STATION EDITORIAL

Posted December 30, 2020

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.

Well, as we welcome a new year, it's time for our politicians to again get into our pockets for more of you and I's money, otherwise known as taxes.  

But, hey, it's Illinois, so should we expect anything less!

The General Assembly passed changes in the state's sales tax, to make on-line companies like Amazon, charge Illinois State Sales Tax on purchases made by consumers in Illinois.  Politicians claimed that was to try and level the playing field between the on-line stores and brick and mortar, mom and pop businesses.

But, hid behind those changes in the state's sales tax, is a complex and goobly-goop maze which are actually 4 different tax charges in Illinois:

There's the Retailers’ occupation tax that applies to tangible personal property;
The Service occupation tax that applies to services;
The Service use tax that applies to services; and 
The Use tax that applies to tangible personal property.

A local auctioneer I visited with just before the end of 2020, informed me that the changes in the "Retailer's Occupation Tax" starting January First, means that every item you buy at an auction, is now TAXED, even though whoever bought that item when it was NEW, had ALREADY PAID Illinois State Sales Tax on it.  That means that item is being taxed TWICE.

With legislators and the Governor continuing to spend money like it's water, and with the state's revenues plummetting due to the coronavirus outbreak, it's a safe bet that they'll be rolling out more taxes to make up what will be a billion dollar deficit in the state budget in 2021.

And we wonder why more people continue to LEAVE Illinois, than are moving in.

That's our opinion, we welcome yours.  Our e-mail address is editorial-at-randyradio-dot-com.

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted December 4, 2020

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.  

As we celebrate the birth of Christ and get ready to usher in a New Year, normally we reflect on the year we're leaving, reviewing the successes and failures we've had whether in our faith, family, or business.

But, this year, quite frankly, I'm just thankful that I still have all 3.  It's been a trying year as a result of the coronavirus outbreak and the stress it's caused all of us.  I've learned to pray more, try to spend more time with my family more when it makes sense, and worked to make sure we continue to serve our listeners and advertisers while keeping our employees in all 3 of our buildings safe.

I gotta tell ya, it's worn me out, and from visiting with countless listeners and advertisers thru-out this year, I know I'm not alone.

But, for a few moments, let's reflect on the greatest gift we've ever been given...the birth of Jesus Christ.  He came to Earth so that we have the choice of living for Him to get thru this thing we call life, as well as be with Him in Heaven when, in my case, I sign off for good.

The wonderful Christmas music we're playing in each market, attracts me to the story of Christ's birth from Matthew Chapter One, where an angel of the Lord speaks to Joseph.  Quoting the Scripture:  

What is conceived in Mary is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

From my wife Cathy, our daughters and grand-daughters, and our employees and families at our stations in Taylorville, Shelbyville, and Clinton, may your family have a wonderful holiday season remembering that Jesus is the Reason for the Season.

And, may your 2021 be full of health, happiness, and prosperity...and may the coronavirus finally be gone!

That's our opinion, we welcome yours.  Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.