We need a new tax anyway

Day’s blog is interesting. Thanks for the tip.

If CWI passes the bond, and the city chips in to build the baseball park across the street, they will have successfully removed quite a bit of prime real estate from the tax roles. Now if we could just wedge in a church or two….

I don’t think that people will come from places like Nampa, Caldwell, Eagle, Meridian, Star, Middleton, etc. if there is a high priced stadium in the center of Boise. Once every two years maybe. Otherwise, they’ll strem it. The seats will be high priced for those who can afford them, and “corporate” such as in advertising and promotional expense.

Minor league baseball is meant to be affordable for families, hourly employees, and the kids. But we create our own reality. If we build a big stadium and then a business in Boise gets a box and they invite influential people, they feel their experience is real. How about just wanting to watch a game? How about affording tickets “and” a hotdog?

Any diverted use of the the Ada County Fairground property toward other venues when the ACF property is widely supported, centrally located, and a very good “public” venue is pandering to the $$$$. Where can you sit in a public place and look at the foothills while the sun sets than is better than ACF?

This is where our elected officials could plan to see us out. Oh well, I’ll be dead or senile by then. Others can enjoy the view digitally.

Unfortunately it will happen. A beautiful public venue will go to the bankers in Garden City.

Holding cities everywhere hostage to having and keeping sports franchises is nothing short of blackmail. I say if they want a new stadium then let them pay for it themselves. Having a monetary stake in a community would stop all the frenetic bidding for team sports of all kinds. They have the money, just look at what they are paying players at all levels of sports.

Just look at the bleachers at the Hawks games when they pitch a new stadium.. way less than a full house. A new stadium will not put more butts in the seats. Why then does Boise need to spend scarce tax dollars on a less than full attendance sports stadium?

EDITOR NOTE–This has little to do with sports. It is all about development, selling and buying real estate, condos, and commercial space.

All citizens should be allowed to vote and elect our leaders, but I am looking for arguments as to why those who do not pay property taxes should be allowed to vote on property tax issues.

I think when voting on property tax issues the combined value of the property taxes in the tax district should be quantified, each dollar equals one vote, I pay $3,000 in property taxes, I have 3,000 votes.

Please tell me where I am wrong.

(I understand that renters “pay” property tax as part of their rent, but I think the landlord has more at risk not the tenant, so I am looking for better arguments)

EDITOR NOTE–Your “own to vote” plan goes back to feudal times. But more importantly, under your plan you would have to give up BILLIONS to the likes of Gardner, owners of the mall, and all sorts of non-residents who own property. In Valley County for example, the majority of taxpayers live outside the county. In short, these examples are why we favor the current “super majority” which requires a 2/3 vote to pass bonds.

JJ effectively asked: Why should people who don’t own real property be allowed to vote on property tax issues?

Do you really think renters don’t contribute? Then you’ve never been a landlord. In fact, renters pay almost double the property tax due to owner occupiers getting an exemption. Renters should get 2 votes for every one vote of an owner occupier.

Good thing for us owners that renters are hopelessly unorganized and have never challenged the constitutionality of the homeowner’s exemption.