That statement could be you or me complaining about ever increasing taxes. Or more appropriately, the words of just about every politician in office regarding our taxes.
That was the battle cry at most of the tax hearings in the last two weeks. The problem is, it is only partially true. The taxpayers are telling the truth - we can't afford these high taxes and the politicians are the ones being less than honest. They could reduce taxes to last year's dollar rates if they wanted. Think of their mentality this way: If there was a five dollar bill and a ten dollar bill on the same table and you could legally take either one with no repercussions, which one would you take? It's the nature of the beast - you take the ten dollar bill and you spend it, whether or not you need to. It's called "Government 101"!
The county could cut spending if they REALLY wanted. We have to stop paying for every feel good, money-losing project that comes down the pike. This budget year we are giving Ruth Eckerd Hall 2.5 million dollars, the Florida Orchestra $300,000, Clearwater/St. Petersburg International Airport 7.5 million dollars and the list goes on.
I know what you're thinking. Rick, that's only about 32 million out of a 2 billion dollar budget. My response - you need to start somewhere and I think that is as good a place as any.
P.S. I paid $75.00 for a copy of the 3" budget and believe me, there is more pork in there than in a rib joint!
Ric Cornelius is the Broker/Manager of Sand Key Realty Sales and Rentals, Inc. Sand Key Realty has three offices with 40 agents. One office is at 740 S. Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach, 727-443-0032; the second office is at 2701 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach, 727-595-5441; and the third office is at 309 Belleview Blvd., Belleair, 727-461-4200.