Hands in your wallets

"When it comes to new taxes, Mayor David Miller told the business community very simply on Wednesday: "Don't be afraid."

Be very afraid.

And homeowners, that goes for you, too.

Unless Miller -- and his Harvard economics education -- knows where the magical pot of gold is buried, the city is headed toward tax torture -- user fees, property tax hikes and, of course, new "revenue tools" that could kick in this summer. There's a $71-million budget hole this year that must be filled, even after the city nearly empties its reserve funds. Next year? You don't want to know".