Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] local ballot issues [Local Politics]

[Shawn Parker <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

crazy. i don't understand people's aversion to taxes when they can
mean better living conditions.

better streets and sidewalks. everyone cheers. until they find out
it's going to cost them a few cents more at the store. psssh.

i guess it's just me, but i'm willing to pay a little extra for better
streets, safer sidewalks, more sidewalks and a permanent farmers
market.

oh well.

On 11/8/05, Jonathan King <EMAIL:PROTECTED> wrote:
> So I just saw that results of the election today in Columbia.  Kind of
> a puzzler...
>
> # Columbia Proposition 1
> # -Extends 1/8 cent sales tax for parks for five years
> # Yes 7407
> # No 6528
>
> OK, so we like parks, more or less.
>
> # Columbia Proposition 2
> # -Extends 1/8 cent sales tax for ice rink/multipurpose building for two years
> # Yes 6095
> # No 7836
>
> So I thought this was an odd proposal, but I did kind of expect it to pass.
>
> # Columbia Proposition 3
> # -Extends 1/4 cent sales tax for public safety for three years
> # Yes 8910
> # No 4998
>
> Proposition 3 looked like (to me) a classic boondoggle if I ever saw one.
>
> # Columbia Proposition 4
> # -Extends 1/4 cent sales tax for streets and sidewalks for seven years
> # Yes 7013
> # No 6886
>
> That this almost went down just amazes me.  Does anybody really think
> the infrastructure fairy is going to wave a magic wand and give us
> better roads and sidewalks where we really need them?  But what's
> worse is this:
>
> # Columbia Proposition 5
> # -Adds a 1/8 cent sales tax for streets and sidewalks for 10 years
> # Yes 5434
> # No 8472
>
> Obviously, this went down because it was a proposed tax increase, and
> no other reason.  That said, since almost nobody is happy with the
> current road/sidewalks situation in town, I'm still trying to figure
> out where people think the money will come from.  It's evidently not
> legal for the city or county to try and tax gasoline, so what other
> revenue source do people think will suddenly appear?  Meanwhile:
>
> # Columbia Proposition 6
> # -Raises development charge for new construction from 10 cents to 50
> cents per square foot
> # Yes 8816
> # No 5039
>
> Ooh!  Ooh!  Let's get the developers to pay for it!  That's not a tax
> or anything, right?  Geesh.  I think you could make a reasonable case
> for raising these fees, but anybody who thinks this will obviate the
> need for more spending on roads is fooling themselves.  Like it or
> not, Columbia is now really close to the tipping point on traffic.  I
> was forced to run an errand betwen the campus today and Gerbes on
> Broadway today at 4:30.  That took just about an hour, including all
> of five minutes inside the store.  (Yes, I was stupid enough to think
> it would be faster driving than taking my bike.)  I was figuring this
> would take half an hour, tops.  This could the beginning of something
> really awful...
>
> jking
>
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--

- slp

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