son of life Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The bottom line here...... Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > .........Is that the meal tax is a great idea
> and
> > anyone who thinks otherwise is a ignorant fuck.
>
>
> That's for sure.


^ Pitiful shills. lol

Vienna Resident Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The meals tax in Vienna is a huge success!
>
> When it first took effect it did have a negative
> effect on the food service industry here in town.
> After 3 months business actually increased
> overall. The tax may have actually caused a few
> restaurants to close but they were soon replaced
> with better and more profitable ones. In the end
> there are no negatives and passing the meals tax
> was on of the best things we ever did. The city of
> Manassas and town of Warrenton had similar success
> with their meals tax.
> Fairfax has always had a big population of right
> wingers who oppose any new tax but now that people
> who think that way are dying off maybe it will
> pass this time.


You are right, just a trip through town on 123 proves that. Some of the best food places in the area are thriving in Vienna and Manassas too for that matter. I was opposed to the tax at first but my wife and I are both planning to vote for the meals tax now.

yep - that makes sense "Noodles & Co.", "Anita's", the "Vienna Inn" and "Outback" - some of the "best" restaurants and "thriving" - lol

You and your wife need a lobotomy in addition to a class on reasoning. The meals tax made it all happen in Vienna. Now if we could only institute a mattress tax!

On 1991 George Bush doubled the beer tax and kicked off the era of craft brews.

Same idiot responding to himself. lol

There is no way property taxes will go down. The idea of tax relief is fiction. If there is any wiggle room, it is how much property taxes will go up.

So, do not vote for the meals tax if you think it will bring you relief. It will not.

Remember the car tax that was going to go away? Try not to believe everything your government tells you.

While we're comparing our tax rate to other jurisdictions as a way to justify raising our taxes, let's also find out how those constituencies feel about those high taxes now that they're in place and will never be removed. I'd like a poll of people in NJ or CA re: how this is working out for them. When I travel to cities in either state, the citizens seem resigned to their high taxes and I don't think they have services or schools that wildly exceed our own. So, let's get our house in order and improve or money management before we pile on more taxes.

Here is what will be taxed:
All restaurant meals and beverages
All ready to eat prepared foods sold in the county, by anybody, to anybody.
Sandwiches in convenience stores.
Grocery store roasted chickens.
Deli sandwiches.
Carry out food
Grocery store potato salad, pasta salad,deli items, anything ready to eat.
Food truck food.
Fast food, fast casual, formal dining, informal dining.
Salad and hot food bar.
Concessions at sporting events and movie theatres.
Catered meals.
Home delivery of all food and beverages, including pizza.

Vote NO on the meals tax November 8th!

Bars and other hotspots Did away with Smoking inside. See what that leaves you to visit. Nicks is about the only place I am aware of that is not a Sports Bar.. Skinifatz is gone, Red Moon, Blackies, DeJaVu. Granted I could go to Arlington or Alexandria but with traffic so shitty around here, I dont want to deal with Driving or Parking down there. Meals tax will penny pinch the tax payer, but the SPENDING by the schools needs to stop or have Oversight by the BOS. on the other hand for each penny the schools get from the meals tax the county reduces from the school monies..... Sounded good but we know it wont happen. Maybe the hot lane approach, have a private company tax you so you cant claim it as a tax..

How about we trade a meals tax for approval of charter schools in Fairfax County? The extra money that some say is needed is raised and the charter schools show how to spend it more efficiently - win / win...

xo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here is what will be taxed:
> All restaurant meals and beverages
> All ready to eat prepared foods sold in the
> county, by anybody, to anybody.
> Sandwiches in convenience stores.
> Grocery store roasted chickens.
> Deli sandwiches.
> Carry out food
> Grocery store potato salad, pasta salad,deli
> items, anything ready to eat.
> Food truck food.
> Fast food, fast casual, formal dining, informal
> dining.
> Salad and hot food bar.
> Concessions at sporting events and movie
> theatres.
> Catered meals.
> Home delivery of all food and beverages, including
> pizza.
>
> Vote YES on the meals tax November 8th!

Fairfax County Government revenues are the highest in history. The Government needs to learn how to spend its money wisely, not seek more revenues.

Fairfax County resident taxes are the highest in history. The populace is overtaxed.

The Meals Tax is a regressive tax, meaning that it will place a heavy burden on those people who can least afford it.

Rejection of a Meals Tax in a referendum may cause County Government officials to shy away from proposing other taxes in the future.

Having a referendum will pit the restaurant industry against the people, an outcome that won’t help either.

While County taxes increased between 2000 and 2011, poverty within the County increased by 70%.

A Meals Tax would send a message that Fairfax County is unfriendly to the restaurant business (including high-end restaurants in Tysons Corner), unlike Loudoun and Prince William Counties which have no such tax.

