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The Goose or the Golden Egg? Choose Wisely Date published: 6/27/2008
THE AXIOM suggests Stafford County has forged ahead in wages and local job growth by fostering the growth of businesses. Now, however, it stands at the crossroads in deciding whether the success of the past will be encouraged in the future. Why should anyone besides business owners care what happens to business? I suggest that there are two types of people who should care about business: Those who work for a living and those who care about anyone who works for a living. The financial well-being of our families is directly related to our economy. That is why the mission of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce is to "facilitate healthy economic growth." Healthy local economic growth has resulted in nearly 1,200 chamber members--businesses who employ almost 40,000 people. At a Stafford roundtable At the same January discussion, Stafford Supervisor Paul Milde noted that when jurisdictions negotiate with new businesses, one of the first concessions made is a reduction in local taxes. Without the BPOL tax, Stafford has a natural advantage in attracting business. As a result, business now pays 30 percent of Stafford's total revenue. In fact, Stafford County is one of the leaders in Virginia in developing jobs through
Bob Hagan is president of the FREDERICKSBURG regional chamber of commerce?
I agree with Mr. Hagan. BPOL is a mean card trick. I'd rather pay $200 more in personal property taxes than try and figure out what it wil lcost me on every product or service I purchase in the county. It is time the Supervisors LEAD, that is what we elected them to do. Raising taxes for residents may taste bad now, but it is the right thing to do if we want to fund services/schools/roads etc. To ignore this is fiscal suicide.
Mr. Nageotte says "A BPOL tax will cost Stafford residents, not businesses.", but fortunately regains his footing later in same letter and points out the adverse effect BPOL will have on businesses. I don't want spin and I do want accountability. Please, keep it real, truthful and civil.
In my opinion, doing so will hurt businesses and do little to encourage new businesses locating here to Stafford. Supervisor Milde makes many valid points in the OP-ED, but I'm going to have to disagree with his "reality that BPOL is among the most regressive of taxes." The brunt of the cost will be to business owners, not the poor. Yes, some of the cost will trickle down to us, but only pennies. Mr. Nageotte's letter to the editor (6/25) opening statement was also poorly worded (to be continued)
(and TRUTHSQUAD below) for shedding light on the full implications/consequences of BPOL. Mr. Hagan's "Opinion" constitutes a prudent, sage interpretation of the full ramifications of BPOL + not "hysterical rhetoric" as some suggest. BOS members should also take into account Comrade Obama's plans for increased business taxation (increased payroll taxes, depreciation timeframes not shortened, increased employee/employer SS "contributions"on upper income) *should* he be elected. I am not a business owner.
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