I don’t often agree with the right wing boloney coming from Americans for Prosperity, but I do agree that raising another penny for municipalities is certainly a horrible idea. They have their reasons to oppose the tax increase, which are the usual choking of economic development, etc., etc. and just being opposed to taxes in general. My reasons are a little different, sales taxes are a regressive tax, and South Dakotan’s impoverished and middle class are already paying too much.
I can see why this will get broad support from both sides of the aisle in our state legislature. Democrats like extra tax money to spend on play things, this is why our mayor is just in love with the idea. Republicans in the state most likely support it, because any increase on sales taxes means a shift away from a corporate or income tax, something that scares the crap out of them.
Let’s face it, there are many things wrong with the proposal. First off, even if I supported the legislation, which I don’t, I would require a 60% majority for passage of the tax increase. I would also eliminate the ‘sunset’ clause, because let’s face it, they are just a myth sold to voters.
But I guess one of the reasons I vehemently oppose the tax increase, especially in Sioux Falls, is because we seem to have a bad habit already of spending our CIP 2nd Penny on playthings, I can’t imagine the out of control spending we would have for projects for the special interest groups if a 3rd penny ensued. You think indoor pools and tennis centers are an unneeded expense now, give the city another $100 million plus a year and you will see them on every corner.
We need responsible taxing, and this is where Americans for Prosperity and I disagree. We need to eliminate the sales taxes on food, clothing and utilities and we need to implement a corporate income tax to foster economic development, or even better yet fund indoor tennis facilities that 99.9% of us sales tax paying peeps will never use.
Besides, the CEOs and their children need something to do during the winter besides counting their frozen moldy money.
I agree, no new taxes. If we can afford sports palaces for the affluent, it’s unnecessary sloth. Show me better spending control with an absence of public funds fraud and I may reconsder.
Key at it not a tax that would be “imposed” on the people. Rather – it can ONLY be implemented by a direct vote of the people. If the people in a city want to pay more taxes – let them. To disallow is actually less democratic than to allow this.
WTF is up with the comment process on this site??? I typed: “Key to this is that it is not……” and the gobbledy gook above gets “published”; really. I checked it.
Ruf – Okay I will bite. But don’t you think a tax increase should require a 61% majority? And NO bullshit campaigns running up the election about how great and wonderful the tax increase would be?
The argus, in all their might, has already weighed in on this one.
http://www.argusleader.com/story/opinion/editorials/2015/02/25/editorial-cities-ability-raise-sales-tax/24017793/
Best laugh line? This one.
Local voters will ensure the sales tax increases are used properly and for projects that are deserving.
Local voters will decide? Since when? Our city council will decide. To be more exact, our mayor and five rubber stamps will decide.
ALL of Mark Cotters concerns should have been addressed before we decided to build play palaces for the city’s elite.
And….IF the argus were the true watchdog they claim to be, the east west corridors and tax dollar use would have been brought up by them instead of endorsing every one of these play palaces.
So, in light of the argus running a lead story and editorial on this, what is today’s opinion poll question?
Do you like or dislike nickel back music? WTF!!!!
How about a 3rd penny for a street tunnel from 26th & Kiwanis under the country clubs and river then ending at the 26th interchange along I-29?
Never happen. Huether would misappropriate the funds for some sort of indoor that should be outdoor sport.
Dan – Yes! Let’s dig a tunnel like in Boston. They estimated it at 2.8 billion but ended up costing 14.6 billion. I wonder if they had a “guaranteed maximum” price? We could always sell the naming rights to the newest money pit…I mean tunnel.