A Meals Tax will cause restaurant patrons to provide smaller tips to waiters and waitresses, thereby harming people, including minorities, in starter jobs.

A Meals Tax will target a single industry (restaurants) characterized by a high percentage of start-up small businesses, low profit margins, and high rates of failure (93% of restaurants don’t last five years).

A Meals Tax, including the administrative costs of implementing the tax, will compound stresses on the restaurant industry in the near future, including higher healthcare expenses and a higher minimum wage, all of which will make it difficult for the industry to prosper in Fairfax County.

A Meals Tax will raise restaurant prices, which will dissuade people from eating out as frequently as they did in the past.

Revenues from a Meals Tax will fund only $88 million of a $200 million Government budget shortfall, which means it will provide no real estate tax relief to homeowners and businesses.

Revenues from a Meals Tax are not needed for schools, as 75% of school spending is for school personnel compensation which has grown at a 4+% rate over the past few years.

The Fairfax County economic recovery from a recession is too meek and fragile to handle a tax increase.

A Meals Tax will take discretionary money (~$900 million over 10 years) out of the private sector, including small businesses, that would support economic growth more than the County Government spending it.

A Meals Tax will raise unemployment in the County, as the tax will cause lay-offs (as it has in Arlington county) in the restaurant industry that accounts for a significant percentage of County employment.

Imposition of a Meals Tax before the World Police & Fire Games in 2015 would be a publicity debacle, as the County could be accused of raising taxes and costs after the Games selected Fairfax County as the venue.

No food Tax 2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> While County taxes increased between 2000 and
> 2011, poverty within the County increased by 70%.
>
> A Meals Tax would send a message that Fairfax
> County is unfriendly to the restaurant business
> (including high-end restaurants in Tysons Corner),
> unlike Loudoun and Prince William Counties which
> have no such tax.
>
> A Meals Tax will cause restaurant patrons to
> provide smaller tips to waiters and waitresses,
> thereby harming people, including minorities, in
> starter jobs.
>
> A Meals Tax will target a single industry
> (restaurants) characterized by a high percentage
> of start-up small businesses, low profit margins,
> and high rates of failure (93% of restaurants
> don’t last five years).
>
> A Meals Tax, including the administrative costs of
> implementing the tax, will compound stresses on
> the restaurant industry in the near future,
> including higher healthcare expenses and a higher
> minimum wage, all of which will make it difficult
> for the industry to prosper in Fairfax County.
>
> A Meals Tax will raise restaurant prices, which
> will dissuade people from eating out as frequently
> as they did in the past.
>
> Revenues from a Meals Tax will fund only $88
> million of a $200 million Government budget
> shortfall, which means it will provide no real
> estate tax relief to homeowners and businesses.
>
> Revenues from a Meals Tax are not needed for
> schools, as 75% of school spending is for school
> personnel compensation which has grown at a 4+%
> rate over the past few years.
>
> The Fairfax County economic recovery from a
> recession is too meek and fragile to handle a tax
> increase.
>
> A Meals Tax will take discretionary money (~$900
> million over 10 years) out of the private sector,
> including small businesses, that would support
> economic growth more than the County Government
> spending it.
>
> A Meals Tax will raise unemployment in the County,
> as the tax will cause lay-offs (as it has in
> Arlington county) in the restaurant industry that
> accounts for a significant percentage of County
> employment.
>
> Imposition of a Meals Tax before the World Police
> & Fire Games in 2015 would be a publicity debacle,
> as the County could be accused of raising taxes
> and costs after the Games selected Fairfax County
> as the venue.

The reference to the World Police and Fire Games dates this, but it is still excellent. The proposed meals tax will not erase the County/schools budget shortfall, it will not provide property (or any other form) of tax relief, and it targets restaurants, the elderly, and the disabled (they are on fixed incomes, and the meals tax would increase their costs; the County could exempt them from this tax, as they are exempted from property tax, but this is not part of the plan).

Support for the tax by Fairfax County restaurants seems spotty at best. The truth of the matter is that most of the support comes from the schools, proxy organizations for the schools, and County employees. With respect to the schools, the unfortunate and inconvenient truth is that they spend (waste?) too much money, and a great deal of the money spent cannot be tied to any measurable improvement in the quality of education.

