Campaign Newsroom
Prepared remarks on the tax rate
April 26, 2005
Leesburg Taxpayers have been under assault from all levels - we're enduring a tax increase from the County, states sales tax increase, toll road fee increases, rising gas prices. This list goes on. Now we're down to the town level. You've had the opportunity to watch this attack on Leesburg residents. I implore that you reject that oppressive 24% tax increase. The proposed half cent cut in the 22 cent tax rate is barely a token gesture. It is proof that the Council recognizes our taxes are going up too much, but chooses not to do anything of substance. It will still be the largest tax increase in Leesburg history. A real tax cut has been proposed but the Council appears to be ignoring it.
I believe the Council thinks it can hide behind a tiny rate cut as holding the line on taxes. If I'm wrong, then if assessments were unchanged, the Council would have proposed a tax rate of 27 cents.
I spoke last time and many times before how residents have told me they are being taxed out of Leesburg. In the past few weeks, I've spoken to many more people. No one has told me they support this tax increase; instead I have heard more stories about those who are escaping to places like Winchester and further west. That is just wrong.
The Town needs to reassess its priorities. Though you may ask how is the town going to pay for its needs, the greater question is how are the families of Leesburg going to pay for their needs.
I've seen a number of expenses that the proposed budget will pay for. I am not going to go through each item for you. That was your job. Several people tonight have spoken to specifics. But a smaller one stuck out. $30,000 is going to subsidize advertising for downtown businesses. The Town Council has an obvious interest in appearing business friendly, but it wants to take away our disposable income to help draw us downtown to patronize the businesses. Not only does this not make sense, but it is wrong. There are numerous home-based businesses in this town - including my own - that are going to be paying to help other businesses. Once again, that is just wrong.
Actions have consequences, and your actions will tax the residents and the businesses out of Leesburg.