Push polling by LEA, and a Republican Resolution

I, along with a number of others in the county, have received a shameless push poll from the Loudoun Education Association. This organization is out of touch with the desires of most of Loudoun's homeowners, it's almost laughable...except that it's true.

When economies tighten, homeowners have to prioritize and be willing to cut back on things they don't need, or can do without. Evidently, this Board and the LEA don't think that the logic applies to them.

I'm all for fully funding our children's educations, but the cutting to a mere 5% tier instead of the 10% or the 15% tier is sheer stupidity, given our already high tax situation in Loudoun. The schools said they labored long and hard to cut $11 MIL from the school budget.
$11 MIL is 1.5% of the over all school budget. Try $80MIL, people. That's where you cut into this problem, because it compounds. If you think this year is bad---wait till next year and the one after.
This is THE year to cut this budget to the bone, because the majority of the voters and population of Loudoun are behind Supervisors to do exactly that. If it doesn't get done THIS year, it doesn't get done. The current environment is the only one that provides the absolute political will and cover for such cuts.

For comparison purposes, here are a number of other tax rates , as they apply to $100 of property value for 2008.

Alexandria, Va (Fairfax) 84.5 per $100
Arlington (Fairfax) 84.8
Fairfax City 79.0
Fairfax County 92.0
Falls Chuch City 1.03
Prince William County 97.0
Fauquier 76.5

Now, for the real fun. In the Republik of Merryland...
Where the liberals really believe they're owed a living by everybody else....
rates in effect on July 1, 2008

Frederick County (Maryland) 93.6 per $100
Baltimore County 1.10
Carroll County 1.04
Montgomery County 66.1 (Contains additional miscellaneous, fire, and/or special taxing areas
Prince George's County 96.0 (Contains additional miscellaneous, fire, and/or special taxing areas

Anyone can see that we're overtaxed. Everyone should see that with a 74% portion of this going to the schools, they need to be cut back and waste should be absolutely cut to the bone.

For more information to be prepared, as well as write your Supervisor...
peruse your Loudoun Tax Info and don't delay. They've already pulled a straw poll, and we lost.
They were willing to settle at $1.24 per $100 of your assessment. There is still time to change that. But only a flurry of e-mails and letters and phone calls will allow them to know that the 100 or so people who the School Board and the LEA pushed in front of them do not speak for you.

The Loudoun County Republican Committee recently passed a resolution in support of your tax relief. It reads:

Resolution in Support of Fiscal Responsibility for Loudoun County Government and Towns

Whereas, The American people are hurting and so many Loudoun County families have felt the devastating impact of a declining economy; and

Whereas, the residents of Loudoun County and the Towns know we cannot tax and spend our way back to a growing and prosperous economy; and

Whereas, history has shown that raising taxes during times of economic uncertainty is counterproductive; and

Whereas, the act of raising taxes in the midst of a recession is simply a misappropriated prescription for further economic decline as well as an untimely burden on the families of Loudoun County; and

Whereas, there presently exists a disproportionate distribution in the allocation of tax revenue amongst the various county agencies that, if left as is, could negatively affect the overall quality of life for all citizens of Loudoun County; now therefore be it

Resolved, that the Loudoun County Republican Committee suggest that the current county and town budget negotiations, although painful, presents our elected county and town officials with an opportunity to correct the disproportionate distribution of funding among the various agencies that make up Loudoun County government and towns; and be it further

Resolved, that the Loudoun County Republican Committee direct its members and all citizens believing in fiscal prudence and responsibility to urge this Board of Supervisors and Town Councils to produce a fair, equitable and reasonable budget that does not balance that budget on the backs of middle-class families, small businesses, or our neediest citizens including our senior citizens who have contributed so much to our society; and be it further

Resolved, that the Loudoun County Republican Committee strongly suggest that the Board of Supervisors and Town Councils not only hold the line on tax increases, but also cut spending as is required in the face of a budget deficit greater than $200 million; and be it further

Resolved, that the Loudoun County Republican Committee strongly suggest that the needed reductions in spending be fair and proportionate and that no one agency of the Loudoun County or Town governments be exempt from providing equitable reductions in spending.

Resolved, that the Chairman be directed to distribute this resolution to members of the local media and all members of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and towns of Leesburg, Hamilton, Purcellville, Lovettsville, Middleburg, Hillsboro, and Round Hill.

It was entered into the record o March 31, 2009