Evidently an Orange County group that is supposed to help the poor hasn’t yet realized that anyone who buys something — that includes the poor — will be hit by a hike in the sales tax, if the referendum is passed by Orange voters. And somehow, the Justice United folks who marched in support of the tax hike think a hike will result in lower sewer rates for Efland. Uhh, maybe, if, if, if, if… (emphasis is mine)

Some Justice United marchers said the sewage rates for the Efland community could climb to an average of $121 per month due to the economy and the cost of sewage treatment.

“If rates continue to rise, my water bill is going to be as much as my mortgage,” said Sharon Sinclair, a speaker at the march and an Efland community leader.

Orange County Commissioner Bernadette Pelissier said none of the money from the tax, if passed, would directly go to the sewer system in Efland.

She said if the sales tax is passed, the Board of Orange County Commissioners might install a commercial sewage system along the Interstates 40 and 85 corridor, which would connect businesses as well as the Efland community to Mebane’s sewer system.

This means the Efland community would pay Mebane rates and not be subjected to the current increasing rates.

For more information on the proposed tax hike:

Orange County’s tax hike website

John Locke Foundation analysis of the proposed hike