"We don't pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes." - Leona Helmsley
Steve Black, Indian Hill's former Republican Mayor, Cincinnati Attorney, and one of Ohio's 2008 Second Congressional District's Democratic primary candidates, recently published the following comments regarding Farm Subsidies:
"The Farm Bill was originally devised to provide a way to insure the survival of farms if the market did poorly. Today it has become largely a giveaway to big agribusiness. For example, King Ranch in Texas alone has received over 8 million dollars in subsidies since 1999. This is not the proper way to allocate subsidies if at all."
Well, it would seem, that the former Republican Mayor, heir to a significant family fortune, and running for congress as a pillar of the community may have taken lessons from the 'culture of corruption' regarding rural issues and agribusiness.
It appears, the wealthy Mr. Black has been getting a big tax break (CAUV) on his Indian Hill estate.
Oh, and don't forget his tiny grain farms, .948 and .28 acres, respectively: Here ! and Here !
Did Mr. Black just re-apply for an agricultural exemption that gives him almost $750,000 in tax breaks on the value of his land in the plush community of Indian Hill ?
If so, would that mean that he pays about $7,900 in taxes on his 10 acre spread - at least $10,000 per year less than he would pay otherwise ?
Should a former Republican, council member, Mayor, and current local attorney pay their fair share in property taxes ?
Is the congressional candidate, whose website talks about supporting family farmers, trying to game the system for one of their benefits ?
Is he, exclusively, keeping commercial livestock or commercially selling crops ?
If so, could Mr. Black really claim to be a country farmer or is he taking advantage of the law the same way big agribusiness does and for which: he condemns ?
Could the Over the Rhine citizens claim a .28 acre backyard grain farm ?
Do we expect all to pay their fair share in property taxes to support the green acres of our county parks ?
bravenet.com
