Death to Death Taxes
The article "Life After Death Tax" [May 25, 2011] makes those of us who support estate tax repeal appear as though we care nothing about local governments and the programs they support. The reality is that we are working for repeal because we care about the long-term future of our cities and towns.
As the reporter acknowledges, the estate tax is an "unpredictable tariff." What is predictable is the message this tax sends to small business owners, farmers, and investors: Take your jobs elsewhere. This is the lesson learned from a Connecticut Department of Revenue study published in 2008. It found that states without estate taxes produced twice as many new jobs and their economies grew nearly 50 percent more from 2004-2007 than states with such taxes.
Ending Ohio's estate tax — which has the lowest exemption in the nation — would likely have a similar effect on the total revenue collections for Ohio and its cities and municipalities.
Dick Patten, President
American Family Business Institute
Funding Future Ballers
I had not paid much attention to the death tax warnings until, thankfully, your article. Now I get it. I do work that pays more, I save more, so my children or grandchildren can have a home, business, or education — and you, the People, take some of my money when I die so your kids can shoot hoops at the rec center. So, like that great lifelong liberal Senator Metzenbaum, I will die somewhere else.
Robert Shwab
Let Tremont Be Tremont
I get that people are upset about loud partying, vomit, etc. in Tremont ["Open Season," May 11]. But all of the bars, restaurants, and other businesses make the neighborhood an attractive place to live.
Local businesses are thriving and home prices in Tremont are increasing ... so really, should we be complaining? Get a grip, people: You live in a city that is finally starting to behave like a true city. If you don't like it, move to the suburbs.
Blogthenewblack
