[Winona Online Democracy] It's a great article.
A article that shows something rare these days in state government, honesty and responsibility. No one likes to talk about taxes but being a leader should force you to be honest rather than pander. Taxes are the price of civilization. Let's be honest about it. Government is not all bad all the time. Local property taxes are the worst kind of tax to have to raise. It's the most regressive and hits people on fixed incomes the worst (i.e. senior citizens, farmers, et al). It's also telling that most former Republican governors were opposed to the simplistic "no new (state) taxes" pledge. Today's Winona Daily News also has a good story about the Goodview City Council meeting last night. Steve Sviggum and Steve Murphy were called to the carpet. It's about time. The article also quoted the Goodview Mayor who pointed out that 337 our of 344 school districts across the state have had to ask for local levies in order to make up for the state's shortfalls. Our district's problems are part of a much larger problem. In my opinion, some people, including some in our local media, take cheap shots at our School Board and don't see the larger picture. All these tax tricks are really just tax shifts. A former Republican wrote a compelling book that points out how the tax burden is being shifted from the super rich to the middle class. (George W. Bush--the best candidate money can buy.) ;-> Back to the state and local levels... I wish someone would do a story on the Taxpayer's League. They are a group with a lot of apparent power but who are they? No one I talk to seems to know, especially in the media. I've heard they are just a front group of a dozen or so ultra conservatives from the Metro area. But I've taken that with a grain of salt. Does anyone know? Dwayne Voegeli October 5, 2004 --------- >Date: Mon, 4 Oct 2004 09:07:41 -0500 >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >From: Randy Schenkat <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: [Winona] Taxation > >[Winona Online Democracy] > > I'd like to call WOD readers' attention to John Gunyou's guest >editorial in the WDN this morning. > >http://www.winonadailynews.com/articles/2004/10/04/opinion/00guestview04.txt > > >As a citizen who put lots of work into the last school district >referendum, and I have started working hard on the Learning Levy, I >appreciate Gunyou's comments. When over 80 districts this fall are >going out for levies there has to be something systemic in the way >funding works for schools that aren't allowing sufficient resources >to meet our educational challenges. What do others think of Gunyou's >arguments and observations? > >Randy Schenkat >-- >Randy Schenkat 1358 Skyline Dr. Winona, Mn 55987 507-452-7168 >_______________________________________________ >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 > ------------ Dwayne Voegeli Winona County Commissioner (507) 453-9012 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 359 Pleasant Hill Dr. Winona, MN 55987 ------------ _______________________________________________ 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
