By: Diane Benjamin
I decided to tune into the council meeting last night only to see the 1% Sales tax vote. No one from the Town mentioned how much more they have been raking in from increased Sales Tax revenue. Several Trustees did. Everything you buy costs more so they are collecting a LOT more Sales Tax. Nobody but a public commenter and a few Council members mentioned the cannabis tax they are also raking in.
The Town’s position is citizens demand more from them and therefore nothing can be cut. You can view the slides presented starting at 23:00. One even states “Status Quo” is needed.
You have to put off purchases large and small because of inflation, the Town can’t. Several mentioned SNAP benefits for poor people mean they already don’t pay sales tax. Over their heads is the S in SNAP stands for SUPPEMENTAL. It doesn’t cover all food purchases!
Below are a few video cuts. If you want to see more the entire video cued to this discussion below. Chemberly Harris was completely uniformed starting at 34:12. Karyn Smith was ridiculous starting at 45:20. Kevin McCarthy was followed by staff and Chris Koos at 57:30. They prove why they are a continued threat to your wallet, government needs have priority over yours.
Kathleen Lorenz spoke again at 1:14:05. She stated the Council was not given options. Everything staff presented was hypothetical. She’s right – staff wanted this shoved down the council’s throats without adequate information. Of course four votes were easy to get.
Five people had to sit and wait until 1:25:10 to make public comments not pertaining to the agenda. In Council comments Andy Byars stated they should be able to talk at the beginning. Sound familiar? Nothing has changed since I quit watching Normal’s government. In Koosville nothing will.
The ever clueless Chemberly Harris thinks inflation is caused by corporate greed. Simple economics is WAY over her head. Corporations suddenly got greedy since Harris-Biden were installed but they weren’t before? – 39 seconds:
There was one public Comment at the beginning of the meeting. Craig Stimpert stated facts clearly – little over 3 minutes:
Andy Byars did a great job stating why he was a no vote – 2 minutes:
Scott Preston also voted no, he rambled some but ended strong – 5 minutes:
Kathleen Lorenz stated more facts about the plight of local residents and why she would vote no – little over 4 minutes:
If you want to watch all of the discussion – just hit play:
What is this Tierra Shickel? Chemberly Harris had her arms in front instead of her back.
Explains MUCH about Normal’s government.
Can’t wait until the city council and mayor suggest taxing having sex, after all that could be considered a luxury tax. What a windfall for the city. absurd thought yes but just another indicator of how out of control taxes have become. Time to throw the tea into the water!!!!!
Normal Staff, facts matter:
Public safety, parks, and debt are funded with property taxes.
Roads are funded with LMF tax.
The grocery tax is 1% on non-prepared food items only. Rotisserie chicken has the full sales tax applied. The utilities to prepare the food are taxed as well.
Personal hygiene, paper products (toilet paper), feminine products, cleaning supplies, and all other day-to-day necessities have the full 8.75% sales tax applied.
Shame on Normal.
Chemberly “understands that corporate greed has taken over”.
No. Government overspending has taken over and for once in her lifetime she needs to accept responsibility.
I really liked what Craig had to say. I disagree with him being opposed to the dispensaries but the point is valid. We have plenty of revenue. Shocking that Chemberly voted for this. She likely upset a lot of her extremist supporters who don’t believe in a food tax at all! It’s a shame that this town will be this way for a very long time.
The grocery tax genie is now out of the bottle. How long before the tax goes up to 2% or 3 or 10? The skies the limit and queen Pam and King Koos sees dollar signs!