Transportation, Taxes and Talent
This is disappointing. From what I understand, the bill is asking to allowing voters the right to vote on being taxed or not. I think any bill that has anything to do with potential increased taxes will reach stiff opposition.
It’s a sad reality of politics. If this bill were passed and the people voted to increase their own taxes the politicians who aproved the option tax will be accused during the next election season of raising taxes. Not something anyone will want to face if we head further into a recession.
Senate committee kills local-option tax bill | News Updates
A Senate panel’s rejection of a local option tax bill to fund transportation projects means the issue is likely dead this year — and maybe for years to come. The Senate Local Government and Taxation committee voted 4-3 Monday to kill a trailer bill that would have set up the rules for how a local option taxing district would operate.
Why is a tech blog concerned about an option tax? Talent. If we want to attract and/or retain good talent, transportation aka life style, will be an increasing challenge.
Technorati Tags: Taxes, Senate, Idaho, Transportation,
Yes, very disappointing. I agree with your comment about attracting/retaining talent. Transportation is critical to the Boise region’s future. This link, http://www.iedconline.org/EDAmerica/Fall2005/talent.html,
is from 2005, but is a great read on Economic Development. Came across this a week or so ago and your post triggered my memory. The article focuses on three important areas of economic growth: 1) Infrastructure - transportation, etc. 2) Investment - available capital, 3) Development of human talent (noted as most important).
I too agree that this was a disappointing development. This fear of allowing voters to vote to invest in Idaho’s future does not speak well of the legislature and its vision/committment to building a better future.