Can I take my taxes as a charitable deduction?

Over the past four years University City resident's taxes skyrocketed. Now it appears that "donations" to our Zoo and Museums were not exactly voluntary and did create hardship.

From the St.Louis usiness Journal:

Visitors to the Saint Louis Zoo can now visit the Insectarium's butterflies, Peruvian fire sticks and ladybugs for free. A giant model dinosaur is getting a new lining at the Saint Louis Science Center. Other upgrades, maintenance projects and educational programs are under way at the Saint Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum and the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Thank St. Louis city and County residents for them. These improvements are due in part to larger property tax contributions made to the five member institutions within the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District (ZMD). District revenue increased 8 percent from $62.2 million in 2004 to $67.3 million last year. That followed a 19 percent tax revenue gain of $10 million in 2004 over 2003, according to ZMD financial statements.