Carol Becker wrote: "The real truth is that over the last 10 years or so, there has been a substantial shift of tax burden off businesses, rental property, and wealthy people and onto the average income citizen through the normal regular tax systems. "
Vicky Heller responds: You are correct Carol. For decades, businesses willingly subsidized residents and everyone was happy. But when the City of Minneapolis started giving millions and millions of dollars to "certain" businesses, the delicate balance between payers and beneficiaries was disrupted. The Minnesota legislature understands, and Minneapolis is beginning to find out that, in order to flourish, we needs lots of successful businesses willing and able to pay off our debts, pay the ongoing costs of government, and create jobs to attract more residents thus broadening the tax base. If a city cannot attract enough businesses, its current residents will have to pay a greater and greater share of the burden. To attract new residents who will share the burden, new jobs must be created, which requires new and/or growing businesses. Alternatively, you could form a city where only rich retired people live - people who can afford to pay for whatever services they want (i.e. Boca Raton, Florida.) Minneapolis is actually moving in that direction. Some call it gentrification, but Minneapolis has spent itself into the position of HAVING to find rich people and/or businesses who can pay a bunch of very big bills. How does a city attract businesses, jobs, people? It's very simple: Low taxes, safe streets, good schools. St. Cloud is using this formula to grow by leaps and bounds. How does a city drive away businesses, jobs, people? High taxes, high crime, failing schools. You can accelerate the process by subsidizing "favored" businesses, squandering public money to buy votes (residents vote, businesses do not) and fostering an anti-business attitude. Businesses that cannot attract enough customers who are willing to pay for its goods and services are supposed to fail. The same is true for cities. Submitted by: Vicky Heller North Oaks Cedar-Riverside Property Owner _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
