defeat. My civil domestic partner and I have been spending our days shut in with the blinds drawn. We pass the time listening to our favorite musical selections, which consist of alternating between our Justin Bieber and One Direction CD's.
We are all hurting, but we must pull ourselves together and move on. There are so many taxes to be raised, so many new streetcars to be built. Through community, we can all join together and heal ourselves and each other. We also wish our very best to Si Leis and Sean Donovan. We appreciate everything they have done for us. We dedicate this fitting song to our beloved outgoing Sheriff Simon Leis.
It wasn't until Wednesday morning - for us, more like afternoon - we got around to perusing the rest of the results. You can only imagine the horror on our hung-over faces when we saw that our good friend Sean Donovan was defeated in his effort to become our next Sheriff. It wasn't supposed to be this way. Donovan was entitled to that position! Si Leis himself bestowed it upon him.
We are crushed by this unexpected defeat. Donovan was the best candidate we had on the ballot. Don't the voters know that Donovan wants higher taxes to build the Simon Leis Jr. Memorial Jail? Don't they know he's one of the earliest streetcar supporters? Don't they know he's the candidate of the double-dippers and isn't the candidate who wants to cut administrative staff?
We are still distraught by this defeat. My civil domestic partner and I have been spending our days shut in with the blinds drawn. We pass the time listening to our favorite musical selections, which consist of alternating between our Justin Bieber and One Direction CD's.
We are all hurting, but we must pull ourselves together and move on. There are so many taxes to be raised, so many new streetcars to be built. Through community, we can all join together and heal ourselves and each other. We also wish our very best to Si Leis and Sean Donovan. We appreciate everything they have done for us. We dedicate this fitting song to our beloved outgoing Sheriff Simon Leis.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Sean Donovan for Sheriff
Dear fellow tax hikers, we give our strongest possible endorsement to Sean Donovan for Sheriff. Donovan is one of our closest friends and is by far the finest candidate on the ballot this year. Consider the Sean Donovan record:
1) Stood with Marc Dann, Simon Leis, David Pepper, Todd Portune, Roxanne Qualls, and Tax Hikers of the Year Virgil Lovitt and Rick Bryan to support a huge 15 year, $777 million Sales Tax increase for Hamilton County. Mr. Donovan continues to speak out in favor of such a plan, which means our taxes will go up if he gets his way.
2) Supports our beloved Cincinnati Streetcar. He has publicly and vocally supported this great idea for years - speaking out at County Commission meetings, giving pro-streetcar tv interviews, writing letters to the editor, spreading the word on the blogs, and campaigning against efforts to kill it.
3) Refuses to support a Performance Audit of the Sheriff's Department, as his opponent Jim Neil wants. Donovan don't need no stinkin' audit to tell him where he's wasting money!
4) Openly operates a liquor license establishment downtown, in spite of Sheriff's Department rules that specifically prohibit employment at a liquor license establishment.
5) Does not support Neil's plan to consolidate the major functions of the Department and cut the ensuing amount of Administrator positions. That would mean he'd have to release some overpaid double-dippers and we can't have that!
Not only is Donovan the ideal Republican, his opponent Jim Neil is a horrific candidate! Neil opposes a tax increase for a new jail. Can you believe that someone would say no to higher taxes that would allow their department to spend more? Even worse, Neil refuses to endorse the streetcar. Neil wants the Ohio Auditor to execute a Performance Audit of the Sheriff's Department, and he wants to cut Administrative staff that is currently dominated by Si's aging double-dippers.
- Do you crave higher Sales Taxes? Then vote for Sean Donovan!
- Do you want to spend $150 million on a streetcar? Vote Sean Donovan!
- Do you oppose an independent audit of a $57 million department? Vote Sean Donovan!
- Do you want to get drunk at a Sheriff's liquor store? Vote for Donovan! (then drink)
We are so in love with Donovan that we are making this our target race for 2012. We tax hikers must win this one. In the name of higher taxes, we urge everyone to work day and night to elect Sean Donovan our next Sheriff.
