Strickland features Lakewd senior in property tax cut speech

[Tom Bullock]

According to the Associated Press (April 22, 2007, printed in the Plain Dealer), Governor Ted Strickland features a Lakewood senior as an example on the stump while promoting his proposed property tax cut for seniors.

http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer/st ... xml&coll=2

"I was in Lakewood earlier this week, and a man with a Korean War cap came up to me and gave me this paper," Strickland said Friday in Lima. "In 1990, he paid $900 in property tax. In 2008, he'll pay $4,129. That's a 400 percent increase. His income hasn't gone up 400 percent."

Strickland's plan would exempt from property taxes the first $25,000 of a home's market value for seniors.

[DougHuntingdon]

Governor Strickland points out a problem that is caused by explosive growth of government at all levels. His solution is more government.

If Strickland's plan goes through, then what? The Lakewood senior will pay $3800 instead of $4129 in taxes? Someone smarter than me do the math. Meanwhile, the governnment will spend how much administering the program?

If Governor Strickland really wanted to help homeowners and slumlords, he would find a good way to reduce the property taxes for everyone, not just for the elderly, not just for crack mothers, not just for heterosexual families with lots of kids, etc.

If the Korean War veteran came back from war injured and unable to work, I believe there are already programs in place to help.

Doug

[Bill Call]

Governor Strickland points out a problem that is caused by explosive growth of government at all levels. His solution is more government.

As a group the elderly are far wealthier than people with young families.
Why not a break for young families?

One of the schemes used by big government types is to exempts certain classes of people from taxes i.e., teachers, retirees etc, in the hopes that those exempt from taxes will support tax increases.

You correctly point out that the real propblem is the explosive growth of government. Property taxes are 400% higher than they were a short time ago. Are City services 400% better?

[Gary Rice]

Hey boys,

What's the matter with a little REAL compassion here?

If we accept Bill's premise that taxes are too high, then a cut for any segment of our population can't be a bad thing.

Contrary to the opinions of some, it has not been my experience that the elderly are rolling in the dough. To the contrary, massive medical and pharmaceutical expenses, not to mention extended care and nursing expenses have all been mounting, thanks in part, I believe, to those so-called "compassionate" advocates of small government.

Veterans deserve every break they can get. They earned it. Period.

People who poo-poo "big government" often forget the services aspect, and the people who are assisted by programs to better their lives. Programs like rehab services, social security, and medicaid can be lifelines to survival in this society. It's all about helping people to get a leg up.

Governor Strickland surely realizes the importance of helping Ohioans improve the quality of their lives. For too long, I believe they have been the victims of greed and callous indifference.

It's time for the caring to begin.

[Mark Timieski]

I saw the article in the PD too. I wonder where the guy with Korean War Cap lives (I don’t think it’s Lakewood)? Housing and tax rates have been more stable here.

If he lives in Lakewood (going from historic tax rates) it looks like his house would have been worth around $45,000 in 1990 and now worth $200,000.

http://tax.ohio.gov/divisions/tax_analy ... r5cy91.stm
http://treasurer.cuyahogacounty.us/PDF/ ... kewood.pdf

[Jim O'Bryan]

Governor Strickland points out a problem that is caused by explosive growth of government at all levels. His solution is more government.Doug

Doug

I have the whole speech on tape, and was there.

One thing that the Governor spoke of is this would be managed easily through agencies that are already out there with no need to hire anyone. No increase in budget.

This was presented as a win/win. In so much as the amount saved by seniors, would not effect schools. That the schools would recieve their full tax. All money for this comes out of the tobacco settlement.

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[dl meckes]

All money for this comes out of the tobacco settlement.

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Because god forbid that money would be used to help offset the higher burden that smokers (like me) place on the health care system.

[DougHuntingdon]

A win win situation? I'm not trying to change the subject, but JOB this reminds me of how someone said the Savannah Peninsula would cost us nothing.* Please pass the Kool Aid.

Doug

*If the money comes from the state, county, federal, or international governments, it is still OUR money (even if it doesn't come from Lakewood City Hall).

Disclaimer I am not necessarily against a peninsula. In fact, I think the park is terribly misused at the present time. I do not believe in the tooth fairy, though.

PS DL, as long as lottery money is properly allocated to the schools, I am sure all tobacco setlement money will be properly allocated, as well.

[dl meckes]

PS DL, as long as lottery money is properly allocated to the schools, I am sure all tobacco setlement money will be properly allocated, as well.

You bet.

[Jim O'Bryan]

A win win situation? I'm not trying to change the subject, but JOB this reminds me of how someone said the Savannah Peninsula would cost us nothing.* Please pass the Kool Aid.

Doug

I understand your point I really do, once the money hits the government coffers it is ours, and however it is spent it will cost us something somewhere else.

My point was, not our tax dollars. This comes from the tobacco settlement. Strickland seems to have thought this through as witnessed by his answers. Using groups already in place. Ease of filing for it, blanket deal based on age to make it simpler. Cover any loss to the schools so that it helps and does not hurt them.

One of the things I always hear about Lakewood is the high taxes forcing elderly out. This might address that one problem, might not.

I think it is a good plan. With more to come, this owas just a small part of the tobacco money.

As for the Peninsula, I am not sure it was NO COST, but if you build 100 acres of land in a built out community for $50 million, and one of the biggest detractors to the idea for personal reasons shrugs their shoulders and says it will only create $250 million in property. Am I missing something? Of course in a perfect world.


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