The receiver has won his struggle with the City Council and beginning January 1, Harrisburg residents will now have their city tax bill doubled from 1 to 2 percent of their income.
It was in late August that a Commonwealth Court ordered the council to double the tax within 15 days, now roughly 60 days later the City Council is doing it.
Tuesday night's vote was 5-2 council members Brad Koplinski and Susan Brown-Wilson voting to remain in contempt of the court order and not to raise the tax.
City Controller and mayoral candidate Dan Miller met with the board last night and he told us he was shocked by the council's vote. However, Mayor Thompson supported this tax hike.
“None of us as elected officials want to raise taxes, but it is a necessary responsibility,” cited Mayor Thompson.
“We have not seen a comprehensive plan and if we are going to increase taxes, which could be OK, but it has to be in the concept of a comprehensive plan,” believes Harrisburg City Controller Dan Miller.
“We had a gun to our head this was going to happen,” Councilman Brad Koplinski told us.
No matter how little money you make, one percent more will be going to keep the city operating. It means if you make $30,000 a year, you were paying $300 but you'll now be paying $600 a year.
Back in August there was almost unanimous council opposition to the tax.
“These are regular citizens they are trying to do the best they can,” urged Miller.
“Have faith in the city council there are stipulations that we can not reveal to the public as of yet,” explained Wanda Williams.
The City Council president said more information will be released soon.
Brad Koplinski thought a countywide sales tax to help the city would be a better solution.
With a tax hike like this, there is always the chance of unintended consequences.
14.2 million is the 2012 budget hole for the city, plus the $340 million debt the city faces, per capita, the largest of any municipality in the nation.
It was in late August that a Commonwealth Court ordered the council to double the tax within 15 days, now roughly 60 days later the City Council is doing it.
Tuesday night's vote was 5-2 council members Brad Koplinski and Susan Brown-Wilson voting to remain in contempt of the court order and not to raise the tax.
City Controller and mayoral candidate Dan Miller met with the board last night and he told us he was shocked by the council's vote. However, Mayor Thompson supported this tax hike.
“None of us as elected officials want to raise taxes, but it is a necessary responsibility,” cited Mayor Thompson.
“We have not seen a comprehensive plan and if we are going to increase taxes, which could be OK, but it has to be in the concept of a comprehensive plan,” believes Harrisburg City Controller Dan Miller.
“We had a gun to our head this was going to happen,” Councilman Brad Koplinski told us.
No matter how little money you make, one percent more will be going to keep the city operating. It means if you make $30,000 a year, you were paying $300 but you'll now be paying $600 a year.
Back in August there was almost unanimous council opposition to the tax.
“These are regular citizens they are trying to do the best they can,” urged Miller.
“Have faith in the city council there are stipulations that we can not reveal to the public as of yet,” explained Wanda Williams.
The City Council president said more information will be released soon.
Brad Koplinski thought a countywide sales tax to help the city would be a better solution.
With a tax hike like this, there is always the chance of unintended consequences.
14.2 million is the 2012 budget hole for the city, plus the $340 million debt the city faces, per capita, the largest of any municipality in the nation.