HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CUT TAX PROPOSAL IN HALF

     Hamilton County, OH, commissioners have cut in half a
proposal to raise the sales tax in an attempt to make it more
"palatable" for voters, according to the CINCINNATI ENQUIRER.  A
one-cent on the dollar tax increase was proposed in June to help
finance new stadiums for the Bengals and Reds, and help with
infrastructure improvements in Cincinnati.  Now, voters will be
consider a half-cent on the dollar tax increase on the March
ballot which will contribute $35M a year toward stadium
construction and $15M toward property tax relief for homeowners.
A second half-cent initiative -- additional property tax relief
and for prison improvements -- will be voted on during a November
ballot (Michaud & Goldberg, CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 1/5).