Comments for CPC to vote on crumpets and cucumber sandwiches at http://www.theind.com , comment 1 to 25 out of 20 comments http://www.theind.com Tue, 21 May 2013 06:17:30 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8436-cpc-to-vote-on-crumpets-and-cucumber-sandwiches#comment-18551 "..if you don't live in the district why do you get to vote on taxes in the district." Because a tax on a business in YOUR neighborhood is paid by people from across the city, parish, and state. Now if you want to charge your own "fee", and then float bonds against it, that's your right. But, in order to TAX, with the authority and enforcement of the government, in this town/parish/state/country, there must be approval of the people who will BE taxed. Your tax in your neighborhood is not borne solely by you. If not, then that's "taxation without representation". But the very simple answer to your question is, once again, that's the LA Constitution, and the Home Rule Charter. If you think that "no taxation without representation", the LA Constitution, or the Home Rule Charter is "socialist", then go change it. But don't just ignore what they say and do what you want because you're the mayor, or the council. That won't stand. - ragin_cajun Thu, 09 Jun 2011 08:26:44 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8436-cpc-to-vote-on-crumpets-and-cucumber-sandwiches#comment-18520 Not concerned with TIFs at this point because I can't wrap my mind around two other issues: (1) The author characterizing Lafayette as "center right parish," and (2) anyone taking little Donnie Bertrand seriously as a human being or a politician. - MollyBloom Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:40:54 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8436-cpc-to-vote-on-crumpets-and-cucumber-sandwiches#comment-18507 Does anyone care that here in Louisiana, we operate TIFs in a way that is different than other states? Do we care that while here in LA, we allow TIF to mean that tax rates are increased, in other states, the tax rate is NOT increased, but rather, just any extra revenues over the "baseline" are dedicated to the re-development? Are we happy with our politicians convoluting what a TIF is supposed to be? - RCajunrunner Tue, 07 Jun 2011 22:12:52 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8436-cpc-to-vote-on-crumpets-and-cucumber-sandwiches#comment-18503 Good answer Ragin- except my question is this..if you don't live in the district why do you get to vote on taxes in the district. If its as you say....in the constitution that sounds a lot like big government socialism, allowing non-property owners to vote on taxes in areas they don't live in. - holeinthedonut8 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 19:09:18 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8436-cpc-to-vote-on-crumpets-and-cucumber-sandwiches#comment-18500 'TIF is a method to use future gains in taxes to finance current improvements (which theoretically will create the conditions for those future gains).' 'Currently, thousands of TIF districts operate nationwide in the US, from small and mid-sized cities, to the State of California, which invented tax increment financing in 1952.' In the Wall Street Journal, Steven Greenhut writes about California’s redevelopment agencies, which are very similar to tax increment financing districts (TIF) in Kansas. California governor Jerry Brown has proposed ending these agencies. Local government officials, who are beneficiaries of the agencies, are pushing back. A controller’s report in California finds that the agencies are a “source of waste and governmental abuse — not a generator of jobs and economic growth.” This is consistent with other economic research on TIF districts. Greenhut correctly diagnoses the problem with these agencies or districts: “Redevelopment has attracted the Brown administration’s attention for an obvious reason: The more aggressive cities have become in using this ‘tool,’ the more they divert tax dollars from traditional public services like schools, fire-fighting and police services.” http://www.state-politics.com/midwest/tif-a-wichita-‘tool’-might-be-on-the-way-out-in-california/ - Dudley E. LaBauve, III Tue, 07 Jun 2011 15:25:09 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8436-cpc-to-vote-on-crumpets-and-cucumber-sandwiches#comment-18492 holeinthedonut8 -- The TEA Party knows full and well that a TIF district that includes a residential area, with "qualified electors" living in its bounds, requires a vote of the people to approve the tax. They have stated as much. The problem is this...can you name a TIF district that the administration has supported in Lafayette