Non-Resident Workers Think City Tax Increase Unfair
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Columbus Tax Increase
A majority of local income taxes are paid for by employees who don't live in Columbus, though.COLUMBUS, Ohio—City of Columbus voters will decide in August whether to approve a 0.5 percent hike on the existing 2 percent income tax.
It would be the city’s first tax increase in 27 years.
A majority of local income taxes are paid for by employees who don’t live in Columbus, though.
NBC 4’s Ana Jackson GOT ANOTHER VIEW on the issue.
Molly Stone works in Columbus but lives outside the city limits in West Jefferson.
She won’t have a vote on the proposed income-tax increase.
“I think folks could really take a look at their spending habits. It bothers me that now I’m going to have to pay more taxes to Columbus when I pay taxes here in West Jeff,“ she said.
West Jefferson residents have to pay a 1 percent income tax to the village in addition to the Columbus income tax.
Peggy Greenwood lives in West Jefferspm and has worked in Columbus for the past 20 years.
She said she thinks an increase would be unfair.
“I don’t think I should have to pay 2 percent in there. I don’t even live in Columbus, but I do live here, and I should help out my community by paying 1 percent,“ Greenwood said.
“We know it’s tough, but the consequences of not achieving the tax will be devastating for our community,“ Mayor Michael Coleman said Monday.
Services such as police, fire and trash collection are on the line—services from which Coleman said the 53 percent of out-of-towners who pay city income taxes benefit.
“I’m at work eight hours a day. Maybe in one way I do benefit from it because I am working there, but I don’t benefit from it here where I live,“ Greenwood said.
The .05 percent increase would equal to $50 dollars more for every $10,000 earned.
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Reader Reactions
The Mayor and the city need to look at reducing their $20M stockpile that they have in their neighborhood revitalization fund and use that money to help this city through this crisis. This is a new fund that was established in 2009 - the Mayor simply robbed Peter to pay Paul. Put this money back where it belongs and don’t make the tax payers pay for your programs - Mayor!! It is appauling to me that the media has not paid more attention to the spending and finances of the city. Who are you here to serve? The people or the Mayor?? Ridiculous - wake up people and see the games the Mayor is playing.
Taxes - I quit! I’m paying way too much now and the Mayor thinks he can up the income tax so he can continue to have large amounts of OT and drive around with security guards - no! I don’t live in Columbus, but work in Columbus. 2% is too much now. I’ve had to cut back tremendously due to the economy and that means so does the Mayor and his cronies! People better wake up because a revolution is coming!
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