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Coffee, pigs and protests!By leondrolet, Section News
Coffee, anyone?
Tomorrow, commissioners in Macomb County vote on raising the county millage rate by 9%. Government employee unions and other proponents of this property tax hike argue that the increase will "only" cost the average Macomb County homeowner an additional $27 per year - "less than a cup of coffee per month". Okay, let's look at the average Macomb homeowner's recent tax and utility cost increases as "cups of coffee". A medium cup of plain coffee at Starbucks in Sterling Heights costs $1.75. The average millage rate in Macomb County is 33.87 mills and the average homeowner with a home worth $154,000 paid $2,608 in property taxes last year. The .04 mill veterans property tax increase approved by voters in November's election adds $3.25 to the average homeowner's property tax bill this year. That equals almost two cups of coffee. The new .1 mill zoo tax increase adds $7, or four cups of coffee to a homeowners 2009 property tax bill. This year's Proposal A inflationary increase of 4.4% will add another $105.60 to an average homeowner's bill. Another 60 cups of coffee. Property taxes are only part of the average homeowner's woes. Other government agencies also increased costs and fees. For example:
Detroit's Water and Sewer Department increased suburban water rates by 8.5% in 2008 and has scheduled a suburban rate increase of 8.9% this year. That's "only" about a $31 average increase each year - 18 cups of coffee in 2008 and another 18 cups this year.
More "coffee costs" from your state government: State regulators will also allow homeowners to be charged an additional $3 per month to meet a new state government mandate for renewable energy sources. Add almost 21 cups of coffee. State Treasury officials estimated last year's 12% state income tax increase from 3.9% to 4.35% cost the average family of four $157 last year (after deductions). 90 more cups of coffee. No more money for coffee? Tomorrow's vote of the Macomb County Board of Commissioners will "only" cost homeowners a few more cups of coffee. About 15 cups of Starbuck's plain medium., which means a Macomb homeowner will pay for 286 more cups of coffee in higher taxes and government-approved utility costs. About $500. Starbucks closes 961 stores When you consider that the average income of a homeowner in Michigan has declined every year since 2004, it comes as no surprise that people are suffering and cutting costs - even "basics" like coffee. Last year, Starbucks closed 661 stores. This past January, Starbucks announced the closing of an additional 300 stores - 200 in the U.S. People simply cannot afford any more cups of coffee, much less higher taxes on their homes. PROTEST this tax hike! Tomorrow! Tomorrow (Thursday, April 30), there will be a protest of this new tax hike at the Macomb County Administration Building at One South Main Street in downtown Mt. Clemens (map here: http://www.macombcountymi.gov/MACOMB_GOV/BOC_Map.htm). The protest starts at 5:30pm and lasts until 7:00 - the beginning of the commissioners' meeting when they vote on the tax increase. PLEASE attend this protest. County Commissioners need to know that you are paying attention and that you will NOT sit back and watch taxes go up as your property values and income decline. Bring a sign if you can, dress for the weather, and get ready to say "no way" to higher taxes that support unbelievably generous government employee benefits. We need to band together and act - now!
Leon Drolet
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