What would happen if the tax on liquor went up two percent? Would you buy less alcohol in the city of Aurora? Would you perhaps go to Denver to buy your beer, wine and spirits?

That's what some members of the city council are afraid might happen if a proposal by Councilwoman Renie Peterson goes to the ballot in November.

The Aurora Sentinel reported April 17 that the full Aurora City Council would consider the proposal. The council could then recommend that the measure be sent to the voters in November.

If the measure passed, the increased tax revenue would go to fund programs in the Aurora Police Department and the Aurora Fire Department.

Increasing taxes is not something that is taken lightly by any politician. The political ramifications can be far reaching.

Remember George H. W. Bush's campaign mantra, "Read my lips; no new taxes"? One political party often tells the public not to vote for the other one because "They will raise your taxes."

Taxes have been and will always be a hot button issue with the public.

Not only are there political questions to be answered when considering a tax hike, but there are also business questions to be considered.

Basic economic theory states that when you raise the price of something, whether to make more profit or to increase tax revenue to the government, the higher cost of the good will cause people to purchase less of that good.

Advocates of the bill might point to the fact that alcohol is a luxury item, not a necessity. But while a two percent increase a regular good might cause people to buy less of it, it could be a different story with alcohol, which is a good that is not easily substitutable.

If you're into economic theory and don't mind a little math, click on this link to read a little bit more about how increased taxes could effect the price of and availability of goods. I've warned you: don't click on the link unless you like to read about differential equations.

If you want a little more basic understanding of the process, try this link.

What do you think about the proposed tax increase for liquor? Why not let all your neighbors know how you really feel? You can post your own story about it, but why not start a blog?

Events

Here are a few things that you can do this weekend if you are a little bored around the house.

-Overland High School is hosting a Swing Into Spring with the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra from 6 to 10 p.m. April 20. All proceeds from this event benefit the OHS orchestra. Tickets are $10 for seniors and students and $15 for adults. Dinner will be served from 6 to 8 p.m. with music by Overland High's orchestra. There will be swing dance lessons at 7:30 p.m. and the MJO will play from 8 to 10 p.m. For more information, call 303-596-1272.

-Aurora Public Schools will host an All-Star basketball fundraiser at 7 p.m. April 20 at Rangeview High School, 17599 E. Iliff Ave. The Harlem Legends, a celebrity team created by former Harlem Globetrotter Michael Douglas, are visiting APS to play in a basketball game fundraiser benefiting Rangeview High School and Columbia Middle School student activities and programs. General admission is $10 per adult and $7 per student. For advance tickets, contact event coordinator Lori Cohen at 303-564-7964.

-Gateway High School, 1300 S. Sable Blvd, will host an Empty Bowls fundraiser from 5-8 p.m. April 20. Empty Bowls is a nationwide fundraiser held at various times of the year. Organizations create ceramic bowls, and then serve a simple meal of bread and soup. Guests at the fundraising dinner choose a bowl to use for their meal; the bowls also serve as reminders of how there are always Empty Bowls throughout the world. Proceeds from the dinner will help a hunger-fighting organization. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door. For more information, call 303-755-7160, Ext. 47252.

-Smoky Hill High School, 16100 E. Smoky Hill Road, will be hosting a 5K run/walk, "Movin' On with Mark" at 8:30 a.m. April 21. Mark Mather was an active, healthy, athletic twenty-year-old when he developed flu-like symptoms. In May of 2006 during his sophomore year at Metro State College, he was diagnosed with a bacterial infection called Meningococcemia. He spent the first 20 days at Aurora Medical Center in intensive care and was transferred to Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center where they removed both of his arms and legs. He spent 8 weeks and endured over 24 surgeries. The goal is for your donations to go toward Mark and his family to provide the cost of the prostheses as well as funds for the yearly maintenance they will require. For more information, visit www.movinonwithmark.com.

-The Aurora Kids Idol 2007 gets underway April 21 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at various locations around Aurora. This is Aurora 3rd year, hosting the event. Northern Aurora Business Association (a non-profit organization) and American Youth Entertainers proudly support youth activities. Each young person must complete the registration process and try-out. The finalists will be selected from the try-outs. You can also find tryout dates, times, locations, and registration forms on the site at www.aurorakidsidol.com. For more information, call 720-277-3205.

News

- The Aurora Sentinel has a story about an alleged tussle that councilwoman Markert may have gotten into at Smoky Hill High School.

- The Denver Post has a story about three days of race forums going on with the police department that will be closed to the public.

-And finally, here's a story from TheDenverChannel.com about some employees at the Aurora Police Department complaining of mold-related health problems.

Have a nice weekend!