Double paying on PAYGO and doubling up on pork the County Commission's 5 Democrats worked in lockstep to raise taxes two cents and add programs from those that where their friends and supporters.

 

The tax rate was 81.89 cents and is now 83.87 cents, a 2 cent increase that equates to about 2.4 percent.

 

The budget has some big winners including $25 million for CMS.

 

The budget has some big losers including Mecklenburg County taxpayers who will have to pay another tax increase to re-establish the PAYGO fund the Democrats raised taxes for in 2005, and raided in 2006. Had they not raided the fund in 2006 the budget would not have a tax increase today. On May 30th 2006 Commissioner Dumont Clarke and the other Democrats voted to remove $18 million from PAYGO. Now, to replinish that fund, a tax increase was voted in.

 

In the Clinton White House days folks used to joke about the lavish treatment a 'friend of Bill' received with guest stays in the Lincoln bedroom and such. If you contributed to Clinton's campaign, you got special treatment.

 

This County budget is essentially 'friend of Democrat' budget.

 

The pork was ladled hot and heavy as one program after the other received 100% increases (new programs) and others who 'only' received 60% increases.

 

The strangest of the new budget items  was the funding of $50,000 in new money for "Aerobo-Cop". See copy of DVD from his WTVI show from the 90's. For those new to Charotte he is the buff guy in blue spandex who teaches kids to get exercise.