It's Baaack!

A tax by any other name is still a stupid idea!

Project Destiny is a plan to add another penny to the sales tax collected in Dallas, Polk and Warren Counties.

According to the web site...

Project Destiny is a blueprint for the future of our economic and community development efforts. It's the culmination of months of discussion among business and community leaders to provide property tax relief and fund regional quality of life amenities through a penny
local option sales tax in Polk, Dallas and Warren Counties.

It's a blueprint to more waste!

According to the City of Des Moines' finance department, the owner of a $100,000 home would save about $84 a year.

However, that same person would pay $160 in higher sales taxes. That's according to the Iowa Department of Revenue and Finance.

Let's just say you're a business leader and you decide to produce a product that will net your company $84 for each sale, but would cost you $160 to produce.

You are not going to be a business leader for long!

Certainly not the ten years this tax would be in effect if enacted by voters on July 10, 2007.

The business leaders behind this tax increase are the Greater Des Moines Partnership, a business development group outgrowth of the Chamber of Commerce, that since 2003 has pushed for tax increases.

Windsor Heights resident Richard Christie has an Internet site to oppose the tax increase.

It should be noted the vote also would not freeze property assessments, which have climbed steadily for most homeowners, or prevent cities from increasing their property tax rates.