Not only is a little bit of information dangerous, it can be embarrassing too. Mark Snyder writes: ""I found this hard to believe so I looked up the actual property tax rates in the state statutes."
Good sleuthing Mark, but it's only a tiny piece of the property tax calculation in Minneapolis. A better source for you would be the Minneapolis Tax Assessor's office. They will actually E-mail to you the spread sheets so that you can see the calculations for yourself. Of course you'll need to learn about the "tax capacity" calculation with fifty different "classifications", etc. You will find that my numbers are correct; I would never risk my credibility by making an arithmetic mistake. Snyder: "It's worth noting again that the property tax rates are set by the state,not the city." Heller: Someone should tell Mayor Rybak so he won't keep capping the increases at 8% annually. Synder: "Additionally, what Vicky continues to conveniently overlook is how much harder it's become to fix the problems of the SSB/Cherryhomes regime because her beloved GOP "leaders" continue to shirk their responsibilities and push them off onto the cities and counties to absorb." Heller: I don't think math has a political party designation, though I do think Republicans are slightly better at it. Heller: Please explain the State's "responsibility" to pay Minneapolis' bills. I thought Minneapolis is the great financial engine of the State - spewing forth cash for everyone else. Did you know that only 15% of the budget in Minneapolis comes from plain old property taxes? In fact, "other income" is 18%. Here's an arithmetic quiz: The total budget is $1.2 billion. How many million is "other income"? Snyder: "Let's play a word game and rephrase: If you don't like [affordable housing developments], you don't have to [live] there, but don't force your prejudices upon others." Heller: Wrong again Mark. I am a big fan of affordable housing - too bad Minneapolis hasn't produced any. You are confused about my criticism of real estate developers who rip off the Minneapolis taxpayers to build expensive housing while the City Council looks the other way. Snyder: "Why is it OK to be prejudiced about certain kinds of housing developments but not certain kinds of commercial developments? Heller: Missed the point again Mark. It's the publicly financed projects that I monitor, which might be a good use of your time too (not while you're supposed to be working of course.) Privately financed projects are none of my business, or anyone else's. Vicky Heller North Oaks and Cedar-Riverside "Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." -- John Adams (1735-1826) Founding Father, 2nd US President REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ 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
