>Lynell talked about the hard time at the legislature for
>Minneapolis schools. One of the things that seems more and
>more puzzling to me is how TIF financing seems to be tied to
>our school resources. I've heard a number of comments out
>here in exurbia about how schools are having to dismantle
>programs because TIF financing is depriving schools of their
>fare share of tax base. Is this happening in Minneapolis
>too and come anyone explain this to me?
>
>Russ Peterson
>
>former Standishite
I think what people are referring to is that a couple of years
back, the Legislature passed some changes to tax policy that, in effect,
cause any tax increases voted in by referendum (like the Minneapolis
Schools referendum to increase taxes to pay for smaller class sizes) to
apply only to residential property, not to commercial property. (This is
a rough generalization of it -- former Senator Carol Flynn can explain it
in more detail if you want specific details.)
So then elected officials, bombarded by the constant conservative
opposition to taxes, avoid the difficult task of raising taxes to fund
needed improvements, instead turning to referendums. And these referendums
pass, because the public recognizes the need to invest in these needed
facilities. But because of this change in tax policy, the self-imposed
higher taxes from these referendums fall mainly on residential homeowners,
rather than on commercial property.
The net result -- a shift in the tax burden: away from commercial
property and onto the residential homeowner.
Tim Bonham, 12th Ward
_______________________________________
Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy
Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more:
http://e-democracy.org/mpls
