Over the past few years there has been a lot of controversy locally about whether or not to allow "big box" stores into our little community. Some people think the huge retail chain outlets will destroy our small town atmosphere. Others want the convenience and savings that can only be found in a building with seven million square feet stacked floor to ceiling with discounted merchandise from every third world country in the solar system.
This is from the local news this morning, quoting our city administrator, siting a study made two years ago, "the city and the county have each lost $414,000 per year in sales tax revenue by not having Lowe's in the community."
Public officials say this kind of thing all the time. "We are losing money." By "we" they mean whatever government entity they work for. But it is the definition of "losing" that is of real interest. It means there is money out there that could be collected with a new tax or fee or regulation or permit or whatever. In this case it alludes to the fact that more taxes could be assessed if this development were allowed to go forward. How is that losing? Losing almost never means they had the money and it disappeared or was wasted due to bumbling incompetence and criminal negligence.
Whatever their title, city administrator, tax collector, treasurer, chief petty parking enforcement dude or purveyor of the public trust, these people seem to think they have a right to our money. If there is a way to get more of it and they are not doing so, well then, "we are losing money". And the people better wake up and put pressure on their leaders to right this wrong being done to them!
It's our money.....
OWL
June 7, 2007
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