One-half cent increase in sales tax proposed by PB County

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News flash from Tea Party--

On Tuesday, May 1st, the Palm Beach County Commission will be considering a $100 Million, 1/2% increase (raising existing 6% to 6.5%) in the sales tax to fund transportation related spending. The Administrator is requesting board feedback on putting this proposed tax on the November ballot, and the Commission must give approval prior to the August 10th ballot language deadline.

The agenda item is 4A2 – and it falls early in the morning’s schedule – after special presentations and the Consent Agenda, and an item related to the Supervisor of Elections.

South Florida Tea Party has issues with this proposed sales tax increase:

This is a tax increase. It affects most purchases and services. And unlike the fire/rescue sales surtax proposed to the Commission in 2010, it makes no claims that it will be revenue neutral nor is it accompanied by any decrease in ad valorem.

This tax would be permanent. Unlike the recently expired school sales tax, this tax is not for a specific set of projects nor does it have an end date.

This will be a revenue windfall for the county. We remain in an economy close to recession. Inflation is already here in our fuel and food prices, and will continue to increase.

There is no accountability. The spending isn’t subject to any board, nor does the county have any performance or productivity benchmarks.