Protecting the Tax Payer
During this time of economic instability, many families are worried about the possibility of increased tax rates. A growing number of residents have lost equity in their homes or have had employment issues. They do not want to foot the bill for the mistakes made by our city council.
The Facts:
- The city council’s irresponsible decisions have wasted tax dollars without benefitting the public. The iProvo fiasco alone lost over $8 million. (See: Reason Foundation)
- Taxes are often raised in order to compensate for wasteful projects. In June of 2007, the council voted to add $1.2 million of sales tax revenues to the city’s budget in order to compensate for the iProvo debt. (See: Daily Herald)
- Utahans are already facing the possibility of a $100 million increase in statewide taxes (See: Deseret News)
The Sterling Solution
My position on taxes is simple: I will never support a tax increase unless the people call for one through their votes. By cutting waste and staying away from irresponsible ventures, we can save millions of dollars and balance the budget.
It’s time to focus on the services that truly strengthen our community: parks, schools, police officers, and firemen. Let’s use our money to help our neighborhoods rather than waste it competing with private businesses.
I know that Provo’s citizens work hard for their money. I will always work to protect their tax dollars.
