Share The Penny

[Night Owl]

find your own revenue, do as the county did and go to the state and ask for your own 1% sales tax.

I'm sure that will go over very well with the local residents, they will then have to pay 9.25% in sales tax, which as you said, shouldn't have there in the first place.

but its not responsible to bail out a fiscally irresponsible entity

Why not? The city of Buffalo 'bailed out the fiscally irresponsible entity of Erie County'... that's how this whole thing started.

No he is taking advantage of the state who keeps approving it.

Is it really that difficult to tell the state we no longer need the additional sales tax? Why would it be so hard to go to legislation as say we would like for the sales tax to be lifted? He's in it up to his elbows and going right along for the money.
It's all about the Benjamins!

Keep one key point in mind. I think the extra 1% should be removed.

I think the city should get it's fair share and then have it removed.

[yokes]

I'm sure that will go over very well with the local residents, they will then have to pay 9.25% in sales tax, which as you said, shouldn't have there in the first place.

As will the business's as they follow them out of town. Now you're seeing it

Why not? The city of Buffalo 'bailed out the fiscally irresponsible entity of Erie County'... that's how this whole thing started.

2 wrongs do not make a right

Is it really that difficult to tell the state we no longer need the additional sales tax? Why would it be so hard to go to legislation as say we would like for the sales tax to be lifted? He's in it up to his elbows and going right along for the money.

My vote goes to anyone who is willing to do the things that need to be done in the county and all cities/towns withing the county to wein us all off this tax.

I think the city should get it's fair share and then have it removed.

Dont mess the frosting on the cake while trying to eat it

[Night Owl]

yokes:
but its not responsible to bail out a fiscally irresponsible entity

Night Owl:
Why not? The city of Buffalo 'bailed out the fiscally irresponsible entity of Erie County'... that's how this whole thing started.

yokes:
2 wrongs do not make a right

It's called 'an eye for an eye. The city of Buffalo opted to help the county when they were in trouble, and now that the city of Buffalo is in a pinch for money, the county is telling us to take a hike.

Night Owl:
I think the city should get it's fair share and then have it removed.

That was a slice of dry humor, I apologize.

[yokes]

It's called 'an eye for an eye. The city of Buffalo opted to help the county when they were in trouble, and now that the city of Buffalo is in a pinch for money, the county is telling us to take a hike.

if they share it is the city willing to take back Pilot err North Americare errr Dunn Tire park, and all the other entities the county is paying for?

That was a slice of dry humor, I apologize.
I figured but was having a craving for Cake and it worked out for both of us

[dtwarren]

Originally posted by yokes
You are all forgetting one thing. The extra 1% asside for now. This is a county sales tax. Technically they can do whatever they want with it. They fact they give back 50% of what they collect is more than they have to, they could put it nder a mattress, or better for all of us not collect it at all, reduce the rate to just enough to cover county expenses and no-one gets any back.

If the city wants to collect a sales tax they have this ability.

This points to another way that the City of Buffalo has been helping the villages and towns in this county that are now turning their backs on it. You are correct the City has the power under Tax Law section 1203 to institute its own sales tax. However towns and villages do not. A long time ago there was an unwritten agreement/compromise where the city would not impose its own sales tax. In return the county would share its sales tax in the manner that exists today.

Another way the city is different from towns and villages and even certain other cities is that it is one of the "Big 6" and therefore its school board does not have the power to levy its own school taxes and therefore the schools' needs that are above the amount received from the State is taken out of the city's general fund.

I mention these two points to show that the penny is not the answer. The answer is a top down restructuring of the division of obligations and sources of revenue. I for one sure regret that we did not get a constitutional convention in '97 our next hope is 2017.

[Night Owl]

A long time ago there was an unwritten agreement/compromise where the city would not impose its own sales tax. In return the county would share its sales tax in the manner that exists today.

The whole purpose of this thread is bringing to light what the county is not doing.

You say 'county would share its sales tax in the manner that exists today', but the county is not sharing anything with the city of Buffalo... today. And hasn't for many years.

I mention these two points to show that the penny is not the answer.

We have not conceded to the fact that a percentage of the penny is the solution to cure all Buffalo's problems.

PS. I don't know if this means anything to anyone, but the City of Buffalo is the County Seat. Which means, Buffalo is the main municipality of county government, so when it comes to asking for a 'fair share' of the sales tax, we are not in the wrong.

IMO- doing away with the tax before Buffalo partakes in a piece would be like the city remains under the county's financial thumb, especially when the county is now out of the red tape.

[dtwarren]

Originally posted by Night Owl

You say 'county would share its sales tax in the manner that exists today', but the county is not sharing anything with the city of Buffalo... today. And hasn't for many years.

This is technically incorrect. The County is not sharing the "temporary" 1% sales tax it is sharing according to the long standing agreement the base 3% sales tax. The formula for the division/sharing was already previously posted from the comptroller's site.

[Night Owl]

The County is not sharing the "temporary" 1% sales tax

I apologize, I was referring to the 'temp tax' that is not being shared with the city and I should have been more specific in my post.

[citymouse]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by yokes


"but its not responsible to bail out a fiscally irresponsible entity."


So it wasn't right for the city to agree to the one percent when the county needed to be bailed out in 1985?

I know two wrongs don't make a right, BUT.....
I don't see the wrong in it because the money is collected in the city, so how is giving back to the city what is collected in the city over and above what the county is legally entitled to a bail out?The county should be more fiscally responsible and get along on seven percent and get rid of the penny. Legally the county is only allowed to collect seven percent. The penny is an exception, it has to be renewed each year. If Joel is sincere about lowering taxes he should stop asking to have it renewed. Lead by example.
As long as the money is coming in he should do the right thing and give it out on the basis of how it is collected.

And another point, we are a community at least we were in 1985 when we all united to bail out the county. We should have the same attitude now that the big guy (Buffalo) is in trouble.

[citymouse]

Does anyone know if all the county property ( court houses, Rath office building ETC..) is exempt from city property taxes?
How about water bills and user fee?
It would be interesting to find out.

[Night Owl]

If Joel is sincere about lowering taxes he should stop asking to have it renewed. Lead by example.
and
As long as the money is coming in he should do the right thing and give it out on the basis of how it is collected.

These are the two main points that have the people of Buffalo up in arms. Whether the state keeps the Penny going or not, the County Executive can't continue to ignor the city as it has.

[Night Owl]

Now this is something you guys have to see...

Taxable Sales & Purchases 3/99 - 2/00 Erie County.
LINK: Annual State and Local Tax Base

[Revolting!]

I really dig your posts and had a hell of a time sifting through this lot of woe to find one of your posts

You have disabled the Private Message and E-mail portion of your account so I am force to "go public" and say Hello!

Hang in and keep posting because I enjoy what you write!

[Night Owl]

And another point, we are a community at least we were in 1985 when we all united to bail out the county. We should have the same attitude now that the big guy (Buffalo) is in trouble.

citymouse, I Totally agree. I can't believe I missed this point the first time

--------------------------

Oh, welcome to the boards, Revolting!
I think Yokes makes some very valid points here on the site too.

[Night Owl]

Great article about the sales tax & the extra Penny

NYS Senate Passes extension of 1% sales tax for erie county