Today's Democrat & Chronicle contained an editorial regarding the County budget and Maggie Brook's options for solving the deficit given the defeat of her F.A.I.R. plan solution.
The D&C editorialists called for "bold solutions" and "seeking consensus". Consensus is code for doing what the County Democrats want; namely: have Maggie raise property taxes so that they can take power after disgruntled taxpayers vote out the GOP Legislature. Its truly funny that they pretend that a reassessment of the Morin-Ryan deal is possible.
There is little doubt that the deal should be revisited. There is even less doubt, however, that David Gantt and Assembly Democrats will never allow any revision. Lets not forget, it was Gantt and Co. who announced Maggie's effort to get an increase in the sales tax "dead on arrival". No, Mr. Gantt and the Democrats will block any effort to close the budget deficit that does not include property tax increases, since that is the Dem's route to a Leg. majority. I am quite tired of the fact that the D&C and the Dems criticise Brooks and the GOP for partisanship while ignoring the political efforts of Democrat politicians.
I am also tired of the D&C repeated blather regarding government consolidation as the panacea for our fiscal problems. These pundits claim without evidence that consolidation will save us money but they never speak of the other side of the equation which is the reductions in service which will go hand-in-hand with consolidation. If taxpayers get an opportunity to vote on consolidation with full disclosure about costs and service, I'm not sure local government consolidation would be accepted.
Moreover, that approach has it backward, in my mind. The real culprit in New York regarding high taxes is the State government. On average, local government taxes are less than a third of your state and local tax bill. Yet, I would bet that over two thirds of our most vital services are provided by local government. I want reform in Albany before someone tries to take away my town police department.
The D&C editorial board is sure it knows best, however, since local government consolidation has been their horse for a very long time and they mean to ride it as long as possible.
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4 comments:
I think we should consolidate where we can.
If that means some form of "metro" government - provided that people can get their basic services and needs met - fine.
Lee:
Good to hear from you. The Gates Blog is not the same without you.
Re the post:
I am sure there are some logical consolidations, but you hit the nail on the head regarding the real issue here; namely: taxpayer's needs and service levels. The proponents of "metro" speak only about the alleged savings (which, I'll believe when I see them). They never discuss the fact that consolidation must inevitably result in reduced levels of service.
This is my biggest gripe with consolidation "experts". They work under the assumption that local government services are duplicative and wasteful. Police and fire services are the usual targets.
In Gates, we have 4-5 cars on patrol 24/7. Under a metro system, we will be lucky to have 1 or 2 cars per shift. If Gates taxpayers are given the choice of keeping current police services or saving the costs by going metro, and the full implications are known to them, I'm not sure they would agree to metro.
The D&C's arguments only speak to the alleged cost savings. The debate is one we should have, but lets have the full debate. Further, I will continue to argue that it is the State government that is most wasteful and is the real engine for over-taxation, not local governments.
Anyway, drop by more often. I can always use intelligent comment here. I'd enjoy getting your take on things from time to time. Are you posting regularly somewhere, or do you just "surf the web"?
Repoman:
Permit me to share a few thoughts on a topic not related to this post...
Reverend Wright - in his speeches- I certainly would not dignify his rantings with the word sermons- was wrong in this regard- He is spending his energy - judging, blaming and pointing the finger at the larger US society for the failure of many blacks to thrive in this country. His anger and judgement is pointed outward- away from the responsibility that blacks themselves have in creating and perpetulating their failures.
Likewise, many whites are outraged at his comments. They point their finger at him and the black community and say, No wonder we can't get along - look at their hatred and venom for us. The same mistake is being made- pointing the finger outward rather than asking what have we done ( the larger US society) to create and perpetulate the failure of blacks to thrive. Have we done anything that has worked to destroy the black family. Have our policies -set with good intentions to assist, in fact harmed, black families? What role can we play in getting black men in particular hooked up with jobs. (25% unemployment among 18-35 year old black males.) What can we do to lower the prison population of blacks in this country?.
The bottom line is this: Senator Obama is half black and half white. Who does he point his finger at? Clearly there is no one. He demonstates this fact- anytime we point our finger at someone else, there are three(3) fingers pointing back at ourselves. I urge blacks to go past blame and to look to themselves for why these problems
exist within their community. I say to whites, Enough with the indignation, lets look at ourselves to see what role we have played - good intentions or not- in having been a part in creating the horrendous conditions in which so many blacks live. Enough blame- enough accusations. The bell is tolling for each of us and for our country- a country that all of us - black and white love.
Finally- for those who support the Iraq war or those who are against it as being the wrong policy- let us all remember that black and white soldiers- Americans all- are in battle for this country. They are putting their lives on the line and demonstrating how blacks and whites can work together. We, our candidates and our media - owe it to these men and women to disuss race relations with each other not as opponents - but as fellow countrymen looking to build the future.
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