Dear Editor:
Jefferson City is looking to a use tax on internet purchases and needs one to tax automobiles purchased out of state. In this past Saturday's News-Tribune, Mr. Hays with the organization "Citizens for a Stronger Community" indicated he did not want people to view the use tax as a tax increase. In the same article the City's finance director, Margie Mueller, indicated the city could receive about $1.5 million in additional revenue if voters pass the use tax. You can't have it both ways.
Government is always looking for more money. You can not expect citizens not to shop around for the best deals - wherever. Too bad if this is a detriment to local businesses. Be competitive or close or find a way to cut operational costs. The article also lamented that if stores at the mall or downtown close, the city will drastically change its tax base. That's also too bad; spend less and/or rearrange spending priorities. Don't shift burden to online stores or us. We are tired of the government's belief that they own our income and tell us how much we should be able to keep after taxes!
Further, Jefferson City's fiscal responsibility to its citizens, and in particular the Parks Department, is completely out-of-bounds. The LINC and new tennis courts are prime examples of reckless planning and spending under the guise of cooperation. Both are under-used facilities based on total cost. Lincoln gets facilities that should be funded by State funds, and parks gets new offices. A real bargain for us - not.
We citizens need accountability for all money spent, and that oversight must be by the elected council and mayor. The intermingling of projects with the Chamber, Cole County, Lincoln University, the State of Missouri and the Jefferson City Public School District muddles this transparency. Projects secured and planned base on grants further degrade public accountability. It is high past time to correct this spending sham and get our city taxes working independently toward projects, services and real needs common to the whole and stop spending taxes on projects used by few without elected direct oversight.