[Mpls] Local Government Aid

[Delcalzojan]

The conversations about the relative "wealth" of Minneapolis as measured by its value of real estate versus the total in the state and the number of people in Minneapolis as a proportion of the state's total population are interesting, but don't tell the whole story.

When I worked or the City Council 10-15 years ago, the Government Affairs folks put together some wonderful statistics that pointed out the Minneapolis "overburden."  That was defined as those services the City provided to other jurisdictions (such as the chain of lakes parks, the educational and cultural opportunities), but also cost the City huge amounts.  Then there were the half way houses and group homes whose residents were not native Minneapolitans, but rather came to the facilities because there were none in their home communities.  And then there were the sets of people who needed immense help - single parents, poor, homeless, immigrants - to make their way. 

The City's property taxes will simply be overwhelmed if there is no help from the state to deal with these very real situations.  What every happened to:  "From each according to his ability; to each according to his needs."

The only fair approach is a progressive income tax at the state level apportioned out to meet needs where-ever they are.  I'm sure there would be a great clamoring if Minneapolis started talking about keeping all the sales tax receipts generated in the City for itself and not sending them off to the state.

Jan Del Calzo
Lynnhurst