The parish we live in is pretty big. It includes Baton Rouge, along with many other cities. One of the things we voted on was a tax increase for some construction in Baton Rouge. This included needed things like bridge/road work and then extra things like parking and revitalizing Baton Rouge.
They did not get the tax increase, it was voted against. Yesterday morning I heard them saying it was probably because of the outlying cities in the parish (like us) who did not feel they would benefit from the tax increase - we would just end up paying lots of money.
That is my opinion. How do I benefit from my taxes getting hiked for 30 years so they can make Baton Rouge prettier and more accessible. I am not saying there are no benefits, I just think this is the best way to do it.
Last night, the mayor was on tv, upset that the tax did not pass and saying he would find a way to get the money. He was saying that the outlying places that voted no can think they won't benefit, but "when their family or friends is on one of the bridges that collapses because we did not get the tax to fund fixing it" they will understand how this affects them.
First off, seems like an awfully brave statement for a MAYOR to make. To blame the citizens for NOT voting for a tax increase (which includes a LOT more than road/bridge work) which CAUSED bridges to collapse with their family members or friends on it.
Doesn't it seem as though if we have bridges in that bad of shape, somehow that needs to be fixed immediately? And didn't he just open the door for lawsuits, admitting that we have bridges that are in poor shape that people drive on daily?
If they really need a tax increase for BRIDGE/ROAD work, then that should not have been combined with a tax for "fun" things like renovating buildings and adding parking? They need to do two seperate tax increase proposals. I guarantee I would be more likely to vote for an increase in taxes to fix roads/bridges than I would be to help a city 35 minutes away from me look better!
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