Comments for (Chump) Change is Coming at http://www.theind.com , comment 1 to 16 out of 16 comments http://www.theind.com Thu, 23 May 2013 10:11:05 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.theind.com/re/7340-chump-change-is-coming#comment-12814 The recent 2010 real estate report in this weekly kinda summed up this problem in it's roundtable discussion when the topic of Border conflicts amongst municipalities and the opening of Ambassador Caffery's Parkway South. The irony here is that the school system is the one entity you might say is truly "consolidated" but at risk. It covers the entire parish, is unified as an operating district and as a tax base. Point being, unlike fears of white financial flight departing for neighboring domiciles in the early era of interstate suburbs of NOLA or most big cities, our present situation in Lafayette is not so much a risk to the City of Lafayette as it is a parishwide problem for the schools. Right now it doesn't matter where the mall is or where you live; you pay sales tax in Lafayette Parish a penny or two goes to school board. You own property in Lafayette parish, you pay prop tax to the school board. The worst thing that could happen would be for separate school districts to start sprouting up and take their unequal per capita tax bases with them. As for the City of Lafayette and it's municipal concerns, if it becomes economically depressed, or just let's say underinvested, and if it fails to tax itself where it's wealth lies, then it will fall short and be set adrift with all sorts of unsustainable expenses, much of which is old infrastructure that was never designed for efficient interconnection in the first place...because hello, the developers built everything and we did not insist on them following simplicity and connectivity. We did not build for density or multi-generational communities either. Lafayette has always been growing mostly either within the city or the unincorporated areas and this growth tended to hide the inefficiencies or lack of enforced planning by either jurisdiction. A rising tide does lift all boats. So what do we do if the tide stops rising, settles at a nice medium or starts to recede? These are nationwide problems, and if we're left with a city financed merely with a debt-laden sales tax system slanted in favor of commercial sales, then we're going to have bigger and bigger problems servicing that debt and growing our way out of it. As Walter is saying, the home owning /commercial spending population of the present generation is maturing and moving out to green pastures taking their home and car buying and spending and working with them. The city of Lafayette will continue to have large tracts of untaxable land in its midst. As the seat of government for the parish and a public headquarters for the region, we will see the growth of additional government facilities in line with the population, even if this incorporated municipality stops growing in economic activity and population numbers. We will still have UL's and Cajundomes, Courthouses, City Halls, Dioceses, central churches, public works departments, and so forth. We will have the demands of infrastructure for a core of a large region, maybe without the tax base to pay for it. These are not taxable activities even if they do provide jobs (and we don't tax incomes...so...) Even if you buy a car here...the sales taxes go to the town where you live, not where you bought it. Home building materials on new construction jobs...those go to the town where the work site deliveries are made, (maybe not?) So to get back to it, like Louisiana as a whole, will we continue to see money in our midst but look the other way as we go out begging on the street for help? Just like with global warming, we probably only have the next decade remaining to start turning the tide back before the trends reach escape velocity. - Jason D. Faulk Wed, 01 Dec 2010 02:28:11 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/7340-chump-change-is-coming#comment-12768 The taxable source in Lafayette has grown over the last five years to a point where the next tax increase should not be forth coming for another five years, the inner city population has decreased by twenty percent, so pray tell why is there a need for a tax increase, the "mere pittance of $ 250,000.00 should never have occurred, if the ELITE AND THEIR BLUE-HAIRED LADY'S WANT AN ARTS CENTER THEN THEY SHOULD FUND THE DAMN THING AND THE BALLYWHO "BS THAT IT ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO MOVE TO AN AREA WITH A FINE ARTS CENTER AND THE LOWEST GRADE POINT AVERAGE SCHOOLS IN THE GULF COAST, is just that a load of BS, and that is all Lafayette has to offer, and that my man is why white flight is occurring, the surrounding outlying schools are developing the teaching methods to bring their students above the illerate level unlike the inner city schools with their poor grade performance scores. Thanks to the Lafayette Parish School Board, which has had the poorest leadership for the last 40 years of any schoolboard in the state. - NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN Sat, 27 Nov 2010 23:27:01 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/7340-chump-change-is-coming#comment-12753 If population is increasing, and more businesses are opening in Lafayette Parish each year, why would those extra taxes not be enough. Again, Walter. You seem to be advocating government taking more private income, at a time when income in the private sector or stagnant. It is one thing to call for a one cent sales tax increase or 2 MIL property tax increase when private sector incomes are up 20% over the past 5 years. It is downright absurd to call for those same tax increases when private sector income has decreased