1) Stood with Marc Dann, Simon Leis, David Pepper, Todd Portune, Roxanne Qualls, and Tax Hikers of the Year Virgil Lovitt and Rick Bryan to support a huge 15 year, $777 million Sales Tax increase for Hamilton County. Mr. Donovan continues to speak out in favor of such a plan, which means our taxes will go up if he gets his way.
2) Supports our beloved Cincinnati Streetcar. He has publicly and vocally supported this great idea for years - speaking out at County Commission meetings, giving pro-streetcar tv interviews, writing letters to the editor, spreading the word on the blogs, and campaigning against efforts to kill it.
3) Refuses to support a Performance Audit of the Sheriff's Department, as his opponent Jim Neil wants. Donovan don't need no stinkin' audit to tell him where he's wasting money!
4) Openly operates a liquor license establishment downtown, in spite of Sheriff's Department rules that specifically prohibit employment at a liquor license establishment.
5) Does not support Neil's plan to consolidate the major functions of the Department and cut the ensuing amount of Administrator positions. That would mean he'd have to release some overpaid double-dippers and we can't have that!
Not only is Donovan the ideal Republican, his opponent Jim Neil is a horrific candidate! Neil opposes a tax increase for a new jail. Can you believe that someone would say no to higher taxes that would allow their department to spend more? Even worse, Neil refuses to endorse the streetcar. Neil wants the Ohio Auditor to execute a Performance Audit of the Sheriff's Department, and he wants to cut Administrative staff that is currently dominated by Si's aging double-dippers.
- Do you crave higher Sales Taxes? Then vote for Sean Donovan!
- Do you want to spend $150 million on a streetcar? Vote Sean Donovan!
- Do you oppose an independent audit of a $57 million department? Vote Sean Donovan!
- Do you want to get drunk at a Sheriff's liquor store? Vote for Donovan! (then drink)
We are so in love with Donovan that we are making this our target race for 2012. We tax hikers must win this one. In the name of higher taxes, we urge everyone to work day and night to elect Sean Donovan our next Sheriff.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Leslie Ghiz and Heather Russell for Judge
Dear fellow tax hikers, tonight we direct your attention to a unique race on this year's ballot - Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge. This is a field race to elect two Judges. You get two votes. The top two finishers both get elected and there are four beautiful women running for these two spots. If only me and my civil domestic partner liked women we would get to enjoy this race even more than we do now.
We are proud to endorse our good friends Leslie Ghiz and Heather Russell. These lovely ladies understand the value of higher taxes and bigger government.
Leslie Ghiz is one of our longest and best friends. You can search through our archives to see all of our glowing articles about her. Leslie proudly endorsed liberal Democrat David Pepper for County Commissioner. She strongly backed the huge Pepper/Portune/Leis $777 million Sales Tax increase in 2007 that sadly did not pass. As a City Councilman, Leslie cast a pivotal vote to start the Cincinnati streetcar project. Our Ghizzy also voted to expand gay rights, which she did while criticizing those damn conservatives who held a different opinion. As you can see, Leslie has been one of our strongest tax-and-spend allies.
We also know Heather Russell to be a woman of big government herself. In 2007 when we worked day and night to pass that $777 Sales Tax increase, Heather was supportive of our efforts. As a sitting Judge she could not endorse it, but we fondly remember all the times she showed up to local Republican clubs nodding like a Bobblehead doll at every argument being made by one of our pro-tax speakers, and backing all of our strong pro-tax arguments. We remain angry to this day that the voters rejected our position and killed that important tax increase.
We feel good endorsing Ghiz and Russell. These are the kind of Republicans who best represent our party. With four beautiful women running for these two positions, we can't ask for anything more than a chance to elect two of our GOP allies. Leslie Ghiz and Heather Russell for Judge!
We are proud to endorse our good friends Leslie Ghiz and Heather Russell. These lovely ladies understand the value of higher taxes and bigger government.
Leslie Ghiz is one of our longest and best friends. You can search through our archives to see all of our glowing articles about her. Leslie proudly endorsed liberal Democrat David Pepper for County Commissioner. She strongly backed the huge Pepper/Portune/Leis $777 million Sales Tax increase in 2007 that sadly did not pass. As a City Councilman, Leslie cast a pivotal vote to start the Cincinnati streetcar project. Our Ghizzy also voted to expand gay rights, which she did while criticizing those damn conservatives who held a different opinion. As you can see, Leslie has been one of our strongest tax-and-spend allies.
