Raise sales tax to handle pension crisis?

[thelakelander]

Just my two cents, but if we're going to consider raising taxes just to get a grip on our pension situation, we might as well make sure we get some quality of life enhancements out of this as well...

By David Chapman, Staff Writer

A day after the idea for a property tax increase faded, the possibility for a sales-tax bump took center stage.
Fourteen City Council members took part in the discussion Tuesday, weighing options on how an increased sales tax could pay down the city's more than $1.6 billion in unfunded public safety pension liability.

The three options: implement a never-before used increase meant for fire rescue services and facilities; increase the tax for infrastructure purposes; or lobby the Florida Legislature for a specific tax for paying it down.

The fire-tax option would require a millage increase, which later would be dropped if voters passed a referendum on the sales tax. No other Florida municipality has tried it. The intent was for it to be revenue neutral. And it's "completely complicated," city attorney Stephen Durden told the group.

With so many moving parts, no council member showed support — it was out.

Full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=543592

[spuwho]

Using a special consumption tax just for pensions is not the best policy. I would rather see a property tax adjustment, that is a more appropriate revenue source for this kind of activity.

Not sure why we are collectively adverse to property taxes. The state has lowered them twice in last 8 years. Even if they raised them for the pensions we would still be below the rates paid in 2006.

[mtraininjax]

Using a special consumption tax just for pensions is not the best policy. I would rather see a property tax adjustment, that is a more appropriate revenue source for this kind of activity.

Not sure why we are collectively adverse to property taxes. The state has lowered them twice in last 8 years. Even if they raised them for the pensions we would still be below the rates paid in 2006.

Because all property tax increases do is increase the burden on people who own property, who then pass it on to the people who rent and those poor people, the ones in the food lines and who get benefits from Uncle sam never have to pay for the poor bastards who come and pick them up in a police car or ambulance. Sales tax is fairer and everyone who is in the city pays for it, we all use the police and fire, time now for everyone to pay the piper. We're all in this together.

I'm still paying for Peyton's BS Stormwater "fees" which are nothing more than a tax on horse-hockey JEA taxes. Sales tax is fair and everyone pays for it, the people at the airport, the people passing through for buying the candy bar at the gas station, the homeless who buy booze. If you live in Duval County, you should be paying a sales tax to support the debacle of previous mayoral administrations who knew this would be an issue.......but did not one damn thing about it!