Easton, PA Update: Freeman Loves Him Some Taxes

The problem with the government in general is that once the government gets their grubby little paws on the people's money via a tax, they will almost never rescind the tax. You can thank the Spanish American War, for example, for a telecommunication tax that is still being enforced today. Enter, this little gem found in The Express Times:

State Rep. Robert Freeman will introduce legislation today that would offer financial assistance to municipalities hampered by a high percentage of nonprofit organizations exempt from paying property taxes.

Freeman, D-Northampton, plans to tap into the 18 percent liquor tax enacted in 1936 to assist victims of the Johnstown flood. The tax's mission has long been fulfilled and now generates about $240 million annually for the state's general fund, he said.

First of all, the phrase "hampered by a high percentage of nonprofit organizations exempt from paying taxes," is classic. What nonprofit organizations are hampering that section of Northampton County? Churches, Hospitals, Cemeteries, the Northampton County Courthouse, and Lafayette College, from which I graduated. Somehow, Freeman thinks that having such things are churches, hospitals, and a top flight school is a negative for the Easton area. The reason behind this backassward logic is that the government does not get enough money to provide services such for the community (churches), health (hospitals), and education (college). What is wrong with this guy?

It's also important to note that the tax funds are coming from legislation that was specific to recovery for the Johnstown flood. That mission is obviously over. Far be it for the government to end that ridiculous tax. No, it's been continued, and will continue indefinitely, as Freeman and a whole slew of tax loving elected officials are going to fund it into areas that have communities that self sufficient so that the citizens there figure out that, that hey, this tax should have been repealed a long, long time ago, and that we are getting along just fine with the current government levels, which are too big as it is. So next time you're in the Valley having a drink, think of a 1934 tax that is now being used to hijack Pennsylvanians money that is being used in order to fight the evils of nonprofit organizations.

-Caomhin