No food Tax 2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> While County taxes increased between 2000 and
> 2011, poverty within the County increased by 70%.
>
> A Meals Tax would send a message that Fairfax
> County is unfriendly to the restaurant business
> (including high-end restaurants in Tysons Corner),
> unlike Loudoun and Prince William Counties which
> have no such tax.
>
> A Meals Tax will cause restaurant patrons to
> provide smaller tips to waiters and waitresses,
> thereby harming people, including minorities, in
> starter jobs.
>
> A Meals Tax will target a single industry
> (restaurants) characterized by a high percentage
> of start-up small businesses, low profit margins,
> and high rates of failure (93% of restaurants
> don’t last five years).
>
> A Meals Tax, including the administrative costs of
> implementing the tax, will compound stresses on
> the restaurant industry in the near future,
> including higher healthcare expenses and a higher
> minimum wage, all of which will make it difficult
> for the industry to prosper in Fairfax County.
>
> A Meals Tax will raise restaurant prices, which
> will dissuade people from eating out as frequently
> as they did in the past.
>
> Revenues from a Meals Tax will fund only $88
> million of a $200 million Government budget
> shortfall, which means it will provide no real
> estate tax relief to homeowners and businesses.
>
> Revenues from a Meals Tax are not needed for
> schools, as 75% of school spending is for school
> personnel compensation which has grown at a 4+%
> rate over the past few years.
>
> The Fairfax County economic recovery from a
> recession is too meek and fragile to handle a tax
> increase.
>
> A Meals Tax will take discretionary money (~$900
> million over 10 years) out of the private sector,
> including small businesses, that would support
> economic growth more than the County Government
> spending it.
>
> A Meals Tax will raise unemployment in the County,
> as the tax will cause lay-offs (as it has in
> Arlington county) in the restaurant industry that
> accounts for a significant percentage of County
> employment.
>
> Imposition of a Meals Tax before the World Police
> & Fire Games in 2015 would be a publicity debacle,
> as the County could be accused of raising taxes
> and costs after the Games selected Fairfax County
> as the venue.


Everything that you posted here is a lie. The meals tax has no downside.

Pure marketing BS. They are telling you what you want to hear so you don't think - I am paying enough in taxes.

Do you really think that visitors are going pay the food tax and you will get a lower property tax ?? FFC always plays the school (and library) funding card whenever they have a budget shortfall - this coming from one of the richest counties in the entire US with a tax base that would be enviable anywhere else. Notice all the new Fire Stations, seen the FFC wood and granite lined admin buildings. Let them try something novel - like actually making non-school cuts to their already huge budget.

I am voting no to more tax on my restaurant meal when I get home at 8 PM after sitting on the toll road for an extra hour because of horrific traffic on a Friday.

Trump is going to lower federal taxes which will offset this tax.

voting for the tax Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> No food Tax 2 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > While County taxes increased between 2000 and
> > 2011, poverty within the County increased by
> 70%.
> >
> > A Meals Tax would send a message that Fairfax
> > County is unfriendly to the restaurant business
> > (including high-end restaurants in Tysons
> Corner),
> > unlike Loudoun and Prince William Counties
> which
> > have no such tax.
> >
> > A Meals Tax will cause restaurant patrons to
> > provide smaller tips to waiters and waitresses,
> > thereby harming people, including minorities,
> in
> > starter jobs.
> >
> > A Meals Tax will target a single industry
> > (restaurants) characterized by a high
> percentage
> > of start-up small businesses, low profit
> margins,
> > and high rates of failure (93% of restaurants
> > don’t last five years).
> >
> > A Meals Tax, including the administrative costs
> of
> > implementing the tax, will compound stresses on
> > the restaurant industry in the near future,
> > including higher healthcare expenses and a
> higher
> > minimum wage, all of which will make it
> difficult
> > for the industry to prosper in Fairfax County.
> >
> > A Meals Tax will raise restaurant prices, which
> > will dissuade people from eating out as
> frequently
> > as they did in the past.
> >
> > Revenues from a Meals Tax will fund only $88
> > million of a $200 million Government budget
> > shortfall, which means it will provide no real
> > estate tax relief to homeowners and businesses.
> >
> > Revenues from a Meals Tax are not needed for
> > schools, as 75% of school spending is for
> school
> > personnel compensation which has grown at a 4+%
> > rate over the past few years.
> >
> > The Fairfax County economic recovery from a
> > recession is too meek and fragile to handle a
> tax
> > increase.
> >
> > A Meals Tax will take discretionary money
> (~$900
> > million over 10 years) out of the private
> sector,
> > including small businesses, that would support
> > economic growth more than the County Government
> > spending it.
> >
> > A Meals Tax will raise unemployment in the
> County,
> > as the tax will cause lay-offs (as it has in
> > Arlington county) in the restaurant industry
> that
> > accounts for a significant percentage of County
> > employment.
> >
> > Imposition of a Meals Tax before the World
> Police
> > & Fire Games in 2015 would be a publicity
> debacle,
> > as the County could be accused of raising taxes
> > and costs after the Games selected Fairfax
> County
> > as the venue.
>
>
> Everything that you posted here is a lie. The
> meals tax has no downside.

If there is no downside, why aren't Fairfax County restaurants, stores, food trucks etc. lining up to support it?

