Fairfax County’s budget is nearly $4.8 billion, but county supervisors say it’s not enough.
It’s All Funny Money Now
Fairfax County will spend about $4.8 billion next year, $250 million more than last year. But over the last decade, taxes have gone up at 3 times the rate of household incomes. Incumbent supervisors, and my opponent for supervisor, Jimmy Bierman, say it’s not enough. We need more spending. But their budget approach is unsustainable.
More than half the $4.8 billion Fairfax County spends goes to schools. Still, teachers were told there was only enough for a 5.2% pay raise. But board members found enough to raise their own pay by 30%.
And they found the money to fund teaching on subjects like “disrupt and dismantle the status quo,” and “building blocks of racism in the United States.”
Don’t misunderstand. I’m a minority and an immigrant. I sympathize with those who feel discriminated against because of the color of their skin. It’s a big part of the reason I left India.
But now we’re doing the same thing here. Just like in the days of slavery and Jim Crow, children are being taught that defining people by the color of their skin is not only acceptable, but all together proper.
Why in the world would we do that?
And how can supervisors and school board members justify teaching that convinces children their society is oppressive and their parents are the enemy of fairness.
Jimmy Bierman, the Democrat nominee for Supervisor in the Dranesville District, has been endorsed by the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors who oversaw all this.
In our most recent debate, Bierman said taxes will need to go up again — including real estate taxes which are already going up at 3 times the rate of household incomes.
Bierman also announced he favors a new tax on meals — even though voters have twice rejected a meals tax.
Other members of the board are looking at building a casino; Herndon and Reston are mentioned as possible sites.
But a casino will not be the revenue gusher local politicians hope it will be. Studies show that casinos lead to lower property values in surrounding neighborhoods, higher crime, and greater addiction and homelessness.
I’d propose a different approach. Let’s re-prioritize, and put our money to work solving problems rather than pushing agendas.
Let’s carve the fat and waste out of government — starting with the 30% pay raise supervisors gave themselves earlier this year.
And let’s cut taxes on homeowners, cars, and small business formation. Then, let’s empower people with the skills they need to fill the nearly 10,000 job vacancies that already exist in Fairfax County.
Those few things alone would add plenty of new taxpayers to meet our future needs without raising taxes, but they’re only a start to what we could do.
I’m Puneet. I want to be a Supervisor for all of us, not just the few ideologues who are running things now.
It would be a tremendous help to our campaign if you would please forward this email to your friends and family in Fairfax County.
And just a reminder that ELECTION DAY is THIS Tuesday, November 7TH. If you have a vote-by-mail ballot don’t forget to return it before election day. Also, early voting is open now. To learn where you can vote early, or where your Election Day polling place is, just click the blue button below. Or call our campaign at (703) 283-6644.
Thank you.
