Ramblings of Silver Blue

Did I really need to do the math to know I’m still being screwed, even with the downturn in the housing market? Housing tax in Hampton has been lowered from $1.14 per $100 in assessed value to $1.08 per $100. Which means, of course, that my taxes will be going up $90 next year. The [...]

At first I thought this was funny…then I realized the awful truth of it. Be sure to read all the way to the end! Tax his land, Tax his bed, Tax the table At which he’s fed. Tax his tractor, Tax his mule, Teach him taxes Are the rule.

I haven’t received my assessment yet on my house that I have owned, basically, since 1997. From 2000 to 2006, however, your assessment of my property has caused my taxes to jump 60%. My pay, in that same period of time, has increased 11%. With energy (electricity, natural gas) costs higher than ever before as [...]

The city of Hampton needs to get its act together — there’s the fledgling Power Plant Plaza which, except for Bass Pro Shops, could be considered run of the mill (Texas Steak House, Lone Star Steak House, Lowe’s, Cracker Barrel, Joe’s Crab Shack, Cold Stone Creamery (yawn, yawn, yawn)). Hampton’s also trying to beef up [...]

I’ve said lots about this mess of assessments and bunk with the city’s tax base. An interesting article from the local Daily Press is included in the extended section. Here’s a pertinent point: Her problem is one shared by many people living on a fixed income and trying to cope with property tax increases. Vittorini [...]

TAXES (don’t miss the ending) Accounts Receivable Tax Building Permit Tax Capital Gains Tax CDL license Tax Cigarette Tax Corporate Income Tax Court Fines (indirect taxes) Dog License Tax Federal Income Tax Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA) Fishing License Tax Food License Tax Fuel permit tax Gasoline Tax (42 cents per gallon) Hunting License Tax Inheritance [...]

Kay W. City: Virginia Beacg Posted: 10:00 AM Apr. 8 Do not raise taxes. Whenever our personal business has less income, we cut our salary. The state should do the same. Every service and every person’s salary can be reduced. We personally cannot afford to give the state more money at this time. Open Letter [...]

Rush-hour tunnel tolls proposed to ease crunch By TOM HOLDEN, The Virginian-Pilot © November 20, 2003 Among the region’s bottlenecks, few compare to the Downtown Tunnel. It handles tens of thousands more vehicles each day than it was designed to carry, and there’s no relief in sight. Or is there? A local transportation official on [...]

CNN reports on a Seattle movement to tax espresso (but not regular coffee). Hat tip to Hit and Run for posting this My comment is this: what’s next? A satin tax for anyone wanting something other than plain cotton undergarments? The proceeds can go to fund nursing homes with Depends for the elderly. Or maybe [...]

….before you tax. As I’ve ranted about numerous times in my blog, there are those in Hampton Roads and in Virginia (as well as other states) that think revenue shortfalls should be regained by increasing the gasoline tax. The monies would then, possibly, go into new road construction. It’s flawed thinking, and here’s why: (1) [...]

GOP lawmaker proposes gas tax increase (Pilot Online/HamptonRoads.com) Before you go about this bullcrap of proposing tax rate increases, how about some common sense? FIRE the inept people who are busy working on the roads now. I’m all for diversity, but give the contracts to THOSE WHO WILL DO THE JOB RIGHT. I don’t give [...]

Road plan won’t fly, VDOT says As I had formerly blogged, having an increase in the gas tax along with tolls would be unacceptable (as well as STUPID considering how important tourism is to this area). State officials agree.

One thing I noticed as we took 168 down to the Outer Banks: the $2.00 toll per vehicle. Now, assuming that during the tourist season, from May-October, some 5,000 cars per day that 168. That’s a reasonable amount (and probably quite low). That’s $10,000 per day. That’s not counting those with speedpasses who live down [...]

….are the leaders in Hampton Roads that much of dimwits that they need to be shipped north to be with the Assemblyman from New York? The majority of the Hampton Roads Metropolitan area voted down an increase in the sales tax to fund road projects. Now, the leaders have said “well, we’re going to do [...]

I was cruising through CNN this morning and found another example of IDIOTS GONE WILD. Seems that we don’t have enough taxes in our life, so according to this article we should all rest easier knowing that Assemblyman Ortiz is looking out for us and taxing us for things he feels makes us fat. I’d [...]