We also know Heather Russell to be a woman of big government herself. In 2007 when we worked day and night to pass that $777 Sales Tax increase, Heather was supportive of our efforts. As a sitting Judge she could not endorse it, but we fondly remember all the times she showed up to local Republican clubs nodding like a Bobblehead doll at every argument being made by one of our pro-tax speakers, and backing all of our strong pro-tax arguments. We remain angry to this day that the voters rejected our position and killed that important tax increase.
We feel good endorsing Ghiz and Russell. These are the kind of Republicans who best represent our party. With four beautiful women running for these two positions, we can't ask for anything more than a chance to elect two of our GOP allies. Leslie Ghiz and Heather Russell for Judge!
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Sheriff's Dept abuse costs Hamilton County $110,000
Dear fellow tax hikers, the conduct of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department has cost taxpayers another $110,000. County Commissioners unanimously approved the payout to settle more abuse charges against the Sheriff. This is only the latest in such behavior from the Sheriff to cost county taxpayers, and we know there is more to come. It doesn't bother us one bit.
Sean Donovan is running for Sheriff, citing his many years of experience running the Sheriff's Department. This is the kind of experience we need! By managing the office in such a way to require frequent settlements with taxpayer money, Donovan has reliably done his job to further the county's budget crisis and increase the demands to raise our taxes.
We applaud Simon Leis and Streetcar supporter Sean Donovan for the way they run their Department. Whether it's blow-up dolls, multiple helicopters, fishing boats, or settlements against them for the laws they break, Donovan and Leis can always be relied upon to find new and inventive ways to spend taxpayer money.
It doesn't stop there. Leis and Donovan both have been strong supporters of the Cincinnati streetcar. Leis and Donovan campaigned hard to increase Hamilton County's Sales Tax for a Taj Mahal jail and new social spending programs. Leis and Donovan both absolutely adore double dipping, and make good use of those double dippers to maintain a huge staff of highly-paid administrators.
The future of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department is at stake this November. If you support double dipping, streetcars, higher taxes, and civil rights violations that cost taxpayers dearly, then it's time to get behind Sean Donovan. We don't want this great Department to change.
Sean Donovan is running for Sheriff, citing his many years of experience running the Sheriff's Department. This is the kind of experience we need! By managing the office in such a way to require frequent settlements with taxpayer money, Donovan has reliably done his job to further the county's budget crisis and increase the demands to raise our taxes.
We applaud Simon Leis and Streetcar supporter Sean Donovan for the way they run their Department. Whether it's blow-up dolls, multiple helicopters, fishing boats, or settlements against them for the laws they break, Donovan and Leis can always be relied upon to find new and inventive ways to spend taxpayer money.
It doesn't stop there. Leis and Donovan both have been strong supporters of the Cincinnati streetcar. Leis and Donovan campaigned hard to increase Hamilton County's Sales Tax for a Taj Mahal jail and new social spending programs. Leis and Donovan both absolutely adore double dipping, and make good use of those double dippers to maintain a huge staff of highly-paid administrators.
The future of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department is at stake this November. If you support double dipping, streetcars, higher taxes, and civil rights violations that cost taxpayers dearly, then it's time to get behind Sean Donovan. We don't want this great Department to change.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
It's time for higher Hamilton County taxes
Dear fellow tax hikers, we applaud The Cincinnati Enquirer for their recent editorial gently urging the Hamilton County Commissioners to raise taxes for the common good. We won't be gentle - we demand that the Commissioners pass at least one major tax increase on Hamilton County citizens!
County revenues are declining. They've already been cut 25% from their peak, and they may have to trim another 10% for 2013. That's terrible. We can't have the government spend less, we need the citizens to spend less instead.
Our beloved Sheriff Simon Leis is warning that further cuts to the Sheriff's Department will be catastrophic. It's the first time in weeks he's uttered that threat! This time he really means it.