A good way to get those illegals to pay some taxes. They don't pay their fare share in property taxes when they have 20 people to an apartment and they don't pay car taxes since their cars are all registered in MD. They should make it 5%.

this is a great tax Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> A good way to get those illegals to pay some
> taxes. They don't pay their fare share in property
> taxes when they have 20 people to an apartment and
> they don't pay car taxes since their cars are all
> registered in MD. They should make it 5%.

Apartment house owners pay property tax on the apartment building and, should they choose to do so, pass that along to the tenants-so your comment about not paying "their faire share" is not true.

If they live and work in Fairfax they pay sales tax.

Also, the meals tax is NOT a great tax as it targets just one industry and it is also unfair to the elderly and disabled. In many cases, the elderly and disabled are exempt from property tax, but they would have to pay this tax. At present, there are no plans to exempt them, so it is not surprising that the elderly and disabled have mobilized against this tax.

Walter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Pure marketing BS. They are telling you what you
> want to hear so you don't think - I am paying
> enough in taxes.
>
> Do you really think that visitors are going pay
> the food tax and you will get a lower property tax
> ?? FFC always plays the school (and library)
> funding card whenever they have a budget shortfall
> - this coming from one of the richest counties in
> the entire US with a tax base that would be
> enviable anywhere else. Notice all the new Fire
> Stations, seen the FFC wood and granite lined
> admin buildings. Let them try something novel -
> like actually making non-school cuts to their
> already huge budget.
>
> I am voting no to more tax on my restaurant meal
> when I get home at 8 PM after sitting on the toll
> road for an extra hour because of horrific traffic
> on a Friday.


Exactly right. The proponent's main argument for this is like some sleazy time share pitch. "You'll SAVE money because somebody else will pay for it!"

Reality is that whatever the percentage is, you will pay more in taxes. You'll pay the 72% (being very generous) of the meals tax and you'll pay the 4% next time that they need to raise the property tax because nothing changes on the cost side. In fact, approving this makes it more likely that they will raise the property tax because costs will not be constrained.

what fools these mortals be Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> this is a great tax Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > A good way to get those illegals to pay some
> > taxes. They don't pay their fare share in
> property
> > taxes when they have 20 people to an apartment
> and
> > they don't pay car taxes since their cars are
> all
> > registered in MD. They should make it 5%.
>
> Apartment house owners pay property tax on the
> apartment building and, should they choose to do
> so, pass that along to the tenants-so your comment
> about not paying "their faire share" is not true.
>



Landlord A - Rents out SFH to family of three with 1 kid in school - Pays $5000 a year in property taxes

Landlord B - Rents out condo to illegals, two families live in the condo a total of 4 kids go to school - Pays $2000 a year in property taxes



The illegals will also need ESOL, free lunch, etc.

Yes for me

this is a great tax Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> what fools these mortals be Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > this is a great tax Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > A good way to get those illegals to pay some
> > > taxes. They don't pay their fare share in
> > property
> > > taxes when they have 20 people to an
> apartment
> > and
> > > they don't pay car taxes since their cars are
> > all
> > > registered in MD. They should make it 5%.
> >
> > Apartment house owners pay property tax on the
> > apartment building and, should they choose to
> do
> > so, pass that along to the tenants-so your
> comment
> > about not paying "their faire share" is not
> true.
> >
>
>
>
> Landlord A - Rents out SFH to family of three with
> 1 kid in school - Pays $5000 a year in property
> taxes
>
> Landlord B - Rents out condo to illegals, two
> families live in the condo a total of 4 kids go to
> school - Pays $2000 a year in property taxes
>
>
>
> The illegals will also need ESOL, free lunch, etc.


At one of the high schools they just hired a counselor solely for ESOL. Imagine if instead that staff position could have been applied to science or math or AP. This placed is doomed.

Gross Savings Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The meals tax means 4% on everyone who eats out in
> Fairfax, which will allow the county to lower my
> property tax, plus this covers the FCPS deficit.
> So I pay less and my kids benefit more. Sounds
> like one heck of a winning plan to me.
>
>
> "For the purpose of reducing dependence on real
> estate taxes, shall the Board of Supervisors of
> Fairfax County, Virginia, be authorized to levy a
> tax on prepared food and beverages, otherwise
> known as a meals tax, as allowed by Virginia Code
> § 58.1-3833, at a rate not to exceed four percent
> (4%) of the amount charged for prepared food and
> beverages (which, based upon state law, is
> applicable only to sales outside of the town of
> Clifton, and towns of Herndon and Vienna that have
> already implemented a meals tax)? The revenues
> generated shall be dedicated to the following
> purposes:
> 1: 70 percent of the net revenues to Fairfax
> County Public Schools.
> 2: 30 percent of the net revenues to County
> services, capital improvements and property tax
> relief."


