On December 15th the proposed 2004 Northampton County budget comes before County Council for approval. This budget will result in a 37.5 percent tax hike for County residents. What is the County proposing to spend the new funds on? Drastic cutbacks are predicted in county government services...This is not just the downsizing of a bloated bureaucracy, but cuts in essential services - mental health; children, youth, and family; "Chores" designed to supplement senior income; and drug and alcohol addiction programs.

A good chunk of the increase will go to cover the $10 million debt service (principal, interest, and administrative costs) on the $111 million bond that the GPA floated in 2001.

Created amid charges and investigations of illegality from the County DA's office and Council itself, the bond managed to survive. This is only the first installment of the 30-year payout term of the bond. A lawsuit attempted to invalidate the bond because of the corporate giveaways it contained. That failed, and taxpayers will be looking at the result of that failure in tax bills one-third higher than 2003.

Call County Council members (listed below) and the County District Attorney office, and/or the Country Controller, and demand an investigation of the General Purpose Authority and its $111 million bond.

Plan to attend at 6:30 p.m. on December 11th - the last Council meeting of the year - when the 2004 County budget will be voted on. If the budget is not approved on December 11th, a final meeting will held on December 15th, time to be announced.

Ron Angle	570-897-6243
Tim Merwarth	610-253-4467
Nick Sabatine	610-863-9044
Mary Ensslin	610-588-6550
Wayne Grube	610-614-1312
Peg Ferraro	610-759-1959
Ann McHale	610-691-3080
Michael Dowd	610-252-0019
Michael Corriere	610-865-5566
John Schimmel, Controller	610-559-3185
John Morganelli, DA	610-559-3020