NAACP, FOP agree: no to jail tax

The NAACP and FOP may not agree on everything, but they do on this: they don't want Hamilton County to raise the sales tax to pay for a new jail and anti-crime plan.

Jessica Brown reports in today's Enquirer:

Two groups voiced opposition to Hamilton County's comprehensive safety plan to raise the sales tax to build a new jail on Thursday, though for different reasons.

The Cincinnati police union voted not to support the plan because it includes $2.3 million to expand Hamilton County's sheriff patrols. The Fraternal Order of Police Queen City Lodge No. 69 says Cincinnati officers should be patrolling city streets, not county deputies.

The Cincinnati chapter of the NAACP said it would oppose any move to increase the sales tax without voter approval.

Commissioners are expected to decide Wednesday whether to put the tax issue on the November ballot or enact it themselves without a vote.

Here is NAACP president Chris Smitherman's letter:


May 25, 2007



Dear Commissioner Portune:

Thank you for attending the general membership meeting of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) on May 24, 2007. We appreciate your willingness to present the Comprehensive Safety Plan directly to the NAACP members.

This is one issue of many. The general membership previously voted not to support funding should it appear on an August ballot. Last night, the membership voted not to support a sales tax increase by County Commissioners without voter approval. Also, during the discussion, the membership connected the Banks Project's lack of inclusion of African Americans in contracting, procurement, and employment with the proposal to build a jail for the "increasing criminal population".

On behalf of the NAACP, we look forward to working cooperatively with you and the Hamilton County Commissioners to provide the best options for our community.

Sincerely,


Christopher Smitherman
President, NAACP