or is stagnant. At that point, government is expecting households to cut their own family budgets to meet the needs of government. That, in itself, is a mentality that should be enough to vote out every politician who supports such a philosophy. - RCajunrunner Fri, 26 Nov 2010 07:22:26 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/7340-chump-change-is-coming#comment-12746 Okay, Okay, Lets not be cheesy. In an intelligent first step towards lessening taxes we cut the salarys of all NPO's administrators, and every Arts parasite dependent, and we cut the salary of any menial government lackey whose salary has been proped up by the administration above that salary of a five year policeman, fireman, or teacher, and in a contributing move towards lessening taxes, all bids for government projects are to be posted in the legal news section of the daily newspaper prior to being awarded and following a review of said bids by a panel of taxpayers, not appointed by the Parish President, but by a write-in nominations by the local gentry, and elected by the local gentry. "This in itself would save all the hidden, cha-ching costs of the current administration sliding the projects to the administration's local PARASITE CRONYS. "TAXES AND DEATH, WE CAN"T AVOID EITHER, BUT BOTH MAY BE DELAYED BY GOOD INTELLIGENT CHOICES ! - NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN Thu, 25 Nov 2010 10:56:58 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/7340-chump-change-is-coming#comment-12744 Actually and genuinely, ragin_cajun, I'd like to see roads widened first. Those are projects that require scores of millions of dollars. Giving $250K annually to the arts center or setting aside $500K for a decade for the horse farm deal are mere pittances. I'm not advocating tax increases, I'm observing that we live in a political climate in which our tax base is unlikely to keep pace with our population and infrastructure needs, because despite the fact that the city of Lafayette's population may be decreasing relative to the parish as a whole, it is still growing. Services will need to keep pace. Taxes are inevitable. Like death. - Walter Pierce Thu, 25 Nov 2010 09:01:19 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/7340-chump-change-is-coming#comment-12741 As usual, Walter is skewing the facts to support his favorite policy positions--higher taxes in Lafayette in this instance. This would be kinda cute if it weren't also the stated position of so many in local government--Joey Durel, for one example. The ONLY thing between these professional leeches and your kid's college fund is the voters, so they tried to cover the city in TIF's. Nice. Walter likes the fact that " Louisiana's property tax rates are among the very lowest in the nation -- 45th lowest by one source", but he conveniently leaves out Louisiana's national ranking in SALES TAXES! So for balance, I'VE gone out and found a source that says that "Louisiana is eighth highest in the nation in sales taxes. At the state level, only California levies higher general sales or use tax on consumers." As for Walter's newfound moderation on taxing and spending--PLEASE! In this article he says that tax revenue is needed for "construction of new roads and the widening of existing ones, for our schools and public facilities". Interesting--because that's not the initiatives of city government that Walter normally trumpets in the Independent, is it? The "investments" in "our future" that have excited Walter the most in the last two years are nohwere near as practical as roads--NGO's, Arts Centers, "green spaces". In fact, Walter openly ATTACKS politicians who think city government should have such mundane priorities. Make no mistake, when the taxes go up, and the Council starts trying to decide how to spend your money, Walter's priorities will be much more "bohemian" and "forward-looking" than mere road building. And he'll have pure venom for anyone who disagrees with him. If you don't believe me, ask William Theriot. - ragin_cajun Wed, 24 Nov 2010 22:43:59 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/7340-chump-change-is-coming#comment-12738 Right Walter, Lets raise taxes and send our dedicated true blue councilmans on an all expense vacation to Paris, to promote "Lafayete Tourism or whatever the hell they were doing in Paris, and lets slide all the "Lafayette Parish Projects to the GreenAmbulanceMan, "WITHOUT A concrete Bid, lets raise taxes so our "Parish President can continue to manage the Lafayette Parish business in a losing red streak. You are so correct about one comment, TAX INCREASE, "or avoided out of political fear by elected leaders". That, MR. Pearce, "would be the last nail in the coffin. - NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN Wed, 24 Nov 2010 20:54:47 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/7340-chump-change-is-coming#comment-12731 Compassionate One et al, I referenced Comeaux and Davis mainly because each has warned that Lafayette Parish is on a trajectory similar to East Baton Rouge and Orleans. Associating that trajectory with tax revenue, although not an original idea, belongs more to me. But it's worth pointing out, in the interest of dialogue, that Louisiana's property tax rates are among the very lowest in the nation -- 45th lowest by one source I encountered. And Lafayette Parish's property tax rate is MUCH lower than parishes that are similar in population and/or demographics like St. Tammany, which has one of the top-performing public school systems in the state. I agree that taxpayer money should be managed wisely by those elected to do so, but I have a sneaking suspicion that many of us have differing interpretations of "wisdom." Happy Thanksgiving! - Walter Pierce Wed, 24 Nov 2010 18:59:40 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/7340-chump-change-is-coming#comment-12730 Are you serious? Conrad Comeaux and Greg Davis think we need to raise taxes. Tell me it ain't so! Conrad maximized the assesments and then 7 of 9 council members voted to roll the millages back up. Huge tax increases for everyone. Funny, no NOT funny, property values have dropped since that time, but no reassesments have been done. So we are currently being overtaxed. With ALL the residential and commerical development the city/parish has experienced over the last decade, what is the increased revenue to the assessor's office? IT'S HUGE! I agree cut the spending, not raise taxes!! I do not believe that "white flight" is happening. People are moving out of the city to find more choices and/or affordable homes. They are not fleeing the decaying inner city. