Publisher: Let’s look at the big picture on tax proposals

Although we know there will be a proposed property tax on the April ballot to fund the struggling Capital Area Transit System, there’s been no word on what’s to come of a proposed tax to help fight crime, says Business Report Publisher Rolfe McCollister. “And what about new taxes in 2013? What is ahead for East Baton Rouge Parish? Instead of talking about each of these proposed tax issues one at a time, maybe our community needs a conversation about taxes, our priorities and what we expect from our government—and how it is run,” says McCollister in his latest column. “We can’t just have everyone proposing—or asking us to pass—a new tax in a vacuum. We need to ask, what is the big picture? And then voters must decide their priorities, both on any new taxes and on eliminating other government services to cover the costs without new taxes. Tough choices, but this alternative must be an option instead of just asking property owners to pay more and more.” Read the full column here to get McCollister’s view on the CATS tax and others being discussed. Send your comments to editors@businessreport.com.