Higher taxes are also needed to bail out the massive deficits in the stadium fund. We know, we all were told that the first stadium tax would lead to an economic boom, and the tax would be retired in 20 years. Expectations fell a little short. But we insist that another Stadium Tax, to bail out the first Stadium Tax, will take care of everything.....we hope.
Sadly our Commissioners have done a terrible job on taxation in recent years. They have said no to higher taxes for the General Fund, they said no to an Arts Sales Tax, they've refused a new Jail Tax, they said no to having Hamilton County pay for Cincinnati's Union Terminal repairs, and Portune and Monzel sold some land around Drake Hospital to pay for last year's stadium fund deficit. We don't have a single reliable Commissioner to lean on, so we will have to work hard to give ourselves the tax increases we deserve.
County revenues are declining. They've already been cut 25% from their peak, and they may have to trim another 10% for 2013. That's terrible. We can't have the government spend less, we need the citizens to spend less instead.
Our beloved Sheriff Simon Leis is warning that further cuts to the Sheriff's Department will be catastrophic. It's the first time in weeks he's uttered that threat! This time he really means it.
Higher taxes are also needed to bail out the massive deficits in the stadium fund. We know, we all were told that the first stadium tax would lead to an economic boom, and the tax would be retired in 20 years. Expectations fell a little short. But we insist that another Stadium Tax, to bail out the first Stadium Tax, will take care of everything.....we hope.
Sadly our Commissioners have done a terrible job on taxation in recent years. They have said no to higher taxes for the General Fund, they said no to an Arts Sales Tax, they've refused a new Jail Tax, they said no to having Hamilton County pay for Cincinnati's Union Terminal repairs, and Portune and Monzel sold some land around Drake Hospital to pay for last year's stadium fund deficit. We don't have a single reliable Commissioner to lean on, so we will have to work hard to give ourselves the tax increases we deserve.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
John Cranley opposes Property Tax Hike
Dear fellow tax hikers, we are enormously disappointed in former Cincinnati Councilman John Cranley. Today Cranley has published a mean editorial opposing Roxanne Qualls' efforts to raise Cincinnati's property taxes! Not only did Cranley condemn this important tax increase, he also criticized the streetcar project which we believe is necessary for the future of our city.
Roxanne Qualls does not deserve this criticism. Roxanne has been a tax-hiking goddess throughout her public career. Roxy was the leading voice for the Stadium Sales Tax increase which has done so much good for our community. She endorsed the Sales Tax hike for Light Rail. Roxy endorsed the 2007 Jail Tax which would have raised taxes $777 million for a $198 million jail. Qualls has also been one of the streetcar's biggest supporters from Day 1. She supports all the great ideas!
We are very angry at John Cranley. Cranley and our enemy Chris Monzel were the only two Councilmen who voted against our beloved streetcar. Cranley refused to endorse the 2007 Sales Tax hike for a big new expensive jail. And now he is publicly criticizing a property tax increase that we already endorsed.
We need higher property taxes, both in the city and in the county. We stand behind Roxanne Qualls as she seeks another one of her wonderful tax hikes. We are also serving warning to John Cranley that he better stop opposing our agenda of higher taxes and more spending. He will find our opposition to be a steep encounter to any future candidacy.
Roxanne Qualls does not deserve this criticism. Roxanne has been a tax-hiking goddess throughout her public career. Roxy was the leading voice for the Stadium Sales Tax increase which has done so much good for our community. She endorsed the Sales Tax hike for Light Rail. Roxy endorsed the 2007 Jail Tax which would have raised taxes $777 million for a $198 million jail. Qualls has also been one of the streetcar's biggest supporters from Day 1. She supports all the great ideas!
We are very angry at John Cranley. Cranley and our enemy Chris Monzel were the only two Councilmen who voted against our beloved streetcar. Cranley refused to endorse the 2007 Sales Tax hike for a big new expensive jail. And now he is publicly criticizing a property tax increase that we already endorsed.
We need higher property taxes, both in the city and in the county. We stand behind Roxanne Qualls as she seeks another one of her wonderful tax hikes. We are also serving warning to John Cranley that he better stop opposing our agenda of higher taxes and more spending. He will find our opposition to be a steep encounter to any future candidacy.
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