Nicholas Frank writes:
"Governor Pawlenty's budget plan illustrates his conservative view that local governmental units should be as self-sufficient as possible and bear their own costs of services."
Vicky Heller asks:
When did self-sufficiency become a "conservative" view? Does that mean that the "liberal" view is dependency?
Many states including Texas, Florida, Nevada, and others have NO INCOME TAX at all. I wonder how they survive.
Eric says: Well, a couple things I know about...
Texas - airport taxes and fees are in the 20-25% range. My $400 a week rental car was in the $550 range after fees and taxes. Also, if you look at what passes for 'affordable housing' in some cities (I have been in San Antonio and Austin and lots of little towns in between), they are little more than shacks with driveways.
Florida - you pay through the nose for everything else, especially water taxes. And this is a state that has 'lost' a significant number of kids in the child welfare system.
Conneticut - until a few years ago, had no state income tax - and some of the worst roads it has ever been my displeasure to travel. The interstates, funded federally, were the only decent roads in the state.
You always pay. It's just a matter of how you pay.
After living in NY for 20+ years, I KNOW how good we have it in MN as far as what you get for your tax dollar.
Eric Oines North Minneapolis
"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall - think of it, always."
~ Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948), Agitator
_________________________________________________________________
Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963
TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible.
________________________________
Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
