Although students might feel the city’s 2 percent tax increase (from 7 to 9 percent) on restaurant, bar and liquor store sales affect them more than other DeKalb residents, the end result is better services for students.

NIU students make up 35 percent of the sales for DeKalb city restaurants, bars and liquor stores. Does this make it a tax on students? No. That would be like saying it is a tax on non-students because they make up 65 percent of the sales for restaurants, bars and liquor stores.

The city will be losing money within the next year when food, drug and car sales tax are removed from the city revenue. In order to improve services within the city, revenue is needed. Where should that come from? Sixth Ward Alderman Jaimie Pennington said it best when he said, “It’s better to tax luxuries than necessities.”

Without the additional revenue, service improvements such as snow removal and construction on areas like Lucinda Avenue and Lincoln Highway would not be possible.

Besides, what intoxicated student is going to complain after the fifth beer about an additional two or three cents for each drink. On the other hand, what student wouldn’t complain about walking through three feet of snow and potholes?

As college students, we are about to enter the nightmare known as the “real world” and no one ever said we could get something for nothing. It’s about time we were prepared.