[Winona Online Democracy] Hello Craig and Winona Online Democracy,
I strongly agree with Craig's points. Especially the phrase below that says, "It will expand on the momentum to take away from the poor to benefit the rich." That is a tale that is as old as time. I too wish we had a more fair and progressive local way to raise revenue. The Pawlenty Property Tax increases are the worst way to raise revenue. Property taxes hit low income, people on fixed incomes, and average working people the hardest. What might such a local progressive revenue source look like? Dwayne Voegeli ===================== >Delivered-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >From: "Craig Brooks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: "On Line Democracy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: Re: [Winona] City to raise your energy tax 25% >[Winona Online Democracy] > >I agree that the City and the media need to be clear on what this increase >will mean in dollars to the citizens. >I would be bothered by government sneaking in a tax or fee without full >disclosure and public input. If this energy fee is what it seems to be, I >am not surprised the Mayor wasn't too upset with the State LGA cuts. Not >all levels of government have such access to added fees and sales taxes. >There is an aspect of this that is too much like property taxes in that it >can hit those least able to pay. Electricity and natural gas are >necessities. They are consumed, in part, to produce heat for the home. >An older home is more likely to take more energy to heat. An older home, >without energy saving upgrades, is more likely to be lived in by low >income and fixed income individuals and families. That makes them forced >to pay a fee at a higher rate than others more able to pay. I wish there >was a way for local government in Minnesota to have a local income tax or >for these new kind of fees to have a provision for a reduction applied to >low income persons. Given what the Legislature and the Governor just did >to low income citizens, this energy tax increase will just hit them more. >It will expand on the momentum to take away from the poor to benefit the >rich. >Craig Brooks > >_______________________________________________ >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 >mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at > http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org > _______________________________________________ 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 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
