In Tuesday’s Peoria Journal Star, I saw that the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce took out a small ad (image at right) on the front of the Business section. It says, “The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce says THANK YOU to Peoria city and county leaders, their administrators and partners for balancing their budgets without any tax increases. This is a huge benefit to our regional businesses and residents!”

Brought to you by an organization that supported (or didn’t oppose):

• raising sales taxes to build a museum downtown
• raising property taxes to expand the Peoria Public Library
• District 150’s “efforts to make tough decisions,” including raising property taxes and closing schools
• establishment of a charter school which will lead to higher taxes at least in the short run

Some taxes hurt “regional businesses and residents,” but others don’t. Only the Chamber can tell the difference. And did you notice that the Chamber is representing regional residents now? I guess they think they speak for everyone.

If I might be allowed to speak for myself — as not just a “regional” resident, but an actual Peoria city and county resident — a static tax rate is not a “huge benefit” when it’s coupled with continued cuts in service. Who wants to keep spending the same amount for fewer and fewer benefits? Nor does a static tax rate mean that taxes were not raised. The tax rate is a percentage of the equalized assessed valuation of property within the city/county. If the property values go up and the tax rate remains constant, guess what? We’re paying more in taxes!