“Shoot low boys-they’re riding Shetland ponies.”  This satirical retort authored by now-deceased columnist Lewis Grizzard, seems to be good advice as we prepared for a series of political “cat-fights,” the likes of which we’ve never seen!  The end result will be a budget crisis at all levels of government that trickles down from federal to state levels, eventually saddling local citizens with the brunt of the tax consequences.  Seeking solutions at state and federal level will prove mostly fruitless.  Tax payers must lower their sights and focus on local solutions. 

Now is the time to see if our elected officials in Baton Rouge and St. Tammany Parish are prepared to step up the pace and lead, or will they collectively sulk about in denial, displaying zero political courage while our local communities circle the drain. 

The preliminary bouts have begun with opening volleys fired.  State legislatures have already come to blows on leadership and committee assignments to determine who will steer us through this impending budget storm.  The legislative slate will include a bevy of tax related bills that eventually will be “playing at a theater near you.”  This is a movie you can’t afford to miss!  At present it reminds me of a Disney movie where all the animals are talking to one another.  Comedy is surely not pretty. 

“Trickle down taxes” will be the end result of the fracas, surely to ensue, as dwindling revenue and protected funds and mandated appropriations force troublesome budget decisions.  Raiding “fenced funds” such as the “Rainy Day Fund” will only postpone the inevitable choices.  This movie cannot afford an intermission.  Tough times require tough decisions and tough leaders. 

Regardless of outcome, citizens at the local level should prepare for an onslaught of pressure from every tier of government to raise taxes.  As the “cat-fights” continue, let’s fight to make sure the tax payers don’t wind up in the litter box or up a tree. 

The “trickle down” tax effect will, sooner than later, impact the local level.  State coffers will be bled dry with little or no funds to support traditional non-government organizations as well as local government financial support we have come to rely upon.  Matching funds and supplemental appropriations will most likely be impacted.  This reduced state support, coupled with declining local tax revenues and increasing costs, will trigger another round of railing by local officials with a solution we’ve heard so often times before… raise taxes. 

It seems that every bureaucrat believes that raising taxes is the answer to the problem.  This plot is a re-run of an old movie we’ve seen before.  Using the well being and safety of our children and the reduction of essential services as rallying cries will not work this time around. 

The solution may be found in a true and objective reassessment of our total tax base and local system.  There will still be the regular hue and cry about tax rates, bonded indebtedness, fund balances and the need for public sacrifice, but for the first time there is hope that local governments will finally address fixing what is wrong…our broken tax structure. 

The dilemma faced is, while new sources of revenue such as enhanced impact fees, parcel fees and “hidden taxes” through increased usage fees may temporarily be helpful in balance, these are only short-term solutions.  Fee increases have a negative impact on businesses and individuals alike.  Fees have the same result as taxes, regardless of how they are defined. 

There are no long-term solutions until a new tax structure is created to better balance need with equity.  A revision of the present system must include a broader property tax base and a careful implementation of economies and efficiencies in local government through consolidation and elimination of duplicative services.  In previous articles, I’ve discussed numerous recommendations to streamline the public sector.  Consolidation of school and public library systems, shared accounting, finance and payroll functions, the use of consolidated transportation pools and fire departments are just a few of these recommendations.  Increased outsourcing of common functions is another option.  What is urgently needed is an independent review of governmental roles, missions and functions within the Parish and a comprehensive restructuring plan presented to the voters. 

The impending budget crisis can be used as the genesis for very positive solutions to our tax problems.  Let’s not get ourselves embroiled in “cat-fights” if we can help it.  We, the tax payers, need relief from the ever growing need to “feed the beast” we call government.  It all reminds me of comedian Jerry Clower’s anecdote about a famous coon hunt entitled “Knock Us Out, John.”  It’s about John Eubanks, a “professional tree climber,” Marcel Ledbetter, Jerry’s best friend, and of course Jerry.  Seems they went hunting. 

As the story goes, John was up one of the biggest trees in the Amite River Swamp.  The object of John’s climb is what is presumed to be a coon nestled among the giant sweet gum’s top most branches.  As he nears his prey, Eubanks is repeatedly admonished to “knock “em out, John!”  Upon his arrival in the upper branches of the tree, however, the unfortunate John encounters not a coon but a lynx.  The cat proceeds to attack him, resulting in a cacophony of screams from John, screeches from the lynx, and continued encouragement from the ground in the form of, “knock ‘em out, John.”  John’s plight is finally understood by his colleagues, and he begs them to, “shoot this thing!”  They reply that they are afraid to, lest they should hit John.  In response, a desperate John can only plead, “Just shoot up here amongst us, one of us has got to have some relief!”  I, along with most other tax payers, can identify with John.  We have got to get some tax relief!