Then I don't care because Vienna is exempt.

Hey Tapawingo Road - Vienna already pays 3% you arrogant twat. You're not exempt. You're paying three times the taxes you did 15 years ago for less services and worse schools. You're getting fucked by FFX BOS - but I guess it don't hurt if you don't even know it's happening... lol

No food Tax Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Fairfax County Government revenues are the highest
> in history. The Government needs to learn how to
> spend its money wisely, not seek more revenues.
>
> Fairfax County resident taxes are the highest
> in history. The populace is overtaxed.
>
> The Meals Tax is a regressive tax, meaning
> that it will place a heavy burden on those people
> who can least afford it.
>
> Rejection of a Meals Tax in a referendum may
> cause County Government officials to shy away from
> proposing other taxes in the future.
>
> Having a referendum will pit the restaurant
> industry against the people, an outcome that
> won’t help either.


Amen. No your property tax is not going down, never happening. The county will just increase the salaries and benefits to board members and staff.

There's never enough money in your pocket for a Democrat to pick. Funny how they love spending other peoples money.. So Get your meals tax and higher property taxes too..YOU SUCKERS that will Vote for this Con Game.

I only eat at cheap joints so it wont hurt me a bit. Most of the time I buy food at Grocery Stores and cook it on my cars engine.. Ever Tried a Can of Beanie Weenies off the old beat cars Exhaust Manifold??. Good Cheap Eats baby! You would be Surprised what the engine will cook! Quick! Too. They should have the locations to put the cans in the owners manuals and recipes too..

DAJAX

Let It Pass Let The Suckers Lear Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There's never enough money in your pocket for a
> Democrat to pick. Funny how they love spending
> other peoples money.. So Get your meals tax and
> higher property taxes too..YOU SUCKERS that will
> Vote for this Con Game.
>
> I only eat at cheap joints so it wont hurt me a
> bit. Most of the time I buy food at Grocery Stores
> and cook it on my *own

I only eat at places that are under $20 per person, unless it's a very special occasion. So this tax would not affect me much, I much prefer a meal tax over a property tax increase.

I know this won't lower property taxes, but my hopes is that it will slow down the increase.

For those that believe a increase in tax revenue will help, you can send a personal check to the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration at any time. They will accept the donation without question.

cheap bastard - $900k home Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Let It Pass Let The Suckers Lear Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > There's never enough money in your pocket for a
> > Democrat to pick. Funny how they love spending
> > other peoples money.. So Get your meals tax and
> > higher property taxes too..YOU SUCKERS that
> will
> > Vote for this Con Game.
> >
> > I only eat at cheap joints so it wont hurt me a
> > bit. Most of the time I buy food at Grocery
> Stores
> > and cook it on my *own
>
> I only eat at places that are under $20 per
> person, unless it's a very special occasion. So
> this tax would not affect me much, I much prefer a
> meal tax over a property tax increase.
>
> I know this won't lower property taxes, but my
> hopes is that it will slow down the increase.

The School Board does not view it this way and you sure as hell should not either. They will not even make a commitment to make teacher's salaries a priority spending item when given the additional funds from the meals tax.

The meals tax is a great way to enhance revenue and get non-county residents to pay most of it. The taxes we pay now provide us with a huge bargain, possibly the best value for our dollars in an entire lifetime. Vote YES on the meals tax!

http://www.yesmealstax.org/

So I am reading the pro-tax propaganda Fairfax County sent to all voters - ironically at tax payer expense.

I have a question - it states the purpose of the meals tax is to reduce the county's dependence on real estate taxes. States that 65% of budget comes from real estate taxes. But nowhere does the flyer indicate what the actual expected reduction in that number will be if the meals tax passes. Will it be 64%, 60%, 50%??? Inquiring minds want to know.

Also, the flyer states that the county budget continues to be impacted by "the economic downturn." Say what? I thought the last 7 years was a robust and growing economy. Now we have the democrat controlled FCBOS arguing we are in an "economic downturn????"

KmTnM Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So I am reading the pro-tax propaganda Fairfax
> County sent to all voters - ironically at tax
> payer expense.
>
> I have a question - it states the purpose of the
> meals tax is to reduce the county's dependence on
> real estate taxes. States that 65% of budget
> comes from real estate taxes. But nowhere does
> the flyer indicate what the actual expected
> reduction in that number will be if the meals tax
> passes. Will it be 64%, 60%, 50%??? Inquiring
> minds want to know.
>
> Also, the flyer states that the county budget
> continues to be impacted by "the economic
> downturn." Say what? I thought the last 7 years
> was a robust and growing economy. Now we have the
> democrat controlled FCBOS arguing we are in an
> "economic downturn????"


If you don't like the tax then don't vote for it you ignorant fuck.
Nobody gives a fuck about your shitty little opinion.

