[Winona Online Democracy]
Title: Re: [Winona] Property Taxes Over Last Four Years: Star Tribune Article
More or less I agree with with Paul, though investments in projects that infuse effort into an idea often percolates to even more energy. The Bearfest of Belfast, Maine is an example where small government initiative grant monies were awarded – to increase tourism. From that the Bearfest was born. Now a few years later Belfast Maine see an average of 26% increase in business during the Bearfest – creating jobs and economic activity.
Similarly – if this argument is to be carried on – should businesses be given tax break to afford needs and wants? Tax breaks to companies like Wal-Mart – who are subsidized with nice roads, sewer services, tax relief only to import 80% of their product coming from China and hiring a million workers in America to work for no or little health care, poor pay and tremendous social welfare costs. Guess who pays for Walmarts health care needs? The taxpayer – since many of these employees are not insured or are not afforded insurance if their partner happens to work for a company that offers a better plan. Look at the state of West Virginia – Wal-Mart is one of the biggest tax burdens carried by those citizens.
This is just one example – and if I had more time I would imagine other companies and some very close to home enjoy tremendous in-direct or direct subsidies. I rarely use the road built down by Fastenal – yet this company uses it more than others - by far. Are we arguing then – that companies or businesses like Signatures, or Menards should retroactively pay for the sewer lines or the dredging of Lake Winona?
Kelly
On 10/18/06 9:24 AM, "Paul Double" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
[Winona Online Democracy]
It is easy for me to see why many would like to mix the term fees and taxes. If government would constrain themselves to those essential public services which we collectively we all need and can acquire for less cost than if they were purchased in the open market. These items should be funded by property taxes since property is the beneficiary. Those items which are fluff, or nice but not essential, should be paid for with fees collected from those who receive value and use the service and should pay for it. (Fees)
The idea that government should supply every service and fill every need for every whim that someone thinks is important is foolish. Those who believe in always wanting to expand the roll of government reject what has made this country great. The opportunity for people to achieve more as a reward for their labor is fundamental to the success of our country producing leaders in innovation and technology. If government is to provide all paid by a tax on all then can we expect our work week to expand to 60 or 80 hours per weeks or will we follow a European failing model which devalues work and is why they are becoming irrelevant in the world.
Keep property taxes for Police, Fire, Sewer and Water, Streets and let the fluff be fees. I know of no person who wanted to really participate in something that didn't have the opportunity to do so by working for it. When we start spending public funds for the likes of Blue Herons then we must think property taxes are too low and that LGA is to high!
Paul Double
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kelly Herold
Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2006 7:53 AM
To: LindaF; E Democracy
Subject: Re: [Winona] Property Taxes Over Last Four Years: Star Tribune Article
Cost of living and inflation eat up many of our taxes – but to be honest the tax breaks given to the top 1% of our citizenship is the price we all pay.
In Minnesota alone around 25,000 folks making 300,000 or more have realized an overall tax decrease while those in the shrinking middle class have seen a tax increase.
The fee based initiatives also shift much of the tax burden to the middle class.
When CEO are retiring with 100+ million packages and other compensation sweatheart deals the middle class continues to work itself to death.
Some would argue that the super rich create jobs and I agree. But the overall job creation, are over the past decade, undeniably moving towards less paying, low benefit service jobs. The productivity realize by industry can be attributed to mainly two things – increased hours of current workers and shipping jobs overseas.
As a result – the shared cost of sky rocketing health care, inflated housing, and unfair tax burden continues to
erode the back bone of America, Minnesota and small communities like Winona.
Kelly
On 10/18/06 6:47 AM, "LindaF" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
[Winona Online Democracy]
While I don't doubt your numbers are correct I don't think you are comparing apples to apples.
My daughter and son in law live in Onalaska. I am going to look at her tax statement the next time I am at her house. I believe they are paying higher taxes in Wisconsin because more is taken out of that fund for various projects than in Minnesota.
Linda Fort
[Winona Online Democracy]
While I know that residential property taxes have gone up, especially last year with the school referendum, please keep in mind that homestead property taxes in Minnesota are less than half on a comparably valued home in LaCrosse. I checked the LaCrosse County web site this morning and a house valued at $183,000 had taxes of $4,700. A house in Winona at that value carried a 2006 property tax of just less than $2,000.
My point--While the increases sure seem to be a bad trend, it could always be worse.
Stephen Hacken
Winona County Assessor
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