Off the Editor’s Desk 12-25-24
On top of Christmas bills, its tax time!
It’s the end of December and with that are the bills to pay for the Christmas gifts that you purchased and by now you also have received your property tax statements. Did that tax statement shock you?
On top of those taxes, Congress is trying to pass a year-end spending bill that will drive up our government debt, spending millions of dollars we don’t have. In an oped, “The Capitol Guardian” noted the following about the spending bill.
“President Donald Trump is weighing in on Congress’ latest spending bill, making continuing appropriations through September 30, 2025, a bill that came in at a whopping more than 1,500 pages all but declaring war on Congressional Republicans, who Trump threatened with party primaries in 2026 if they pass the current bill.
“The bill would make it easier to hide the records of the corrupt January 6 committee—which accomplished nothing for the American people and hid security failures that happened that day. This bill would also give Congress a pay increase while many Americans are struggling this Christmas. Instead, Trump and J. D. Vance are pushing for a temporary spending bill so that the matter can be fully addressed next year plus an extension of the debt ceiling, writing, ‘Republicans want to support farmers, pay for disaster relief, and set our country up for success in 2025. The only way to do that is with a temporary funding bill without Democrat Giveaways combined with an increase in the debt ceiling.”
The proposed bill will raise the pay for Congressional members from $174,000 to $180,600. The bill would also allow Congressional members to opt out of Obamacare and made provisions shielding House data from subpoenas, so that any type of communications created by members of Congress would be free from inspection by law enforcement. Thus making members of Congress above the law.
As for local property taxes, I know that some people were set back with the new statement that they received. It’s hard for local government units to keep up with the cost of doing business with the limits placed on them by the state. But, I like the control and if a unit of government thinks they need more money, they can go and ask the voters for permission to raise the tax rate above the state imposed limit.
But, locally, the bulk of the tax load is placed on taxpayer’s home and I could say that I need to keep working just to pay my property taxes. These taxes are especially hard on elderly folks who live on a fixed income. So, keep on working.
Thanks for reading! ~Carlton