Happy resident Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The meals tax is a great way to enhance revenue
> and get non-county residents to pay most of it.
> The taxes we pay now provide us with a huge
> bargain, possibly the best value for our dollars
> in an entire lifetime.

You write at an elementary school age level.

Question: if only 28% of the meals tax is paid by non-county residents, how do you figure that non-county residents are "to pay most of it?" 72% > 28%.

What does it mean to say that taxes "provide us with a huge bargain?" Who is us? How is it a bargain? In what way is this bargain huge?

How are the taxes we are paying a "best value for our dollars?" What does this mean? And why is this value unique to this moment in time?

county employee Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> If you don't like the tax then don't vote for it
> you ignorant fuck.
> Nobody gives a fuck about your shitty little
> opinion.

It would appear that you do.

The meals tax has worked everywhere else, it will work here too,
Attachments:

meals tax Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The meals tax has worked everywhere else, it will
> work here too,

What do you mean by "it worked?"

VOTE NO ON THE MEALS TAX!!

Don't trust the Fairfax County School Board with more money! They will continue to spend on stupid programs to keep certain parent interest groups and school educrats happy. Let's not forget, the school board recently gave itself a 60% pay raise and then immediately claimed poverty. And the Fairfax Board of Supervisors is NOT lowering property taxes with a 4% meals tax. Property taxes will remain the same or go up and be used for other county programs!

VOTE NO ON THE MEALS TAX!! This is not about kids. It's about Fairfax County politicians wanting more money to hand out goodies to their friends.

7UXXd Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> meals tax Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The meals tax has worked everywhere else, it
> will
> > work here too,
>
> What do you mean by "it worked?"

Just because other places have a meals tax does not mean it is necessarily a good idea for Fairfax County. The United States has nuclear weapons, does that mean North Korea should have them too?

The real solution to the $100,000,000 shortfall is to cut wasteful spending. A good place to start would be to reduce the number of pyramids and put caps on how many assistant principals a school could have. Another obvious example is Karen Garza's compensation package-what has she done to justify it?

At $400,000/year, it would take a LOT of meals to pay Garza. Is she worth it?

VOTE NO ON THE MEALS TAX!!

Don't trust the Fairfax County School Board with more money! They will continue to spend on stupid programs to keep certain parent interest groups and school educrats happy. Let's not forget, the school board recently gave itself a 60% pay raise and then immediately claimed poverty. And the Fairfax Board of Supervisors is NOT lowering property taxes with a 4% meals tax. Property taxes will remain the same or go up and be used for other county programs!

VOTE NO ON THE MEALS TAX!! This is not about kids. It's about Fairfax County politicians wanting more money to hand out goodies to their friends.

Have the waitresses check IDs and tax non-residents 8%.

Happy resident Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The meals tax is a great way to enhance revenue
> and get non-county residents to pay most of it.
> The taxes we pay now provide us with a huge
> bargain, possibly the best value for our dollars
> in an entire lifetime. Vote YES on the meals tax!
>
> http://www.yesmealstax.org/


Poor effort at spinning the rhetoric. Your lies are far too transparent and can be plainly seen as pro tax bullshit!

KmTnM Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So I am reading the pro-tax propaganda Fairfax
> County sent to all voters - ironically at tax
> payer expense.
>
> I have a question - it states the purpose of the
> meals tax is to reduce the county's dependence on
> real estate taxes. States that 65% of budget
> comes from real estate taxes. But nowhere does
> the flyer indicate what the actual expected
> reduction in that number will be if the meals tax
> passes. Will it be 64%, 60%, 50%??? Inquiring
> minds want to know.
>
> Also, the flyer states that the county budget
> continues to be impacted by "the economic
> downturn." Say what? I thought the last 7 years
> was a robust and growing economy. Now we have the
> democrat controlled FCBOS arguing we are in an
> "economic downturn????"


For 2018 $100 million would represent approximately 2.4 percent of the County revenue. Judge for yourself if it would be worth it and whether it will have ANY impact on real estate taxes in the long run. Best bet is that it will delay additional real estate taxes for 2018 and in 2019 we will be back to the same old routine of double digit tax increase when rate increases are combined with higher assessments.

If approved by voters, the meals tax is estimated to generate approx $99 million in the first year w/28% coming from non-county residents.

Tax all meat and dairy products 7%

I have to vote NO on this tax for the following reasons:

1. Nothing the BOS or SB had done to date gives me any faith that the money will actually go to my schools. I think the money will simply be directed at more programs for ESOL and immigrant kids. That's their pattern and I don't see it changing as more ESOL and immigrant families come here for the schools.

2. I don't like that the meals tax includes prepared foods at the grocery store. I know too many elderly people who rely on the roasted chickens and the salad bar at Giant because it's easier than cooking for one person. This is a hit on the fixed income crowd.

