Should I vote for a sales tax increase?

[Kimera757]

I’m generally against sales tax increases, as that’s a regressive tax, but…

Too many cities overly rely on property taxes. State laws might prevent them from raising money in different ways. The same issue is in Canada. In Ontario, the provincial government recently allowed cities to create an empty homes tax (the city could not have written such a law themselves) and would not allow cities to use tolls (breaking a province to a mayor to allow exactly that).

[Channing_Idaho_Banks]

My father taught me to never vote for a tax.

[Flyer]

@harmonicamoon

When was the last time you saw a sales tax decrease?

It happens fairly frequently here in Colorado. Of course we have unique laws that give us much more control over governmental finances than people in other states have.

[Kimstu]

@Channing_Idaho_Banks

My father taught me to never vote for a tax.

But this is a thread about intelligent weighing of pros and cons of real-life specific tax situations by realistic grownups who understand that government revenue has to come from somewhere. Knee-jerk, unthinkingly absolutist anti-tax ideologies are kind of beside the point.

[Bettor_Man]

@Iggy

I would want to know what sort of infrastructure spending they are proposing. Is it something that really needs to be done but has been put off due to lack of funds? Or is this going to end up as some sort of accounting trick and nothing will get done infrastructure wise?

And I would consider that any infrastructure upgrade is unlikely to benefit me. Improvements to roads or buildings take a lot of time and would be more of a detriment to current users, in the form of construction, and would only truly benefit future generations. Do I want to give up money now so that people I don’t know or haven’t been born yet can be more comfortable? A personal question, of course. I guess if you had children it would be an easier decision.

[Bettor_Man]

@Channing_Idaho_Banks

My father taught me to never vote for a tax.

Uh huh. Did he also teach you how we pay our armed service members, build and repair roads, fund education, stand up a police force, etc…etc…?

[Kimstu]

@Bettor_Man

And I would consider that any infrastructure upgrade is unlikely to benefit me. Improvements to roads or buildings take a lot of time and would be more of a detriment to current users, in the form of construction, and would only truly benefit future generations.

Future generations? How long does it take to repair a road in your neck of the woods? (Or alternatively, how long is the generational lifecycle in your species?)

Hell, my state has managed to build a replacement for a major commuter bridge, along with other significant infrastructure projects, in what is shaping up to be something under five years. And we’re not exactly leading the nation in efficiency of the public works department, at that.

[Bettor_Man]

@Kimstu

Future generations? How long does it take to repair a road in your neck of the woods? (Or alternatively, how long is the generational lifecycle in your species?)

Hell, my state has managed to build a replacement for a major commuter bridge, along with other significant infrastructure projects, in what is shaping up to be something under five years. And we’re not exactly leading the nation in efficiency of the public works department, at that.

Ha, I guess I’m speaking from a selfish position, in which I realize I’m nearer the end than the beginning (Bridge on the River Kwai), and know the fruits I plant now will not be harvested by me. In my experience (neck of the woods), even seemingly simple road repairs have taken years (even decades!) to complete. Of course if you’re 20, you (may) see the end, but at my age, it is unlikely. I don’t speak for everyone, of course.

[kaylasdad99]

@Channing_Idaho_Banks

My father taught me to never vote for a tax.

@Kimstu

But this is a thread about intelligent weighing of pros and cons of real-life specific tax situations by realistic grownups who understand that government revenue has to come from somewhere. Knee-jerk, unthinkingly absolutist anti-tax ideologies are kind of beside the point.

In some places, they’re what put us into the position where we have to re-learn how to BE realistic grown-ups.

[iamthewalrus_3]

@harmonicamoon

I assume they have detailed specifically where the revenue will be spent. What projects and their amounts.

If you agree that these need to be done, the answer is easy.

They have listed some specific things. I’m honestly not sure how I’d know. There was a video where a city engineer said that if we don’t spend more on road maintenance now, we’re going to have to spend a lot more in the future. Which makes sense to me. On the other hand, six months ago they pulled up all the asphalt and completely repaved the roads in my neighborhood, and as far as I could tell, the roads were fine before. Like, there weren’t obvious potholes or things that made me think they were in disrepair. But, then, I’m not a road engineer, so how would I know?

The sad idea behind it, is once the work is completed, they tend to get hooked on the increase. Yes, just like a junkie.

This tax increase is permanent (or, at least, has no specified end date)

When was the last time you saw a sales tax decrease?

A few years ago, there was a temporary increase that expired. Whether you count that as a tax decrease seems to depend on your frame of reference, but the rate did go down

After consideration, I voted for the tax increase. Thank you to everyone for your thoughtful comments. Go Democracy!

[hajario]

It looks like the new tax passed 56% - 44%.