Financial Proof
As if the latest drink tax wasn't enough to damage the local economy of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh included, an independent research organization stated that our county has been steadily losing population since the 60's. The report attributes this to high taxes, out of control government spending and the overall negative effect that legislation by our local authorities has had on potential economic growth within the county. It amazes me that these elected officials pay no mind to our best interests.
The information provided by both the Auditor General of Pennsylvania and independent research wasn’t enough to sway the council members, or Dan Onorato, from their foolishly perceived positive impact that this new tax would have, versus an actual valid attempt to fix the broken Port Authority this tax is supposed to fund. Had Mr. Onorato or the County Council chosen to do even half of the research I have done on this issue prior to considering such a unnecessary and irresponsible measure to bolster the funding of the Port Authority, they might have come to the following conclusion. Previous instances of over-spending on behalf of poorly managed, antiquated mass-transit systems, have proven to be detrimental to the overall financial well-being of not only this, but several other cities in the U.S. Proving that it takes more than ill-justified taxation and spending on mass-transit to attempt to bolster economic and population growth. And in my opinion, especially when said funding comes at the expense of an already heavily taxed industry within the state.
http://www.auditorgen.state.pa.us/
http://www.alleghenyinstitute.org/blog/2006
Drink Tax -Pittsburgh Points:
- The money generated from this tax has absolutely no spending plan.
- This tax was passed to bail Port Authority out of their budget crisis, due to poor managment.
- The poor managment of the Port Authority is a direct result of Dan Onorato, who personally appoints all 9 members of the Port Authority's Board of Directors.
- This is not a Sin Tax. Allegheny County is still counting on people to drink to make money.
- This tax directly effects the income of hard working servers and bartenders that live and work in Allegheny County.
- If we let this tax go without a fight it will continue the ongoing precedence for other arbitrary taxes.