3. I don't believe this will ever relieve property taxes. And honestly, with all of the tear-downs going on throughout the county - only to be replaced by big McMansions - that's more tax money in the pot right there.

Proponents can push this all they like but I think they'll say anything they think people want to hear in order to get a YES vote.

Gotta Go NO! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have to vote NO on this tax for the following
> reasons:
>
> 1. Nothing the BOS or SB had done to date gives
> me any faith that the money will actually go to my
> schools. I think the money will simply be
> directed at more programs for ESOL and immigrant
> kids. That's their pattern and I don't see it
> changing as more ESOL and immigrant families come
> here for the schools.
>

Okay, meal tax or not this won't stop.


> 2. I don't like that the meals tax includes
> prepared foods at the grocery store. I know too
> many elderly people who rely on the roasted
> chickens and the salad bar at Giant because it's
> easier than cooking for one person. This is a hit
> on the fixed income crowd.

If you rely on the salad bar at Giant you're dumb as shit. Giant is way way overpriced, I can have a salad and filet mignon bought from Aldi for the same price Giant charges at there salad bar.

>
> 3. I don't believe this will ever relieve
> property taxes. And honestly, with all of the
> tear-downs going on throughout the county - only
> to be replaced by big McMansions - that's more tax
> money in the pot right there.

Don't think it will relieve taxes, just slow it down for a few years.

There aren't really clear about what will be taxed other than "prepared food and beverages".

I am curious, is soda (or pop if you must) a prepared beverage? If it is, what are the raw ingredients I need to purchase to make my own? Is ground coffee prepared? Is roasted coffee beans prepared? Where is the line. How many people are going to need to sit on a board with a full time salary to make these important decisions?

Is bottle water prepared?

The following text was lifted from the County informational booklet. Also, one small piece of information is that vendors will be "paid" a commission of from 2 to 6 percent to administer the tax. This means that the proceeds will amount to somewhere between 90 and 94 million instead of the advertised 96 million.


A meals tax is a tax on all ready-to-eat prepared food and beverages and would apply at
restaurants, lunchrooms, cafeterias, coffee shops, cafes, taverns, delis, push cart operations, hot
dog stands and food trucks. It would include alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages served with
a meal. It would also apply to ready-to-eat foods (such as deli or salad/hot food bars) at grocery
and convenience stores.
The meals tax would not apply to groceries and vending machines. Additional exceptions under state law are found on the next page of this pamphlet.
• Cafeterias operated by industrial plants for employees only.
• Restaurants to their employees as part of their compensation when no charge is made to the
employee.
• Churches that serve meals for their members as a regular part of their religious observances.
• Public or private elementary or secondary schools, colleges, and universities to their students
or employees.
• Hospitals, medical clinics, convalescent homes, nursing homes, or other extended care
facilities to patients or residents.
• Day care centers.
• Homes for the aged, infirm, handicapped, battered women, narcotic addicts, or alcoholics.
• Age-restricted apartment complexes or residences with restaurants, not open to the public,
where meals are served and fees are charged for such food and beverages and are included in
rental fees.
• Nonprofits and organizations, such as volunteer fire companies, that serve meals as a
fundraising activity, the gross proceeds of which are to be used exclusively for nonprofit
educational, charitable, benevolent or religious purposes.

XDJG6 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There aren't really clear about what will be taxed
> other than "prepared food and beverages".
>
> I am curious, is soda (or pop if you must) a
> prepared beverage? If it is, what are the raw
> ingredients I need to purchase to make my own? Is
> ground coffee prepared? Is roasted coffee beans
> prepared? Where is the line. How many people are
> going to need to sit on a board with a full time
> salary to make these important decisions?
>
> Is bottle water prepared?

Obviously soda, bottled water or coffee won't be taxed.

Oh clever.

>It would include alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages served with a meal.

I buy a roast chicken at Giant and a soda, I get taxed for both. If I just buy a soda, I don't get taxed. So how does that many any sense? After they think about it for a bit, they will just say "Tax it all."

Can we get a definition of "served with a meal". There are lawyers that need to eat somewhere and we need to pay their bills.

dont be dumb Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> XDJG6 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > There aren't really clear about what will be
> taxed
> > other than "prepared food and beverages".
> >
> > I am curious, is soda (or pop if you must) a
> > prepared beverage? If it is, what are the raw
> > ingredients I need to purchase to make my own?
> Is
> > ground coffee prepared? Is roasted coffee
> beans
> > prepared? Where is the line. How many people
> are
> > going to need to sit on a board with a full
> time
> > salary to make these important decisions?
> >
> > Is bottle water prepared?
>
> Obviously soda, bottled water or coffee won't be
> taxed.

