New Jersey residents could soon be hit with what Republicans are calling a "rain tax," if Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy signs newly passed legislation.

The bill, approved by the New Jersey Assembly and the Senate, would allow municipalities to create utilities that can collect fees from homeowners and business owners that have large paved surfaces, like driveways and parking lots. During storms, rainwater mixes with pollutants on those surfaces before running into sewers and drains. The funding from the fees could be used for upgrades to reduce the impact on the environment.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/new-jersey-residents-may-be-hit-with-rain-tax

Just think of that, Lenoir City officials, supposedly republican, passed a Rain Tax before the democrats in New Jersey did. I guess that says a lot about their real beliefs.

We're still waiting on re-elected councilman, Buddy Hines, to call for a review of the Rain Tax as he promised he would in his robocall before the election. Still waiting on new councilman, James Brandon who ran against the Rain tax, to bring up a vote to repeal. Still waiting on councilman Bobby Johnson Sr., who was the only vote against the Rain Tax when it was passed, to bring it up for another vote. Still waiting on councilwoman, Jennifer Wampler, who has been so apologetic to her friends and fellow Lenoir City business owners, that she had no choice but to vote for the tax but now knows that wasn't the truth, to bring up the Rain Tax for a repeal vote.

Here we all are, just waiting on the council to do the right thing by those they represent.