By Robert Jozwiak

Anderson resident

Federal trade treaties passed into law by both Republicans and Democrats have created the economic hardship in Anderson, not property tax reform. For the last 18 months state Sen. Tim Lanane, who voted for House Bill 1001, has rallied local officials to denounce property tax reform and claim an impending budget crisis.

Police and firemen have relinquished recent raises and new hires have been threatened with layoffs. I personally feel sorry for local police, firemen and their families because of the unnecessary stress of job uncertainty, which has been placed on them. Public safety is too important and should never be used as a pawn by dishonest politicians to guarantee elevated salaries for family members and political cronies.

It is also unfair to the citizens of Anderson and Madison County. It is reprehensible that both city and county councilmen and the Anderson mayor threatened us with the fear of losing our public safety as a tool to scare us out of our hard-earned money.

The initial 17 percent increase in the state income tax was designed to offset any shortfalls caused by the reduction in our property tax bill. Most residents of Anderson have now received their property tax bill and are rightfully angry because the reality has been no reduction, most bills have increased.

This is outrageous because school funding was almost completely removed as a component in the property tax and is now paid through the sales tax. What is even more repulsive is Anderson Federation of Teachers President and City Councilman Rick Muir wanted the income tax increase so bad it appears he created a diversion by initiating an emotional school closing press release. This was picked up by Indianapolis television stations and played repeatedly over a 48-hour period.

School funding is now tied to student population.

This shortsighted foolishness again tarnished the image of our school system, drove away potential customers, reducing the revenue stream, and now Rick is going to cry about not having enough money to keep the schools open when he is most responsible for the budget shortfalls. It is shameful to use our children as political pawns.

Democrats are not the only ones responsible for the recent income tax increases. All three Republicans on the County Council had the chance to put off a vote on the COIT until next year. Unanimous approval was needed for the COIT resolution to be voted on and each Republican councilman pulled a John Kerry impression voting yes so they could vote no and blame the Democrats for the increased tax. Two Republican city councilmen pulled the same stunt before the trash tax was approved. Our city and county can ill afford these juvenile political games.

In the last 18 months Anderson city and county councils have levied a wheel tax, trash tax, income tax increase, electric and sewage rate increases. Combined with the initial sales tax. The average family of four, earning $30,000, with two cars, is paying at least $950 more each year than they were before these increases. If electric heat is being used, the cost is even more and I know nobody has received a property tax decrease of $950.

To create a budget crisis both city and county councils have contracted with highly compensated consultants who even admitted they were paid to provide worst-case financial scenarios. To act responsible, both government entities have laid off workers and have accepted voluntary pay cuts. I expect now that they have our money all of the pay cuts will be rescinded, the laid-off workers will be rehired, and the nepotism will continue.

It is not like this has not happened before. Remember, it was only last month that the judges got back their annual $5,000 incentive pay.