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Compassionate One - Compassionate One Wed, 24 Nov 2010 18:05:31 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/7340-chump-change-is-coming#comment-12726 Giving any government the power to "inflict" any tax without voter approval goes against the very essence of what this country was founded on. Even then, if the description of a proposed tax does not include the word "dedicated" with the body of the description, I vote against the proposal. I learned a long time ago from an individual much wiser than myself, if the tax proposal is not "dedicated" to a specific project or specific purpose, the government can spend the money anywhere they so chose. - RODEOCLOWN Wed, 24 Nov 2010 14:39:30 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/7340-chump-change-is-coming#comment-12724 Boy, have you and those officials you mentioned have missed the boat, on both national and local political and economic climates. My friend, reigning in spending was the theme of this fall's elections. Raising taxes because "we the pols know we need more money and how to best spend it even if you don't," was the antithesis of the recent elections. The rate of taxation has reached its pinnacle per capita. Newsflash: We are gonna hold on to our money as hard as we can given that wages remain stagnant, most of us live pay check to pay check, savings are up but still pretty low as a percentage of income, job security is just a dream, unemployment is a real possibility, and we anticipate living expenses to increase, such as with the prices of food, gas and health care premiums. Local gov't spending must be reigned in, at least symbolically. Can I be anymore clearer? Ain't no way our local pols are gonna justify tax increases without showing - no - demonstrating via reform-minded policies and ordinances, how they are lowering the expense side of budgets. That means quit bowing to those who scream the loudest for our money, such as by the non-profits and service agencies, and then justifying the spending by saying its ultimately a positive ROI; following long term plans like LINC; show positive revenue increases that are a direct result of our push to be a knowledge based economy (FTTH, LITE, etc), otherwise dump support of these initiatives; write local laws that prioritize spending and building reserves; allow the people to vote on creating taxing districts to fund neighborhood/community projects; and the list could go on and on. And if you wanna know why people are leaving the city to live in the parish, ask any Realtor and they'll tell you its because of the schools. Again I tell you, talk to UL's Dr. Stephen Caldas, who co-wrote a book with Dr. Carl Bankston titled: A Troubled Dream: The Promise and Failure of School Desegregation in Louisiana, which focused heavily on school deseg in Lafayette. Got the message? Are you on board now? - Cajunhiker Wed, 24 Nov 2010 13:32:30 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/7340-chump-change-is-coming#comment-12720 Won't NGO's, Arts Centers, Horse Farms and the downtown entertainment district counter this trend? Aren't these the kinds of "services" that lure families into Lafayette? I thought we had a higher "quality of life" here. Why are we now all of a sudden worried about crime, schools, and "green flight"? Why the sudden change in priorities? - ragin_cajun Wed, 24 Nov 2010 11:23:12 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/7340-chump-change-is-coming#comment-12712 Doesn't the dramatic decrease in Democratic Party registration show that we are NOT becoming an inner city like New Orleans? - Anonymous Wed, 24 Nov 2010 09:31:43 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/7340-chump-change-is-coming#comment-12710 I'm glad to see the local tea parties got engaged on this issue. Too many times, Councilman Theriot seemed to be fighting a battle by himself as a fiscal conservative. And no, I don't think the tea party groups are against any and all taxes. However, I would imagine they, like anyone with fiscal sense, is against increasing taxes during a recession. Private industry and private sector workers are having to provide for their families with either stagnant or decreased incomes. Why should government and their favorite NGO entities be any different? - RCajunrunner Wed, 24 Nov 2010 07:39:12 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/7340-chump-change-is-coming#comment-12709 "Republican" Conrad Lyle...I mean...Conrad Comeaux, is for new and higher taxes? No...say it ain't so! - figures Wed, 24 Nov 2010 07:16:31 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/7340-chump-change-is-coming#comment-12708 Something dos not add up. With so much. "white flight" from the city, how does one end up with MORE conservatives considering the fact that the black population is so blindly loyal to the democrats? - Hamburgerhelper Wed, 24 Nov 2010 05:55:14 +0100