tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12509286.post113501883153299003..comments2024-03-01T07:43:16.529-06:00Comments on Smart City Memphis: Trends Call For Long-Term Tax SolutionsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12509286.post-45035973513060409122007-10-07T14:28:00.000-05:002007-10-07T14:28:00.000-05:00"Some of the same people in the legislature who ar..."Some of the same people in the legislature who are pushing to let Memphis and other cities have a payroll tax are also pushing to abolish the right Tennesseans now have to kill wheel tax increases via referendum."<BR/><BR/>Of course. Most conservative politicians aren't against taxes... they're against rich people paying them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12509286.post-1136348976028234372006-01-03T22:29:00.000-06:002006-01-03T22:29:00.000-06:00Larry, thanks for the compliment. It it weren't f...Larry, thanks for the compliment. It it weren't for liberal revolutionaries, we'd still be singing, "God Save The Queen." That said, economists of all political stripes agree that income taxes are the most progressive, and as we've previously reported, Memphis has one of the most regressive tax structures in the country.Smart City Consultinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13985783340016474051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12509286.post-1136059641185429392005-12-31T14:07:00.000-06:002005-12-31T14:07:00.000-06:00Some of the same people in the legislature who are...Some of the same people in the legislature who are pushing to let Memphis and other cities have a payroll tax are also pushing to abolish the right Tennesseans now have to kill wheel tax increases via referendum.<BR/><BR/>I have a long post on the constitutionality of the income tax here: http://billhobbs.com/2005/12/the_fix_is_in.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12509286.post-1135947222909620802005-12-30T06:53:00.000-06:002005-12-30T06:53:00.000-06:00I know I'm dealing with left-wing idealogues here ...I know I'm dealing with left-wing idealogues here ... but, IMO, an income/payroll tax is the most evil of taxes. <BR/><BR/>In order to make things a little "fairer" if an income/payroll tax is implemented, I should get one vote for every dollar I pay in income/payroll tax! And anyone who pays it should get a vote whether they live in the city or not! (It's that taxation without representation thing.) Until that is part of the reform package, you can bet I will oppose any imposition of an oppressive income/payroll tax.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12509286.post-1135291399054807162005-12-22T16:43:00.000-06:002005-12-22T16:43:00.000-06:00It's our feeling that pursuing development fees di...It's our feeling that pursuing development fees diverts energy that should be spent on the fundamental changes needed in our tax structure. If there are to be development fees, it seems that they should be built on a reformed tax structure, not on the one we have now.Smart City Consultinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13985783340016474051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12509286.post-1135286712536681192005-12-22T15:25:00.000-06:002005-12-22T15:25:00.000-06:001) There are differing legal opinions on whether t...1) There are differing legal opinions on whether the Legislature can enact a bill (without Constitutional amendment) that treats a payroll tax as a privilege tax on employment. We contend that we need to resolve this once and for all with action by the legislature. <BR/><BR/>2)If the 88,000 people who work in Shelby County but live in other counties would suddenly quit their jobs, they'd be out of work. There's a reason they're not working in their home county. It's Shelby County that is the economic generator for the region. It's the center of employment, of culture, of entertainment, and all things that make it attractive for these people to live in adjoining counties in the first place.<BR/><BR/>3) The proposal for a payroll tax that is floating around the community would require cuts in the sales tax rate, elimination of the wheel tax and reduction of the county tax rate by more than $1.00. A referendum of the public would be needed before a wheel tax could be reenacted or the sales tax increased or the payroll tax rate increased. That seems unlikely to happen, so the total restructuring of the county tax structure - which is the only answer to one of the most regressive and unfair in the U.S., which we now have - will solve out tax challenges. Without changes in the tax structure, residents of Shelby County will have higher and higher property taxes.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the questions and the discussion.Smart City Consultinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13985783340016474051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12509286.post-1135234556163625942005-12-22T00:55:00.000-06:002005-12-22T00:55:00.000-06:001. legislative action wouldn't suddenly make a pay...1. legislative action wouldn't suddenly make a payroll tax constitutional, unless by that you mean the legislature would be amending the state's constitution.<BR/><BR/>2. if they all suddenly quit, would Memphis be better or worse off?<BR/><BR/>3. i fail to see how adding an additional tax category to the city's repertoire would limit the city's ability to increase taxes, rather than expand its reach. enlighten me.Mick Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14134514271093460504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12509286.post-1135206888954866642005-12-21T17:14:00.000-06:002005-12-21T17:14:00.000-06:001) There is the possibility that a payroll tax can...1) There is the possibility that a payroll tax can be enacted by the state legislature, and that should be pursued.<BR/>2) The sales taxes paid by workers in Shelby County hardly begin to scratch the surface of the local costs of the infrastructure and amenities they enjoy here.<BR/>3) If you believe that the political class is crooked and incompetent, you should support a payroll tax, because it would limit their abilities to pass tax increases. You might want to read the earlier blog post about Shelby County's ranking as one of the most regressive tax structures in the country.Smart City Consultinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13985783340016474051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12509286.post-1135135882023968232005-12-20T21:31:00.000-06:002005-12-20T21:31:00.000-06:00Just a few things to note: 1. payroll taxes are un...Just a few things to note: <BR/><BR/>1. payroll taxes are unconstitutional in Tennesse<BR/><BR/>2. out-of-town workers aren't simply piglets sucking on the public nipple. They also contribute to the city in the form of sales taxes, not to mention via the activity known as "work," which benefits Memphians both directly and indirectly.<BR/><BR/>3. taxes may be a way of life, but so is government spending, and the two must be in check. so long as Memphis' political class is crooked and incompetent, I find it unwise to offer them another source of revenue to exploit.<BR/><BR/>Other than that, great post.Mick Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14134514271093460504noreply@blogger.com