In this uncertian economy I like to know what the state and the local government officials and the counties are doing to help small businesses and their owners survive the economic downturn. They are the ones who benefit the most from having small businesses opearte locally and within the state.
I have not seen the local real estate taxes go down although the property values have plummeted. Other local levies are also going up rather than down. The state taxes are going up as well because of operating budget shortfalls. Electricity, water, sewer, you name it it is going up. How is a small business owner to survive under these circumstances ?
The irony of it all is they also have to pay some or these same expenses once again in their personal capacity if they own a home as well. So there is a double whammy and do you think the local government officials care ? I have not seen one of them get up and pass a resolution or even talk about giving a break to the small business owners who are drowning in debt.
Not one official is talking about lowering taxes. In fact I heard that they were planning on incresing the state taxes because of budget shortfalls. I have not heard the assessors office say they will voluntarily lower the property taxes because of declining property values.
I also have not heard any county officials say you can skip your property taxes since your business did not make any money this year. That would be wishful thinking because some of them are thinking of ways to spend every dime they get this year so that they can tax us more the coming year.
I cannot live beyond my means. Why is it then that the local and state governments are living beyond their means and we the tax payers and business owners become the victims of their bad planning and judgement.
We need to change the system. I guess everyone is so busy trying to survive that they dont have any time to see what these officials are doing. Reminds me of Nero who played the violin while Rome was burning !
