Nick Frank wrote: I briefly looked at the Citizens League report and it doesn't appear it includes fees (ie taxes by another name). Does anyone have an idea on what happens to St.Paul's ranking when you add in the fees, which they rely on to a greater extent than Minneapolis?
Mark Anderson replies: Fees are not the same as taxes. Not all payments to the government are created equal. One pays a fee to the government when one desires a service from the government, and is willing to pay to have this service performed. Hopefully the fees paid for the service cover the cost of the government to provide those services. On the other hand, taxes go to the general fund and pays for whatever some governmental person decides is important. This is a whole different kind of payment. I believe the purpose of government is twofold: 1) To provide those public goods and services that cannot be efficiently provided by the private market, and 2) To provide for those who cannot provide for themselves, i.e., charity. These are both worthwhile goals, but should be managed completely differently. I think we should charge fees for government goods and services provided under the first purpose, whenever it is practical. Free goods and services are usually over-consumed, and otherwise misallocated to the public. I celebrate St. Paul's effort to escalate the use of fees in government. Admittedly, just because the government calls something a fee doesn't mean that it is one. But I haven't heard that St. Paul is abusing the use of the word. Just another indication of the more effective government across the river. Many times it isn't practical to charge a fee for services. The entire public benefits when the government enforces laws against polluting the air. We all benefit when the police reduce the level of crime on the streets. In both those cases, it would be very hard to charge a fee. But I remember when someone complained on this List about having to pay for using a public ambulance. I thoroughly disagree; I think it makes more sense for those who use the services to pay for them, than for everyone to cover the costs. If the recipient of the services can't pay; well, that's what charity is for. Mark V Anderson Bancroft 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
