Sheriff's workers don pro-tax t-shirts

Some civilian employees at the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office wore pro-Issue 27 t-shirts to work today. But it wasn't at the request (or order) of the sheriff, Simon Leis, according to sheriff's office spokesman Steve Barnett.

Barnett didn't know how many workers donned the t-shirts today, but said most sheriff's office workers support the sales tax. Issue 27 would build a new jail and fund public safety programs. About a third of the sheriff's office's 1,060 employees are civilian (meaning they aren't in uniform and therefore have leeway on their dress).

Oh, and Barnett made sure to note the t-shirts were not paid for by the sheriff's office either. Leis, an avid Issue 27 supporter, was sued for allowing letters to be sent and e-mailed to county workers urging them to support the tax. He later allowed anti-sales tax letters to be sent to workers too as part of a settlement.

Barnett said he saw no workers wearing anti-sales tax t-shirts.