SOUTH BEND — Tea Party protesters were outside the St. Joseph County Courthouse Wednesday, and tempers flared about government spending and the local option income tax.

Protesters outside the county courthouse say they are overtaxed and low on cash.

Ron Hosinski was among the crowd, holding his sign high as tension spread and tempers flared.

"You don't spend more than you take in," said Hosinki. "I don't care if you are a family, a government, a mayor, a governor or president. You don't spend more than you make."

Hosinski and the mass of activists are concerned about issues nationally, but also government spending and taxes at the local level, including the proposed local option income tax (LOIT).

"The problem that we see with the St. Joseph County Council is when they run out of money, they add another tax to the people of St. Joseph County," said J. Kata, spokesperson for the Tea Party.

County leaders say they've done their share of belt-tightening and cutting.

County Council President Rafael Morton said St. Joseph County has worked to control 2009's $4 million deficit using rainy day funds and reductions.

However, budget issues aren't going anywhere in 2010. They're expected to get worse to the tune of $10 million.

County leaders are pinning the $10 million budget shortfall for 2010 on the property tax caps.

They say it's a loss that's impossible to deal with and one that is not going away.

Some leaders believe the LOIT will offset the projected deficit.

Fed up protesters, though, say the county's need for dollars doesn't make sense.

"In the middle of that economic slump, the only thing the St. Joseph County Council can do is add a local option tax to the people of St. Joseph County," said Kata. "It's absolutely insane."

"It'll always helped their bottom line, they're spending out the kazoo," said Hosinski. "If I ran my family that way I'd be bankrupt tomorrow."

So the protesters are taking a stand.

"People are speaking out against the decisions their leaders make and no one is being heard," said Kata.

When it comes to spending Hosinski hopes federal, state and local government gets his message spelled out on paper and verbally...

"It doesn't take a lot of math," said Hosinksi. "One and one is two, not 40."

Two out of the three government entities from South Bend, Mishawaka and St. Joseph County must approve the LOIT. And they have until the end of the month to do so for the funds to show up for the 2010 budget.