Dec
27
Schueb Hopes Thousands Show Up For Tax Vote Tomorrow
Filed Under COIT, Fran DuPey, Gerry Scheub, Income Tax, Lake County Commissioners, Lake County Council, taxes | Leave a Comment
Lake County Commissioner Gerry Scheub says that he hopes thousands of Lake County taxpayers show up to let the Lake County Council know how they feel about a new tax imposition at tomorrow’s 4 p.m. Council meeting.
Before voting to veto the income tax Dec. 19, (Commissioners Gerry) Scheub and (Fran) DuPey said they were embarrassed to be Democrats because the Democratic-controlled County Council had not allowed residents to voice their opinions on the tax proposal.
Scheub threatened to leave the Democratic Party if the council did not allow testimony before Friday’s vote to override the veto.
“I just hope there are a thousand people there Friday,” Scheub said after learning testimony would be allowed.
Dec
20
Political Chess Match Begins Over 1% Income Tax
Filed Under COIT, Fran DuPey, Income Tax, Lake County Commissioners, Will Smith Jr, property tax crisis, taxes | 3 Comments
The political chess game surrounding the 1% Lake County income tax is being played.
The moves so far:
The Lake County Council passed a 1% income tax, 5-1.
The Lake County Commissioners vetoed it, 2-1.
Prediction: The Lake County Council overrides the veto and someone files a lawsuit challenging the legitimacy of councilman Will Smith, Jr.’s vote.
Says Lake County Commissioner Fran DuPey, according to the Northwest Indiana Times:
DuPey attacked council members who voted for the tax Tuesday night.
“The vote of one council member for the income tax is subject to challenge because of a criminal conviction,” she said.
DuPey was referring to the federal felony conviction of Councilman Will Smith, D-Gary, in September on a charge of filing a false tax return in 2001. He is scheduled to be sentenced next month.
DuPey said the vote of Councilwoman Christine Cid, D-East Chicago, for the tax was a conflict of interest because Cid is a county government employee and violated her campaign promises.
