Gee! We're going to get more money! Let's Spend It.

In 2004, when Sedgwick County voters approved increasing the sales tax by one percent for 30 months, did any sane citizen really believe the money would be used responsibly? Then, the arena was a $184.5 million project, but now that the tax is bringing in more money than expected, the arena budget budget has been expanded to $205.5 million.

Sedgwick County Commissioners approved the new budget total, with Kelly Parks and Gwen Welshimer voting against it.

Even though the sales tax hike is bring in more money than originally predicted, county leaders say they can't end the tax early. They can only cancel it 90 days before a business quarter. That would have been in July and, at that time, the county hadn't collected enough money. The 1 cent sales tax is scheduled to end this December.

In other news…

Federal authorities in Wichita have charged members of the Crips street gang with racketeering. U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren says 28 members of the Crips are accused of a criminal enterprise. Hey, Eric… what about the County Commissioners? Perhaps you should be looking at their racketeering enterprises.

criminal enterprise, crips, Eric Melgren, Politics, racketeering, sales tax, sedgwick county commissioners, tax hike