It’s customary every year for the Cinniapolis government to introduce new taxes and repeal other taxes upon its citizenry. Most of these transactions are inconsequential and hardly make a difference to each citizen’s tax responsibility, positively or negatively. But a new 2024 tax is catching the attention of Cinniapolitans. The “Restoration of Vital Infrastructure” (RVI) tax imposed this year will be a flat 2% tax on every Cinniapolis resident’s income, regardless of income level. This tax is not able to be deducted nor is any taxpayer exempt.

The money collected from the RVI tax is earmarked to fund a restoration of the Cinniapolis Performing Arts Theatre, which has been a pile of rubble for nearly two years. It is also intended to help fund rebuilding homes in Walesburg that succumbed to fires caused by Summer lightning strikes. ”This new tax asks all of our great citizens to pitch in a little more to help those that are unable to overcome nature’s tragedies and to rebuild one of the greatest landmarks on Earth,” said Mayor Gondola. ”While this new tax is being received in a negative light, folks will find that their overall tax burden is down this year, thanks to our Administration’s tireless efforts to end outdated taxes,” he said, without citing specific examples.

Naturally, citizens are skeptical since this Administration has a track-record of misleading the public. ”I’ll believe it when I see it,” said Gregory Dragg, owner of Dragg Meat and Dairy and frequent critic of Mayor Gondola. ”This Mayor continues to whittle away at our bank accounts to enrich his government cronies. Remember, this is the same guy who campaigned on eradicating crime and then disbanded the police force, only to later reinstate a shell of a law enforcement agency while criminals and addicts run rampant through our city,” he said.

Taxes are only as good as those in charge of using the money wisely. This could be a great development to restore the Cinni Performing Arts Theatre. It also has great potential to backfire, if the funds are misused by the same government that has yet to deliver on its promise to buy out meat-centric businesses or loan these same businesses the capital to convert to plant-based foods business. Mr. Dragg said, “I’m still waiting to be bought out. I applied and submitted all the requested records to qualify. I’ve yet to hear back from the government and at this point, I don’t expect to hear back.”