Kathy,
Your post raises a couple of questions: First of all, how do we define 'nonessential services?' I doubt that those of us who are subscribers would all agree on a definition--much less the state at large. Secondly, if I can dedicate a portion of my tax dollars towards certain services which I morally support, can I also with hold my tax dollars from those services that I morally oppose?
Some of what makes me uncomfortable is that causes that are not cute enough or high enough on our radar will suffer from lack of funding, despite genuine need and benefit to society. And, of course, continuity in programs is dependent upon continuity in funding. Too often we don't realize that a program is cut until the cut is put into effect. It is much less efficient and much more expensive to have to solicit funds to restore cuts, or to restore services than it is to maintain quality programs through predictable funding. I know that one of the on going problems of school districts in MN is that funding changes from year to year---according to student populations, yes, but also according to how well a particular school district fits into targeted categories that may shift from year to year. I am amazed at how well school districts do in designing budgets, given the constraints they are under. I am mentioning school districts only because I have more familiarity with the funding process/problems faced by districts than I do with funding for cities and counties. I am certain that cities and counties face similar problems. However, if property taxes are the basis for funding, the funding tends to remain stable from year to year and budget cycle to budget cycle---and isn't usually committed to this category of spending or that category as is the case when the state provides funding.
I like local control/local funding best--but we have to step up to the plate at the local level to make it work.
Terri Hyle
From: "Kathy Seifert" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Online Democracy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [Winona] budget cuts Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2003 23:04:40 -0500
[Winona Online Democracy]
Thanks for offering this post, Paul. It challenges me to confront my own
discomfort. I think it is because I don't have confidence in the State of
MN to spend that voluntary check on things that are important to me. It
makes me think that a portion of our state and local taxes should be open
for designation to the things that are important to us, much like we can
offer a portion of our tax return to support natural resources or can opt to
give an additional amount for critical habitat preservation when we register
our vehicles each year.
I suppose it could be an accounting nightmare (maybe Steve Hacken can
comment?!), but non-profits like United Way have been doing this for years.
Would it be possible for citizens to designate a portion of their tax
increase to, for example, 4H, WRC, or a general fund for the county to spend
as the Board sees fit? Would that make a tax increase easier to swallow if
people genuinely had some input as to what non-essential services they
wanted to be supported by their tax dollars? This would give more power to
the people and be truly democratic. It also might mean that some folks
might have to pay additional out of pocket expenses to maintain a program or
service. I've already seen this happen with ECFE Programming through
Community Ed. Classes that were once free to all with children birth to 5
are now charged a sliding fee based on family income and those with the
means are encouraged to offer an additional gift. (I state this knowing
I've been out of that loop for awhile--my youngest is almost 8! I invite
any corrections to what I've stated about ECFE).
Another thing that makes me uncomfortable is that I believe that many folks
simply don't have a value of philanthropy and will not share their wealth or
even a modest portion of their income with those less privileged unless they
are taxed. It's more a "we look out for our own" attitude that is, at best,
indifferent and, at worst, full of hatred and oppressive to those not
fitting into social "norms" or who are different.
Enough for today,
Kathy Seifert ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Double" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Online Democracy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2003 9:22 PM Subject: FW: [Winona] budget cuts
> [Winona Online Democracy]
>
> Maybe those who want the signs should have them reprinted "I have sent
> my check to "Happy to Pay for a Better Minnesota" P.O. Box xxxx
> Somewhere, Minnesota 12345 Will you join me?
>
> That way others who feel moved the same way know where to send their
> checks.
>
> Paul Double
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
> Behalf Of Sharon Ropes
> Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2003 11:02 AM
>
> Hi Scott,
> The "Happy to Pay for a Better Minnesota" lawn signs are from an
> organization at www.betterminnesota.org The closest local person to
> contact
> about yard signs is Marta Bollesen in Rochester. Her phone number is
> 507-259-3081.
> Better Minnesota is a progressive, grassroots organization promoting
> healthy families, exceptional schools, strong cities, clean lakes and
> thriving businesses. They support the "we're all in this together"
> philosophy of taxes that Kathy, Vicki and Craig have been explaining.
> You will see that the Better Minnesota homepage features a quote
> from
> former Minnesota Governor Elmer Anderson. The quote reads, "Taxes
> are
> the way people join hands to get good things done. That's the tradition
> of
> Minnesota."
> Anderson is a revered, longtime Republican leader who recently spoke
> out
> against the Pawlenty "no-tax" solution for solving the budget crisis.
> Sharon Erickson Ropes
>
>
>
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>
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