Louisville's Water Works likes unsweet tea

On Dec. 16, 1773, colonists boarded ships in Boston Harbor, throwing chests of tea overboard in protest of taxation without representation.

How quickly we forget.

Last week, Louisville's Board of Water Works slipped a 3.75 percent tax increase into its 2011 budget-- and in doing so bypassed the elected representatives of the people.

So Louisville, do you like your tea sweet or unsweet?

Louisville's Water Works is run by a private corporation, giving it the power to raise its rates without consulting the Louisville Metro Council or any other elected body. But the corporation's stock is solely owned by the Metro government, meaning the city reaps the benefits of all profits made. It's taxation without representation at it's finest, uh ... worst.

For the average customer, the increase will only amount in about $10 extra per year, so it will likely go unnoticed by most.

But there are some taking notice. While you may not see any tea thrown into the Ohio River in the near future, you can bet that this will not be the last word on the Louisville board's actions.