WM: I don't think so. Two big, noticable events--Ventura "giving back" the rainy day fund and Pawlenty's no rise in taxes led to the loss of LGA money, neither of which the city is responsible for, whether it was the last administration or the present one.
Second, the problems with library funding stem from the same source as fire and police funding--we spent too much money that we didn't really have in the 1990's. That's a City government problem, not a state funding problem.
Fully half of the annual property tax increases we're going to see (and the mayor admits that they are going to happen) are going to go toward paying off the debts incurred under the previous city administration. Things like Gavidae Commons, moving the theater, and lawsuit payouts.WM: Paying those debts was doable had there not been such deep LGA cuts and had Ventura not decided on tax rebates, etc.
Sviggum and Pawlenty are two of those, and they've made no secret of their position. What's more, the trend is toward them, not toward higher taxes. You can hate that, but it's the way it is, and we in Minneapolis need to find a way to operate our government in the light of that reality.WM: There was many a sign in Minneapolis yards saying something to the effect that "I'll pay more takes for quality of life." A recent study, reported on MPR just last week, showed that people come to MN and stay here based strongly on quality of life. It we have no parks, no libraries, no this, no that, then business will not come since employees like those quality of life amenities. In the corporate world it would appear, employees are a class of gypsies who move with companies or among them, so long as the places they go to have amenities.
I'm not at all sure that is the reality. When the full brunt of cuts on the national and state level hit home, we will know whether or not it's a trend or an aberation. Neither SSB or RT thought they were going to have to deal with the cost of a war or two.
WizardMarks, Central
________________________________
Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.)
________________________________
Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
