Here We Go Again!

I’m at a loss for words. After being subjected to numerous tax increases, tax initiatives and the passage of the “Forever Tax” the liberals in Johnson County are at it again. This week Johnson County Commissioners say they want to move forward with the largest capital improvement project in county history.

The County Commissioners (6 Republicans/1 Democrat) agreed to take the first major step toward building a new courthouse in downtown Olathe. The project could cost in excess of $300 million. “I am really concerned about the safety of the public” and the accessibility of the courthouse,” said Commission Chairwoman Annabeth Surbaugh (R).

The plan calls for the courthouse to be completed by the end of 2014 and open the following year. County planners acknowledge the bleak economic landscape but say now may be the best time to make such a major investment. Commissioner Ed Eilert (R) said his number crunching showed that bonding a new courthouse would require all or more of the annual revenue generated by a quarter-cent sales tax, about $19 million. Another option, he said, could be a 15 to 17 percent increase in the property tax, on top of the public safety tax voters backed last year.

We all understand when courthouses and other public buildings are too cramped for staff to operate, but you could go to a million courthouses in America that are the same way. There are also a million businesses that would like to expand, but they do so only when revenues allow.

The question is about money and whether we have it or not. And right now we don’t. Our indebtedness is growing out of hand in this country and yet still our elected officials push us and push us into debt, taxes, and government spending. Enough is enough!