Tax Increases Proposed by Mayor Ballard in 2008

If anyone wonders why I and other Republicans are disgusted with Mayor Greg Ballard's performance in office, one need only look at the tax increases he pushed in 2009.

• 1% increase in Marion County hotel tax (Passed) (Note the tax increase resulted in Indianapolis having the highest combined hotel/sales tax in the country)
• 2% increase in Marion County car rental tax (Passed)
• 4% increase in ticket taxes on all events at facilities the Capital Improvement Board operates, including Lucas Oil Stadium and Conseco Fieldhouse (Passed)
• 1/2% increase in local Food & Beverage Tax (Rejected by legislature)
• 100% increase in Alcohol Tax (Rejected by legislature

Business taxes currently pending before the Indianapolis City-County Council.

• Taxicabs: $100 to $471.
• Taxicab drivers: $20 to $283.
• Sidewalk cafes: $169 to $591
• Pet shops and kennels: $25 to $559
• Trash haulers: $20 to $479
• Hotels: $20 to $603
• Pay telephones: $52 to $114
• Transient merchants: $20 to $213
• Massage parlors: $250 to $559
• Massage therapists, escorts and nude models: $25 to $92
• Installation of new water heater in home or business: $25 to $153 (if venting or fuel type is changed)
• Scrap dealers: $200 to $823
• Vendor cart renewals: $100 to $273
• Block parties or other special events with a street closing: $25 to $113-$683 (higher fee for events with multiple street closures, food, entertainment and security.)
• Horse-drawn carriages: $20 to $77
• General construction inspections: $40-$50 to $107
• Zoning variance to change permitted use of homes: $200 to $579
• Zoning variance of use for a business: $900 to $1,999
• Pay parking garages: $20 to $475.

Believe it or not, that's only a partial list for 2009. But, hey, I doubt the Democrats noticed, right?