Scheub reverts to opponent of local income tax

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BY BILL DOLAN
bdolan@nwitimes.com
219.662.5328 | Thursday, November 08, 2007 | (12 comment(s))

CROWN POINT | The man whose vote could make a 1 percent personal income tax a reality has withdrawn his support for it.

Lake County Commissioner Gerry Scheub, D-Schererville, said Wednesday afternoon said, "I will vote to veto a county option tax."

This comes one day after Scheub publicly admitted he was being pressured by state legislators and big city mayors to yield in favor of an income tax.

Scheub, who represents most suburban communities on the county board of commissioners, said he spent 24 hours of soul searching and answering calls from constituents opposed to the tax before reverting to his previous opposition to an income tax.

Commissioner Fran DuPey, D-Hammond, who represents Hammond, Whiting, Munster and parts of Dyer, Griffith, Highland and St. John, issued a letter Wednesday repeating her opposition to a local income tax.

Their statement come as the County Council prepares for a vote -- possibly this month -- to enact a 1 percent income tax on county residents and employees later this month.

It would require four of the seven council members to pass a tax and the four representing Gary, Hammond and East Chicago appear to support it.

A veto by Scheub and DuPey would force the council to muster a larger majority to override a veto, but more votes could be hard to come by.

The remaining three council members represent suburban communities who see an income tax as an unfair way to force suburban taxpayers to subsidize unchecked spending in East Chicago, Gary and Hammond.

Scheub said he was pressured last week by state legislators and big city mayors to pass an income tax.

Region legislators said they sat down with county officials last week to explain that the levy freeze would hurt south county communities, not just the northern cities that are considered free spenders. They also said ignoring the income tax mandate would weaken their bargaining position when the General Assembly reconvenes in January.

State Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, said "Many communities in south Lake have building projects and other projects on the drawing board, and they're going to be told 'No' if they have maintain the same levy."

State Rep. Earl Harris, D-East Chicago, said, "We would be down here with one arm tied behind our backs" if the county doesn't impose the income tax, Harris said.

DuPey wrote in her letter, "Lake County has been unfairly treated for many years. I will not put my signature on the council's actions...to approve."

Times staff writer Patrick Guinane contributed to this report.

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finally!! wrote on Nov 8, 2007 12:58 PM:

" Finally these politicians are getting scared and looking out for the citizens. i think the elections and the fact that so many politicians lost their job made the rest open their eyes to the fact that if they don't start working for the people they too will be out of a job. "

Gerry- Please explain wrote on Nov 8, 2007 12:48 PM:

" I'm a lil confused, and I suppose others are also. So a 1% county tax would do what for our communities? And what does it do to property taxes? Also what is the distribution of these monies? Need help! "

Pandagirl wrote on Nov 8, 2007 10:34 AM:

" We do not need one more tax. Were is the accountability from our politians? Why are subjecting ourselves to this continual robbing of our wallets? I live in an old house in a declining community. I do not have more money to give to the political machine. Get out and vote people! Stop the apathy. It's killing us! "

Ken wrote on Nov 8, 2007 9:56 AM:

" The county income tax should be passed provided it involves constitutionally mandated property tax relief. Seniors should not be losing their homes because of higher property taxes. "

i love government! wrote on Nov 8, 2007 9:56 AM:

" gotta love being a blue county in a red state... "

Taxpayer in St. John wrote on Nov 8, 2007 9:12 AM:

" Thanks for coming to your senses, Jerry!! Now, keep the ball rolling and get Will Smith, the convicted felon, off the council. John Dull seems to be able to write rules for county cars, worry about the county finances, can he now deal with the law and Smith. The last comment also is aimed at our county prosecutor, Mr. Carter. "

Larry wrote on Nov 8, 2007 8:37 AM:

" YES!!!!!!!!! LET'S KEEP GOING DOWN THE SAME ROAD!!!!!!!!! "

F Dock - East Chicago Marina wrote on Nov 8, 2007 8:31 AM:

" Thanks for sticking to your guns, you're a strong lady, keep it up! "

Smart move Mr. Scheub wrote on Nov 8, 2007 8:01 AM:

" You will get my vote when the time comes. Vote to impose yet another tax and you will be looking for a job. "

Grateful Citizen wrote on Nov 8, 2007 7:26 AM:

" THANK YOU, Mr. Scheub!! "

Way to Go Gerry!!! (continued) wrote on Nov 8, 2007 7:20 AM:

" That extra 100 or so goes north, probably more than that as the state will take over our school funding and probably pull from that too so our school gets less. How's that fair? I'm all for paying my fair share but how is it fair that my tax money would be used to support communities I don't live in, drive through, work in, or send my children to school in? Let alone the fact that I work in Illinois and already am paying state income taxes over there too to support the CTA and other things. If Indy wants to institute a tax so that more money will flow to the Northern Lake County coffers, they should raise the sales tax in Indy alone an additional 1% and they can pay for it (they will then cry that they don't live or work in those cities and it's not up to them to pay for their services) exactly what I'm saying but we are being penalized for living in Lake County. Time to quit typing and complaining here and start writing letters to those in Indy! Just my two cents. "

Way to go Gerry!! wrote on Nov 8, 2007 7:19 AM:

" Finally a speck of hope with a politician doing the right thing. for once! They are not lowering our taxes for those of us in south Lake county, they are just swapping taxes so that it will free up some of our tax dollars to send to the northern cities. If I'm going to pay more regardless( which is what they are trying to do- lower my property taxes but charge me an income tax), I want my tax money to stay where I live, and support the services in my community and expand our infrastructure. I did the math with the new tax rates, and my real estate taxes are going up roughly about 400.00. If they leave that alone and charge me a one percent income tax and reduce my real estate tax to 1% of my property value, I'm paying about 500.00 more per year. "

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