Keep in mind: Politicians never get enough of your money

A year ago, the voters of Manatee County were asked to vote for a half-cent increase in sales tax for the county, and the continuation of the half-cent sales tax for the public schools, which was about to expire. Both passed.

At that time, the school board, in their bid to get our votes, gave the impression that if we did not vote for the continuation of their sales tax they then would have to increase our property taxes. To me this was a threat!

As it turns out, they really wanted both as we are now finding out. The school board needs money, but during the recession the county commissioners, in all their wisdom, saw fit to stop collecting impact fees on new housing construction, from the builders/developers, for several years. Did they give any other businesses in the county such financial help? I think not!

All that money lost to the county and schools. Keep in mind that most of the money the commissioners get for their re-election campaigns comes from — developers. Plus the fact that a few years back we had a school superintendent and board that somehow, someway, had over $1 million just evaporate. Yep, just could not account for it.

One thing we must always remember. Whether it be local, state or federal, politicians never get enough of your money. Keep that in mind when you are asked to vote to increase YOUR taxes.

This story was originally published November 17, 2017 at 10:48 AM with the headline "Keep in mind: Politicians never get enough of your money."