CLEVELAND – Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson has proposed raising the city’s income tax to 2.5 percent to make up for a budget deficit of more than $41 million.
Jackson said the income tax hike would result in balancing the budget, as well as providing the city with another $40 million to spend on improving city services. He said a study is underway to figure out where the funds will be used specifically.
When asked if he was afraid the tax hike would drive employers away from Cleveland, Jackson replied, “No, I’m afraid if I can’t plow a street, why would they even come? If they call police and it takes them half an hour to get there, why would they come?”
Cleveland City Council president Kevin Kelley added that he’s open to the increase, but he wants specifics.
“But not if it’s just status quo,” Kelley said. “It’s got to make us better.”
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Article and Picture Courtesy of WEWS NewsChannel 5 Cleveland