Parish that includes residential areas with qualified electors? No, you can't. The administration and the council deliberately draw these districts so that there are no qualified voters, and no election is required. That is the issue, truthfully and factually stated. The reason why people living outside of the TIF district should have a vote, is because the incremental tax WILL be paid by paid by people living outside of the TIF district--by definition if the district has no residential property in it. As for "Why do teabaggers think they have a right to vote on how I tax my area if they live elsewhere???? " Well, that's simple....it's in the home rule charter and in the state constitution. That is the form of government that we have all agreed upon. If you, or the council, or Durel, think that is wrong, then change the charter and the constitution. You do NOT get to change the established rule of law on a whim because somebody decides they want to float a bond to build some pet project of Gauthreaux and Durel. Sorry. - ragin_cajun Tue, 07 Jun 2011 10:54:08 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8436-cpc-to-vote-on-crumpets-and-cucumber-sandwiches#comment-18489 WOW- you said it!!!! Things don't look so GOOD in other places throughout this country! Thanks- someone needed to say it! - Parish Pal Tue, 07 Jun 2011 10:01:57 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8436-cpc-to-vote-on-crumpets-and-cucumber-sandwiches#comment-18488 All you guys seem to be angry. Just let the elected ones do what they need to do and then re-elect them to do more good. If not for these guys we would not have The Light Center, or Red Light Cameras. or a New Chief Imfomation Officer, or a New Police Chief, Or New Low Income Housing on the way, or A Local Contract to Track City Cars and Trucks, or A Rosa Parks Statue. Just leave them alone and enjoy Lafayette. - wow Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:23:11 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8436-cpc-to-vote-on-crumpets-and-cucumber-sandwiches#comment-18483 The Heymann PAC is not eligible for TIF's, it is a pig sty and not suitable for the " Elite of Lafayette and the " Administration's Crony's Children, TIF's are used by the Laf. Administration to beef up the pie for distribution to the cronies who manipulate the administration for every wild-eye investment which goes over the initial TIF and keeps growing all in the name of TIF, should readout TIFCD = Taxes Invested Future Crony's Deals, that is a more applicable name for a program whose sole purpose is designed to enrich the pockets of the administrations " CRONY'S. - NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN Tue, 07 Jun 2011 08:04:08 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8436-cpc-to-vote-on-crumpets-and-cucumber-sandwiches#comment-18482 Let me try that statement again: "Tax Increment Financing in Louisiana has become convoluted compared to what other areas of the COUNTRY do". - RCajunrunner Tue, 07 Jun 2011 07:53:57 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8436-cpc-to-vote-on-crumpets-and-cucumber-sandwiches#comment-18481 Problem is, Pawn, that TIFs in Dallas apparently do NOT come about by increases in sales or property tax RATES. Rather, the extra TIF money is generated by increases in tax revenues due to added property values when new development or improvements occur. http://www.dallas-ecodev.org/SiteContent/66/documents/Incentives/TIFs/TIF_QA.pdf Tax Increment Financing in Louisiana has become convoluted comapred to what other areas of the state do when TIFs are established. Illinois: http://www.cookcountyclerk.com/tsd/tifs/Pages/TIFs101.aspx - RCajunrunner Tue, 07 Jun 2011 07:24:52 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8436-cpc-to-vote-on-crumpets-and-cucumber-sandwiches#comment-18480 I tell you what, after 3 dance reviews in a month, and having to go to that pig sty/salvage yard Heymann Performing Arts Center, I have to admit Mr. Stewart's idea for a new performance venue has merit. I know I'll be corrected if I have it wrong, but didn't Stewart want to have some kind of auditorium? Oh, maybe that was the plan, run HPAC into the ground, sell it to General Hospital, and use the new one. I believe a new auditorium is on a future agenda because the HPAC is disgusting, embarassing and shameful. (but the employees were the saving grace, I have to say. Its been hot & crowded & they've had to hear about the parking, but they were very gracious. Its not their fault the City of Laf is destroying the Heymann Ctr.) - Pay2Play Tue, 07 Jun 2011 07:19:49 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8436-cpc-to-vote-on-crumpets-and-cucumber-sandwiches#comment-18478 