Montco Trick Budget Via Community College Scam — Minority Republican commissioner Joe Gale, Dec. 1, revealed a twisted scam in Montgomery County’s 2017 budget that would sneak in a major new burden on the taxpayer by shifting funding for the county community college.
The county had been funding the college — $18 million last year — through the operating budget. Montco’s 2017 budget calls for a community college tax that would cost Montco tax payers additional $22.3 million.
The $18 million from the operating budget would go to other things.
Gale started his revelation with the taxes imposed by Democrat majority in the year since Joe won election.
“I have seen my Democrat colleagues do money grab after money grab and enough is never enough,” he said.
He noted that just before he was sworn in commissioners Valerie A. Arkoosh and Josh Shapiro passed a 9.87 percent increase on Montco property owners generating over $18 million in new revenue.
“But that wasn’t enough,” he said.
He said in February in they increased health inspection fees on Montgomery County businesses with a built in 2 percent over three consecutive years.
“But that wasn’t enough,” he said.
He said that in September they increased the vehicle registration fees on car and truck owners in Montgomery County generating $3.5 million in new revenue.
“But that wasn’t enough,” he said. “They are now doubling taxes on those visiting Montgomery County by increasing the hotel tax by 100 percent.”
Gale said that since new property taxes are off the table, due to last year’s hike, the Democrats “need to find a new way to get more of the people’s money.”
And they have with a proposed community college tax.
“Let’s be honest about what this really is, this is a trick budget,” he said. “The Democrats are doing what they always do. Increasing taxes and government spending while pretending all the money is going to our schools and students. This so-called community college tax is taking an additional $22.3 million out of the pockets of county homeowners and my Democrat colleagues will tell you that all that money is going to fund the community college but don’t be fooled.”
Gale said that less than one-fourth of the revenue generated from this tax is actually new funding for the college. He said that in previous budgets money for the college was taken from the county’s operating budget which was $18 million last year.
He said the new tax shifts money from the county to the taxpayers as a new burden.
“Meanwhile county spending increases by $18 million,” he said.
After this revelation, Gale blasted Shapiro — who recently won the office of state attorney general — calling him out on things ranging from broken campaign promises to catering to special interests and campaign donors.
He cites specifics.
Here is a video of Gale’s comments. The part regarding Shapiro starts at the 2:46 mark and is worth watching.
Montco Trick Budget Via Community College Scam
