One Percent Sales Tax Increase for Public Schools

[CityLife]

Mayoral candidate Warren Lee proposed this idea last night at the debate. He proposed that the sales tax be increased by one %, with all of the increased money allocated to Duval County Schools.

What are everyone's thoughts on this?

I would be in favor, especially if this would prevent the school board from shutting down sports, art programs, etc, though I think they are just using that as a threat to show how dire the budgetary issue is.

I would be willing to bet that >25% of all sales taxes paid in Duval County are from outsiders anyways. People come from all over to shop, eat, and play in Duval County. So the beauty of the idea is that the full burden wouldn't be put on Duval County taxpayers to make up any budgetary shortages.

Its not like people from South Georgia are going to say, "no lets not go to Jacksonville to shop at River City Marketplace or Town Center because of the 8% sales tax".

Anyone think this is a reasonable solution to our budgetary issues? Is it feasible for a mayor to enact the sales change?

[simms3]

People who have relocated to Jacksonville from other cities are most likely used to paying higher sales taxes (and higher ad valorem taxes).  Even Birmingham, AL has a 10% sales tax.  8-9% seem to be the norm for most large cities.  From what I remember, Chicago is 11%, which is a bit extreme.

I propose that we do raise sales taxes by another half penny or full penny with a 30 year sunset, and that we increase our overall ad valorem taxes in the COJ to about 22 mil if we increase sales tax to 8% and 23.5 mil if we increase sales tax to 7.5% (my ratios are probably way off, just thinking off the top of my head on how to increase the tax base to a certain higher level with a combo sales tax increase and ad valorem increase...I can't think on the top of my head how the gas tax in Duval affects the budget).

None of my proposed increases are "dramatic" if enacted over a period of a couple years (for the ad valorem...the sales can go into effect immediately).

[Garden guy]

It would deffinatley help the situation if we can only keep the little fingers of our leaders out of the pot. Unless we've got some politicians with different minds coming into play this probably won't pay the rich republicans that run this city. They've spent years and years defunding our educational system in jax and i don't really see them changing their minds.

[Duuuvalboy]

That's the case.. We need to vote them out.. We tired of the rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer... Sad, cause people accept this time of living.. That's why I have respect for other countries.. They not going to let people run them into the ground especially when they getting off on the citizen.. America = No backbone

[Shwaz]

Any estimate what a 1% increase would equal in revenue? I agree our sales tax % is low compared to other cities. If it closes the gap on the educational budget and insures higher education level and elective programs - make it 2% or 3% more.

[thelakelander]

If we're going to talk sales tax increase, I think the discussion should be larger than one issue.  This city is suffering in a variety of areas (ex. like port infrastructure expansion) and they all cost money.  Maybe the discussion should be about a BJP2 that includes education but also addresses several other areas of need as well.

[hillary supporter]

i feel that such is a reasonable approach to many revenue problems facing all governing bodies. Note that i am stressing revenue in particular. Most opposition would come concerning the principle involved. I can hear it already, " Why should i pay 1% more for schools that don't work?". This is the
simple (not easy) solution to the national deficit, a federal sales tax. Many countries institute such instead of a income tax. Such prevails to, whats known here, as the fair tax.
Anyhow, i salute candidate Lee for putting his campaign on the line with his statement.

[simms3]

Strongly opposed to a federal sales tax here.  Strongly opposed.  We call that a VAT tax and it stinks to high heaven.  Keep it local.  I really don't even like the idea of the federal government having their hands in public schools.  Again, keep it local or keep it private.

The BJP was a half penny increase that supposedly was forecast to raise $2.2 billion right?  That tax was enacted in September of 2000 right?  Well around that time anyway.  It will sunset in September of 2030.  In our region, there is another sales tax that sunsets sometime in 2019.  This may be in Clay County, though.  Regardless, we have a permanent half penny increase already, so our base in Duval County is 6.5%.  If nothing is done, it will be 6.5% again in 2030.

And for estimates, if we are to believe that an additional half percent increase raised $2.2 billion over 30 years, then with our higher population base starting point, perhaps a whole percent increase can raise close to $5-5.5 billion over 30 years.  I don't feel like working out any equations right now.  I don't know if any numbers in the original BJP were adjusted for minute inflation and I don't know how the city calculates its estimates.  I'm sure the final numbers depend on inflation, population growth, income growth, per capita GDP, CPI, etc etc.  Purchasing power and spending habits come into play, and both depend on numerous factors.

[Garden guy]

If we're going to talk sales tax increase, I think the discussion should be larger than one issue.  This city is suffering in a variety of areas (ex. like port infrastructure expansion) and they all cost money.  Maybe the discussion should be about a BJP2 that includes education but also addresses several other areas of need as well.

I'm sorry but too many people pinching from the pot in this city is never a good idea. One tax addition and that amount going to the schools....if you get a bunch of people pulling for the money politics comes into play and that'll fuck it all up.

[simms3]

And educational funding isn't political?  Please, there's hardly anything more political.

FWIW, just across the border there is not one politician or state citizen that isn't supporting the Port of Savannah in whichever way necessary.  Talk about a unifying factor, everyone in Georgia from metro Atlanta to the rural areas, from the Teapartiers to the Commies, from the rich to the poor, men and women, black and white, gay and straight, Christian and Muslim, you get the picture, supports funding and expanding the Port of Savannah.  The funny thing is, it was not difficult to convince anyone of the benefits.  Everyone in the state benefits in some way and there is really only one decision to make: fund or not fund.

With education, it's more complex than fund or not fund.  It's fund what?  Fund how?  Why fund?  Strings attached?  What changes will we need to make to the education system to get enough people on board?  Etc etc.  There is almost nothing more political than public education funding.

[hillary supporter]

Strongly opposed to a federal sales tax here.  Strongly opposed.  We call that a VAT tax and it stinks to high heaven.  Keep it local.  I really don't even like the idea of the federal government having their hands in public schools.  Again, keep it local or keep it private.

Yes, in this application, it would have to be local. I'm ignorant of the impact of the Department of Education on education in America. Its one of the most recently created cabinet posts, we could probably cut a lot of fiscal budget by eliminating this department?

[BridgeTroll]

If we're going to talk sales tax increase, I think the discussion should be larger than one issue.  This city is suffering in a variety of areas (ex. like port infrastructure expansion) and they all cost money.  Maybe the discussion should be about a BJP2 that includes education but also addresses several other areas of need as well.

As a Republican... Depending on the details I could support a "targeted" 1% sales tax to fund education.  In fact... I have always favored "targeted" taxes.  For example... our 7% sales tax... 1% to schools, 2% to x, 2% to y, and 2% for z.  I would go one step further... the tax would come up for a vote every two years or have it coincide with the mayoral election...

[CS Foltz]

BT...........thought that was the whole purpose of the "Lottery"? I concur with your general train of thought but have to question whether the taxpayers can sustain another tax increase of any type! Property taxes have increased over the past two years while value's have gone down the hill.........so where do we draw the line as to accountability, something is gone or going wrong!

[uptowngirl]

Agree CS- plus the admin in public school system needs to be drastically cut, not our classrooms. I would agree to a sales tax AFTER the appropriate admin cuts are made, but quit putting all the responsibility on home owners- I believe NON-homeowners children go to school also?

[buckethead]

A 1% tax on consumption dedicated to education is a no brainer.

Now I am unclear whether it is a 1% increase in sales tax or an additional 1% tax increase.

How much per year does a 1% additional sales tax garner in Duval county?

Would home schooled households be off the hook?

What's up with JC?