Reality Check

The path towards the rental care tax took another turn yesterday when Councilmembers have put up new resistance. Councilmen Dillon and Reilly want to look at the tax only as a last resort. On the other side of the spectrum, Councilman Benoit wants to pass the tax only if revenues are earmarked for the education budget. And Delegate Beidle takes the Maxwell line and says the piggyback tax should be raised first.

But the real gem of this Sun article is near the bottom:

Leopold said he would impose the tax only if all efforts to find savings were exhausted and necessary services could not be maintained without added revenue. He has already imposed a hiring freeze of 200 positions and cut about $1.5 million through internal restructuring.

"I am loath to talk about any tax increase of any kind," Leopold said. "It's my responsibility as the fiscal leader of this county to do all that I can to prepare the county for the looming financial challenges on the horizon. I think it would be irresponsible not to."

Asked if he is considering other taxes, Leopold said: "I will cross that bridge when I get to it."

Which is code for "I'm going to raise taxes, I just don't know how much and which taxes, but it's coming so be ready."

So much for Leopold's promise not to raise taxes, an issue that we deal with and take Leopold to task for on the new Conservative Refuge Podcast that will be posted soon...