Robin SmithLast Wednesday, the Hamilton County Commission was approached by the nonprofit organization ArtsBuild which was seeking approval for the next step in raising cigarette taxes by 20 cents per pack to fund its arts offerings. By all accounts, the presentation made by group's chairman was very thoughtful, based on public and private comments by commissioners whose supportive votes will send the proposal to the state to trigger an August 2016 referendum.
Generating $3 to $4 million each year, the proposed increased tax would, according to news accounts, fund "programs ranging from arts festivals and choir performances to storytelling, poetry and dance throughout the community."
Just a request to our local government leaders: Please tell taxpayers how you continue to justify the use of their hard-earned money taken in the form of taxes to fund essential county services to, instead, fund nonprofit organizations.
What we're witnessing in Hamilton County is an excessive number of nonprofits that have historically been funded by the very generous foundations and philanthropy of Chattanoogans lining up to create new public relations campaigns to access government money. And, what exactly is government money?
Government money results from taxpayers sending portions of their earned wages to fund essential municipal services - things like school buildings, paving projects, law enforcement and other services.
I have a suggestion to all the nonprofits that do great works but seem to have a common problem in feeling the pinch of tight budgets like every single family trying to pay their bills and save a little for a rainy day - Cut your budgets or re-examine your own internal priorities.
What is the response in the private sector with the fierce competition for market share and the consumer dollar? Whether it's banks, retail outlets like Walgreens and Rite-Aid or other businesses, we're seeing cutbacks and consolidation in response to demand.
How many folks in Hamilton County use the ArtsBuild (or insert name of whatever nonprofit likely will be next to seek a tax increase to subsidize their insufficient fundraising efforts) programs versus a school building, a road or benefit from public safety? How many taxpayers would prioritize your programs over these essential services that have to be funded within an annual government budget?
Folks, government does not exist and should not exist to do more than provide the indispensable services that a community requires to function. On a federal level, we've seen our government permitted to do and encourage behavior that is simply wrong, destructive and outside the bounds of its role.
Could an individual run up unsurmountable debt then ask for their credit limit to be extended even more? Could an abled-bodied individual walk into a neighbor's home and hand over their cellphone bill, their internet service bill, their health care bill and say, "Here, pay these and oh, by the way, you need to leave me some grocery money, too?" That's what our excessive federal government is doing.
Hamilton County taxpayers, let your voices be heard. Do you want to begin funding nonprofits instead of essential services with your tax dollars? What is the role of your county government and do your leaders operate within that role?
Robin Smith, a former chairwoman of the Tennessee Republican Party, is owner of Rivers Edge Alliance.