This new funding source is a new tax on developers and citizens of Houston, a tax proposed by City Councilman Stephen Costello, a staunch Republican, and his conservative engineers who will eventually profit from the contracts to repair the failing infrastructure. Let's just call this what it is, a tax increase. An increase proposed by conservatives. (Who would have thunk it?)It's a tax
Get over it. It comes with living in a society. Unfortunately the anti-tax crusaders, led by head quitter and former Tax Assessor/Collector, Paul Bettencourt, have come out against it and they have money to spend. It is amazing anyone would listen to Bettencourt who hung out Harris County voters by quitting just two weeks after being re-elected, but he has an audience and right-wing radio stations to help him.
It's a good idea
As I have said before:
Make no mistake about this proposal, it is a great idea. Candidates for City Council have run on solving the flooding issues of the city for decades without ever solving the flooding issues of the city or the funding problems associated with it. (Ask Councilman Mike Sullivan) Unfortunately solving serious problems such as flooding in Houston requires significant money, raised from taxes, and that is exactly what Renew Houston's amendment will do. For those of us who believe in effective government this is the right thing to do.But....
This new "Tax and spend" initiative is coming from hardcore conservatives and engineering firms who will profit from it . And as I have said before:
Through sex scandals and fiscal mismanagement the republican party in Houston have lost their right to yell "Family Values", and "Fiscal Responsibility". And now with their new tax proposal, they lost the right to yell Tax and Spend".Probably
That in itself will be a victory, but City Council Members have the right and duty to question this proposal and demand answers and I appreciate that some are doing just that. Will this tax be unfair to some? Probably. Will it be more expensive than they claim? Probably. Will repairs be made to areas beside those in your area? Probably. Will I vote for it? Probably.
Yes
And is it the right thing to do? Yes.