Strangely enough the know-it-all teabaggers are not mentioning that the people in the TIF district DO GET to approve the tax. Those OUTSIDE of the TIF do not get to vote. The ordinance under consideration will give people NOT in the district the right to vote on issue in TIF distraict that THEY WON"T BE PAYING ANYWAY...is that what they want? Why do teabaggers think they have a right to vote on how I tax my area if they live elsewhere???? - holeinthedonut8 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 06:51:53 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8436-cpc-to-vote-on-crumpets-and-cucumber-sandwiches#comment-18477 "Keep an eye on District 7 Councilman Don Bertrand and District 8’s Keith Patin" Walter, didn't you mean: Leftist or Left Leaning Councilman Bertrand and Keith Patin? Let's be consistent my friend! - Compassionate One Tue, 07 Jun 2011 05:37:41 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8436-cpc-to-vote-on-crumpets-and-cucumber-sandwiches#comment-18476 Theriot/Bellard are doing a good job stopping any more growth in Lafayette. The fact is raising capital for developments are very difficult. Visit Frisco which is North of Dallas. All the shopping and retail centers there were built with TIF money. Theriot/Bellard are narrow minded and should be voted out of their districts. - Pawn in the game of Life Tue, 07 Jun 2011 04:17:04 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8436-cpc-to-vote-on-crumpets-and-cucumber-sandwiches#comment-18474 I wear depends because I get the runs every time someone tries to argue Little Donny Bertrand is a good Republican who "does what he believes is good for us". Donny does what he believes will help him receive Joey Durel's good graces, because he sure as hell ain't going no higher politically than his current office. Durel is Donny's meal ticket. - Depends Mon, 06 Jun 2011 22:42:19 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8436-cpc-to-vote-on-crumpets-and-cucumber-sandwiches#comment-18471 Thats right Couillion Concerned Person, and I'll add who cares what your reasons are, and what your brain-dead cells belch out. Your reasons have no weight therefore they don't count, there are so many little snipes like you ever ready to do your boot-lickin duty to the administration to satisfy your little local government check. - NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN Mon, 06 Jun 2011 21:31:36 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8436-cpc-to-vote-on-crumpets-and-cucumber-sandwiches#comment-18468 "Smear" the tea party! Impossible. Nothing bad enough can be said about that group. Half-wits who live in reverse. They would bring back prohibition and take away the rights of women to vote if they could. And, Mr. Depends, did you put yours on today? Surely you need some with an addled brain like yours. Why do all of you righter-than-right wingnuts think Mr. Bertrand is Mr. Durel's bootlicker? He does what is he believes is good for us. - Gene Broussard Mon, 06 Jun 2011 18:11:35 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8436-cpc-to-vote-on-crumpets-and-cucumber-sandwiches#comment-18467 If you take the time to read about the ordinance, and EXACTLY what it would accomplish, I'm sure that you will see the necessity of it. You can do this on the Tea Party of Lafayette Website; it's not that difficult. Excuse US for educating ourselves , and actually having an interest in government and its effect on us and our community. GET USED TO IT !! - Joan Beduze Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:16:59 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8436-cpc-to-vote-on-crumpets-and-cucumber-sandwiches#comment-18458 concerned person -- " I think the Tea Party that I have seen stands for good common sense and this Tea Party does not. " Really? Can you elaborate? What exactly has "this TEA Party" done that you think is counter to common sense? Can you actually cite some examples from the last 6 months or 1 year? Do you mean TEA Party of Lafayette? Or some broader "TEA Party" group, or movement on a statewide or national scale? Also, if you are speaking of TEA Party of Lafayette, who do you think hijacked it? Finally, let me say that your comment here was nothing more than a personal smear directed against the sponsors of the ordinance, and the "TEA Party". Perhaps you could state some reasons why you think Lafayette should have taxes "by decree of the City-Parish Council"? Maybe you could state reasons for your opposition to tax elections? Maybe say something reasonable and thoughtful? - ragin_cajun Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:32:42 +0100