Hey, Carroll -- A T.O. sales tax isn't courageous, it's dumb
By SUE-ANN LEVY, TORONTO SUN
Budget chief Shelley Carroll warned reporters late last week that unless City Hall looks at sustainable funding -- namely a dedicated Toronto sales tax -- the city won't have enough staff left to serve residents in the next 10 years.
Budget chief Shelley Carroll warned reporters late last week that unless City Hall looks at sustainable funding -- namely a dedicated Toronto sales tax -- the city won't have enough staff left to serve residents in the next 10 years.
The Mistress of Doubletalk (MofDT) and potential mayoral candidate said there needs to be an "honest dialogue" during next year's election about such a tax -- what she called the "courageous thing" to do to permanently fix the city's perennial funding woes.
Carroll also kept a straight face as she brazenly contended every year under the leadership of Mayor David Miller they've "cut things" and said "no" to wishes residents have asked for.
"There are a lot of things we've had to say no to or had to reduce," she said. "Management has been reduced (in every department)... there are empty desks throughout this building."
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry at Carroll's contentions.
If there are indeed empty desks at Socialist Silly Hall, that's news to me -- especially since she herself was the architect of this year's $8.7-billion operating budget which increased spending by $500 million and called for the hiring of 1,040 more employees.
To be blunt, I hope Carroll or whoever decides to take up the gauntlet for the NDP in the mayor's race keeps pushing the idea of a Toronto sales tax. It's the fastest route to political suicide. At long last, maybe we overtaxed Torontonians will be free of the socialist lock on our pocketbooks.
But whether the "honest conversation" about sustainable funding she's seeking will actually have legs in next year's mayoralty race (the province has said no new tax) it just shows how arrogant and stupid the socialist regime has become in its desperate attempt to dig itself out of a deep fiscal hole.
"They think they can get away with whatever they want," said Coun. Doug Holyday. "They think they are entitled to tax dollars."
Yes indeed. In fact, the MofDT has a lot of chutzpah begging for more cash, considering we've been hit with property tax increases above the rate of inflation, a garbage tax, water rate hikes of 9% per year, duplicate land transfer and personal vehicles taxes, cat and dog fees and a host of creative user fees -- all under her watch.
There's a new plan going before the next meeting of council to tax all third-party signs with the bulk of the revenue (as much as $10 million when fully in place) to go to Miller's arts and culture buddies.
Tomorrow, a city committee will be considering new user fees that include $50 to set up a new tax account, $35 to change the ownership of an existing utility account and $2 to pay for parking tickets online.
And the TTC is poised to raise fares yet again -- this time across the board.
Anyone who doesn't have their hand out for some City Hall largesse -- meaning those other than the NDP's union and special interest buddies -- realizes Carroll and Co. don't have a revenue problem. They have a spending problem.
Holyday says the moving and vehicle taxes were supposed to be the "saviour" but aren't because the Miller regime keeps on spending.
IT'S JUST 'STUPID'
Coun. Case Ootes called it "stupid" to give a moment's thought to imposing more taxes when Carroll and Co. have made no effort to control costs.
Catherine Swift, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, was livid with the budget chief's "shameless" talk about more tax money, when there is so much "excessive flab" at the city.
"All they're looking to do is put their hands in your pocket again ... never do they look at their own behaviour," she said. "I just throw my hands up in the air."
SUE-ANN.LEVY@SUNMEDIA.CA
Your Comments
The last thing is another tax in T.O. Go ahead, drive the final nail into the coffin. You wonder why businesses are moving to outside the city? You are not residential or business friendly. Here is a suggestion. Sit down and cut spending. Cut out all the special reports, surveys, salaries of council members, perks, the waste of money on pet projects and do what they were elected too do, "Govern"!!!. They are not governing at city council, it is a circus, a free for all give away, at the end of the day, nothing is accomplished, the city is still a dump and not worthy of worldly status. A bunch of kids could do a better job or at least there would be a good excuse for the childish behaviour. Most in council are in over their heads.
Robert Reeson, November 9th 2009, 4:01am