by Roldo Bartimole

   (Plain Press July 2026) It’s difficult to figure out who pays more taxes proportionally to their income – ordinary or poor people or well-off people. Well, I think I know. The little guy does!

   Property taxes (even if included by the landlord in rent), and then city and state income taxes, mean there’s a burden on everyone. Not cheap.

NEWS ANALYSIS

   And then State and Federal income taxes must be paid. 

   But that doesn’t tell all the whole story.

   THE NICKEL AND DIME GUYS NOW COME FOR YOU. Salami slicing taxes. Sometimes so disguised you don’t know to count them.

   I MEAN YOUR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES – the nickel & dimers are your Mayor, Council President, and your City Council members.

   They are people you actually select and elect. They are your representatives.

   What portion of an ordinary family’s income (especially a family with children) do these taxes take?

   THE BIGGEST TAX IS THE SALES TAX.

   In Cuyahoga County the politicians have not chosen to keep it low. Indeed, it’s the highest in the State at 8 percent, and it is levied on a lot of different products.

   It’s a costly TAX for ordinary families — especially those with children.

   But the politicians have to look for more. And they don’t look to tax luxury goods more. No. They look much lower.

   For wealthy sports teams they invented the cleverly named “sin tax.” Who’s for SIN?

   The sin tax is a tax on cigarettes and alcohol – 1.5 cents on beer; 4.5 cents on a pack of cigarettes (there is talk now of tripling these charges – three times what it is now to raise more revenue for sports multi-millionaires and billionaires). It now raises some $13 to $14 million a year. Think about an increase to some $40 million a year coming from mostly people who can’t afford a game ticket.

   I suspect it’s a tax aimed at a lower economic class. But that isn’t the only tax on smokers.

   Ohio cigarette tax: $1.60 per pack. Keep those kids puffin.

   And more.

   Arts sales tax: Cuyahoga County – 70 cents a package of cigarettes. Since 2007 it has taken in an impressive amount of $275 million. It is a tax that hardly touch our well-to-do county residents.

   Do you suppose many of those young new smokers avail themselves of the arts at Playhouse Square on Sundays?

   Gasoline tax: Ohio with federal: 38.5 cents per gallon. How many gallons do you use monthly?

   Admission taxes (Cleveland) to events, sports & entertainment – 8 percent (hiked in 1995).

   Parking: Cleveland: Recent upped charges for street parking. First hour: $1.50; 4 hours – $10.50.

   In other words, don’t use the streets you’ve already paid for.

   Maybe you can think of other nickel and dime hits.

   They certainly do add up. They take multi-millions from the ordinary person every year.