[Winona Online Democracy] Hello Paul and Others,
Paul, you suggested that every unit of government should look at ways that unfunded mandates could be eliminated. Please rest assured that the idea is being done at the State and local level. You also suggested that, "proactive ways to reduce or freeze the cost of government [should] supercede the local summit agenda on how to get or keep more of the taxpayers money?" The local government summit idea is just one of the many things that local elected officials are doing. It's an attempt to deal with a huge problem in possibly new and creative ways. On another note, considering the size of this budget deficit, do you think the budget can be balanced without raising some kinds of taxes? I know many Republican leaders didn't sign the no new tax pledge. What are your thoughts on that issue? A second and related question, if the State Legislature passes the buck and forces local units of government to raise local taxes to provide essential services to community members and to provide for future economic growth, do you think the no new tax pledge will have been kept? I am a nice person who is willing to make tough decisions. But I am also a thinking person who realizes that government plays positive roles in our social and economic lives. I also realize that government is not "them", it's us. Dwayne Voegeli =================== >Delivered-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >From: "Paul Double" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: "Online Democracy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: FW: [Winona] Savings Information Request to local public bodies > >[Winona Online Democracy] > >Local elected leaders are part of the solution. > >In the past almost every elected official has complained about state >mandates and the impact on their budgets. This maybe the golden opportunity >to get rid of the mandates to offset lower tax revenue or has the cost of >the mandates been a Trojan horse to throw out to the public as a way to >blame another body for increased taxes and fees. > >As part of this discussion and assuming past statements have supporting >facts what at the "five" top cost state mandates in "each unit of >government" that they would recommend be eliminated and what would be the >resulting annual savings be assuming the Governor and Legislature would >approve elimination? > >Shouldn't proactive ways to reduce or freeze the cost of government >supercede the local summit agenda on how to get or keep more of the >taxpayers money? > >Could it be the job is too tough for nice people to handle? > >Paul B. Double >[EMAIL PROTECTED] >____________________________________________________________________________ >_ >An off line question was asked about excessive pay for corporate heads and a >freeze for them --- > >Leaders, lead by example and the idea of those leading setting an example >Would be good. Instead of a freeze excessive corporate salaries should >be rolled back 5-10 % resulting in higher income taxes being paid by >their employing corporations. > >Increased corporate profits should increase dividends for pension fund >investors, individual investor dividend income and should also increases >the value of their stock. While the tax collections may not yield >increases (the corporate executive goes down, the corporation taxes go >up, the pension fund is exempt and the increase stock value yields >nothing until sold). > >The leadership model they would provide would reinforce the idea that >controlling >cost is as important and sometimes more important than as increasing >sales or taxes. The reward for their co-workers is stable employment as >well as >providing their boss, the owners(stockholders) with a return on the >capital that exceeds the risk afforded by parking their investments in >Government Bonds, Bank CD's or stuffing it under the mattress. > >Paul Double >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >____________________________________________________________________________ >____________________ > >>A. How much money would be saved by each local unit of government if a >>salary freeze were implemented by the state for one year? >> >>B. If my memory serves me right, each one percent represents in WAPS >>about $160,000 >> Assuming state aide to K-12 education stays the same what would that >>do the cash balances on hand one year later? >> >>C. Also the same question is asked for WSU and SE Technical and if frozen >>would there be any need for tuition increases? >> >> >>Paul Double >>[EMAIL PROTECTED] >> > >__________________________________________________________________ >The NEW Netscape 7.0 browser is now available. Upgrade now! >http://channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/download.jsp > >Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today at >http://webmail.netscape.com/ > >_______________________________________________ >This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy >All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. >No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. >To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit >http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona >Any problems or suggestions can be directed to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
