Tax limits squeeze inner-ring suburbs (Crying about Headlee amendment, unable to raise taxes)

Detroit News ^ | 9-8-03 | Mike Wowk, Joel Kurth and Amy Lee

[Dan from Michigan]

LIVONIA -- Library hours are dwindling in Livonia. Fewer police officers patrol Hazel Park and Oak Park. Aging bleachers aren't replaced in Eastpointe.

Normal budget-tightening during tough times? More like a sign of things to come, say leaders of aging Metro Detroit suburbs who argue they're hamstrung by Proposal A and the Headlee Amendment, which are laws that limit the amount of taxes Michigan governments can collect.

[Dan from Michigan]

This will be tossed into the sprawl debate. The inner ring suburbs are losing population or are stagnant. Less people means less taxes. On the same note, raising taxes causes an exodus away from the city or inner suburb.

The question to ask is, what is causing these people to leave the area? Schools? Crime? Proximity to the City of Detroit? Retirements and moving away?

I think one problem is these elitist attitudes. The voters speak out time and time again on taxes. Out where I'm at, our county has a low tax rate and despite the revenue sharing cuts and the like, our books are balanced.

People have to balance their books, bout time governments do as well.

[Tacis]

How are public sector union employees going to be able to retire at 100% pay (with guaranteed adjustmenst for inflation) after 10 years, without unlimited tax increases?

[Lorianne]

"I thought I already paid for stuff like this."

You did. But your tax money went towards subsidizing the infrastructure and development costs of building newer suburbs. Thats how the game is played.

[tx_eggman]

fewer resources to meet ever-increasing needs of government. The beast must be fed. Feed the beast, feed the beast.

The same increase (1%) in wages for the city's 230 workers costs $126,000 So the average city worker is making nearly $55,000 per year with pension benefits unparalleled in the private sector.

... if this continues and people lose police protection, they may not be so popular.. ah, fear as a motivational tool.

... as well as a well-liked leaf vaccuuming program ... Rake your own damn leaves.

... How are we going to pay for a 25 percent increase in health care (for city workers).. by passing it on, just like my employer does.

... including five public safety officers (note, it does not say police officers); scale back on summer concerts; and eliminate its fireworks display just to balance its $18 million budget).. Concerts and fireworks, your tax dollars at work.

... The state's total revenue from taxes, fees and other sources cannot exceed 9.49 percent of total personal income in Michigan).. So, government is starving on just 9.49% of everything earned in the state - I am shocked, saddened and shocked.

[Dan from Michigan]

So, government is starving on just 9.49% of everything earned in the state - I am shocked, saddened and shocked.

And I thank God, Headlee, John Engler, and the voters for passing Prop A and the Headlee Amendment.

[hopespringseternal]

Here in Texas, it is a property tax free-for-all. There aren't many restrictions on raising property taxes or valuations, and every taxing entity pegs the limit every year.

With the exception of real estate crashes, every year sets a new revenue record.

And we still have to listen to the same sort of end-of-the-world whining from local politicians and cuts in basic services.