Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1946-01-18
Political
Action
by
Clayton
Rusch
Chairman
of the Political Action Committed

OF the Political Action Committed
CITY ISSUE
The most important local is
sue affecting the welfare of
the people of Toledo will have
Tin all probability been voted
on by city council before this
column appears in print.
This issue is the 10 paw
roll tax which was recon-
mended for passage without
exemptions, the only no votes
being those of Tom Burke and
Art Jurrus.
| think this situation bears
out the contention of the CIO-
PAC that in order to have q
representative council we
will first have to eliminate
the proportional representa-
ton system of electing city
councilmen.
Recognizing that this must
wait until the civic-minded
groups in Toledo come for
ward with a more democratic
method of electing city coun-
cilmen, let us discuss what
constitutes fair pay roll tax.
AS has been said before,
the CIO-PAC realizes the need
for taxes to provide the peo-
pie with necessary public util-
tiles and services. We support
the principle of taxes based on
ability to pay. We recognize
that income is the best indi-
cation of the ability to pay.
UNEQUAL BURDEN
1t t Ws automatically
from this reasoning that a 10
pay roll tax with no exemp-
tins is not based on the abil-.
lty to pay. Such a tax inn
poses disproportionate bur-
den on the shoulders of the
wage earnerS.
Richard GoSser has clearly
stated our position at hearings
on the proposed tax plan. He
made it plain that we stand
four square behind the prin-
ciple that people making less
than $500 per year should be
exempt from this tax.
In discussing exemptions.
members of Council have rails
ed the objection that such an
exemption would leave the
city with insufficient operat-
ing funds, to say nothing of
money for civic improve
ments.
1t so happens that the $500
exemption from the 1ao pay
roll tax could be passed and
there would still remain an eff
fective method of obtaining
sufficient funds under the pay
IOll TAX plan,
That method is to recognize
That this is an income tax
that this is an income tax re-
gardlesS of how derived and
included profits of CORPORA
tions Cat least that part OBJ
tained in the city of Toledo) as
well as payrolls. There is no
reason why this tax on in
comes over $4,000 per year
could not be increased beyond
the 10.
This would mean no taxes
on incomes of $25O0 or less
per year, l % tax on incomes
between $4,000 and $4,000 and
graduated above $4,000 to an
amount sufficient to meet the
need of the city.
Brother GosSer has clearly
stated that if this tax is passed
without exemptions the CIO-
PAC will certainly take out
the necessary petitions to put
the issue on the ballot in 1946.
DEMONSTRATION
In the very first showdown
after the defeat of the P. r.
repeal amendment, City Coun-
Gil has amply demonstrated
ed under the P. r. plan to
the inability of council elect
pass legislation in the best in
tereSt of the people.
A cardinal plank in the
ClO-PAC program is taxes
based on the ability to paw.
The CIO-PAC will vigorous
ly oppose any and all tax
plans not based on the abil-
ity to pay.
If we had to rely on the
public press to inform our
people on this issue, the work.
ing people would be so con-
fused that putting any kind of
fair tax plan on the ballot
would be extremely difficult.
The Lucas County CIO-PAC is
fortunate that in Brother o. ].
Pecord we have a publicity
director who knows the score
and has done an exemplary
public relations job in clearly
explaining our program to the
people.
The CIO-PAC also supports a
program for full employment,
adequate social security laws,
and protection of civil liber-
ties TO rail-.