Not as groceries, but individual sodas or fountain drinks, your Starbuck's latte, or an individual bottle of water will be taxed. Conversely, a six pack of soda or water or ground coffee will not be taxed. I believe that is how they explained it.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/12/2016 04:24PM by Inquisitive One.

This new TAX will not reduce our property taxes.

Hell, once the Democrats impose this new meals TAX, they will just focus in on the next TAX, including property taxes.

If passed, what would the meals tax money be used for?

1) Hiring a transgender consultant

2) Building transgender bathrooms and changing facilities at all middle schools and high schools

3) Increasing the compensation packages of senior administrators

4) Giving the school board a raise

5) Having at least three school board retreats a year, at least one being with a "sister city" abroad

vote no on the meals tax Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If for?
>
> 1) Hiring a transgender consultant
>
> 2) Building transgender bathrooms and changing
> facilities at all middle schools and high schools
>
> 3) Increasing the compensation packages of senior
> administrators
>
> 4) Giving the school board a raise
>
> 5) Having at least three school board retreats a
> year, at least one being with a "sister city"
> abroad

meals tax Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The meals tax has worked everywhere else, it will
> work here too,


So if all of those jurisdictions made crack and meth legal we should do it too?

Logic is not your strongest skill is it?

Inquisitive One Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> dont be dumb Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > XDJG6 Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > There aren't really clear about what will be
> > taxed
> > > other than "prepared food and beverages".
> > >
> > > I am curious, is soda (or pop if you must) a
> > > prepared beverage? If it is, what are the
> raw
> > > ingredients I need to purchase to make my own?
>
> > Is
> > > ground coffee prepared? Is roasted coffee
> > beans
> > > prepared? Where is the line. How many
> people
> > are
> > > going to need to sit on a board with a full
> > time
> > > salary to make these important decisions?
> > >
> > > Is bottle water prepared?
> >
> > Obviously soda, bottled water or coffee won't
> be
> > taxed.
>
> Not as groceries, but individual sodas or fountain
> drinks, your Starbuck's latte, or an individual
> bottle of water will be taxed. Conversely, a six
> pack of soda or water or ground coffee will not
> be taxed. I believe that is how they explained
> it.


I checked further into soda, coffee and water sales and it is as much of a screwed up mess as what the OP depicted. It seems that a bottle of water, cup of coffee or a fountain drink purchased separately will not be taxed, but if you purchase a hot dog in the same transaction the entire transaction would be subject to the meals tax. Since much of this is subject to local implementation and the retailers' application of the law there is a good probability that you will be paying the tax on these items regardless of whether they are exempted from the law.

Me too Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'd rather pay a tiny bit more when I go out to
> eat then have larger increases on my property tax.
> Count me in on the meals tax!

Update: It's a scam. Fairfax County has NOT said that anyone's property taxes are going down, or how much they are going down. Supervisors have said that property taxes will continue to go up! This tax is to fund more graft and administrators, and nonsense like the $30 Million County bailout of the private Wells Fargo's bank in the non-County arts center in Lorton.

Yes, the taxes always get added but never removed. We, as a nation, still pay "Excise" tax on tires. This tax was initiated to cut down on the purchase of tires during WW II. The tax was never removed and each time you buy a tire or a set of tires, you'll see the excise tax included in the bill.

The Tax Policy Center does a good job of explaining things. For consumptive taxes like this:

http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/topic/individual-taxes/consumption-taxes-individual

Gross Savings Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The meals tax means 4% on everyone who eats out in
> Fairfax, which will allow the county to lower my
> property tax, plus this covers the FCPS deficit.
> So I pay less and my kids benefit more. Sounds
> like one heck of a winning plan to me.
>
>
> "For the purpose of reducing dependence on real
> estate taxes, shall the Board of Supervisors of
> Fairfax County, Virginia, be authorized to levy a
> tax on prepared food and beverages, otherwise
> known as a meals tax, as allowed by Virginia Code
> § 58.1-3833, at a rate not to exceed four percent
> (4%) of the amount charged for prepared food and
> beverages (which, based upon state law, is
> applicable only to sales outside of the town of
> Clifton, and towns of Herndon and Vienna that have
> already implemented a meals tax)? The revenues
> generated shall be dedicated to the following
> purposes:
> 1: 70 percent of the net revenues to Fairfax
> County Public Schools.
> 2: 30 percent of the net revenues to County
> services, capital improvements and property tax
> relief."

I missed the part in their propaganda about actually lowering property taxes. Can you show us where that is?

https://fairfaxvotenoonthemealstax.wordpress.com/2016/10/23/vote-no-on-the-meals-tax-to-fail-to-plan-is-to-plan-to-fail-where-is-the-tax-relief/

"Tax relief" is just propaganda. Property taxes will go up, and there will be no change in teacher salaries.