"If Callahan says he hasn't raised taxes in four years, and Dent says Callahan raised tax each of four years, then someone is lying. "Regardless of what party any one of us might usually vote for, we owe it to our own personal sense of integrity to figure out who is lying."
That's a comment from Noel Jones, who publishes the terrific Neighbors of Easton. I promised her a bullshit-free answer. Believe it or not, a news release from Charlie Dent's campaign contains the underlying factual basis for Dent's claim.
√ As a Councilman, Callahan voted to increase the property tax by 5.5% (2002)
√ He voted for the 2004 budget that included another tax increase of 2.2% and which increased the sewer rate and recycling fees.
√ As Mayor, Callahan’s first budget (2005) increased taxes by 6.4% -- the highest property tax increase in a decade.
√ Callahan then raised property taxes an additional 13.4% in the 2006 budget.
Since 2006, Callahan has proposed no new tax increase. So they are both telling the truth.
