If they really can stave off the November cuts, that will earn this plan a lot of bonus points in my book. AFAIK no other proposal even tries to do this.
"a more progressive tax than the mayor's current plan.". Color me dubious. Unless this somehow institutes a city-wide income tax, there is no more progressive a tax in this state than the MVET. I smell a switch from a sales tax to a property tax, which is only marginally more progressive, mostly in name only.
@6, because cars are voluntary. Shelter is needed for survival. Goods to ensure shelter that are taxed by a sales tax are needed for survival. The only progressive tax the state currently has is on cars, the only voluntary and taxed item on the list.
@4
I might be wrong, but I dont believe the Mayor has proposed an MVET. He has proposed a car tab fee. MVET charges by the value of the vehicle, tab fee charges by the car. Tabs arent the most regressive thing ever, but they arent progressive.
My impression is that levying an MVET requires the state to pass legislation allowing it. That just isn't going to happen in the current political environment and certainly not before September.
@16 Thanks. The details are: We'd still vote on the $60 car tab. But the sales tax increase would be replaced by an $18pp "employee tax" paid by employers (I think?) and an increase in the parking tax. That's something the counsel could pass right now. Both funding sources have precedent and are legal. Most importantly, they could take effect pretty much immediately.
Employers certainly do benefit from having a mobile workforce but I'm not sure how I feel about that being a long-term solution. But, it could definitely be a temporary measure to get us through November.
Plan C is perfectly fair, and perfectly Progressive.
It's hilarious to watch both Democrats and their supposedly Socialist allies twist and turn trying to avoid the exact thing they've been asking for for the last few years.
Nick, Kshama, keep it up.
I might be wrong, but I dont believe the Mayor has proposed an MVET. He has proposed a car tab fee. MVET charges by the value of the vehicle, tab fee charges by the car. Tabs arent the most regressive thing ever, but they arent progressive.
Employers certainly do benefit from having a mobile workforce but I'm not sure how I feel about that being a long-term solution. But, it could definitely be a temporary measure to get us through November.
Plan C is perfectly fair, and perfectly Progressive.
It's hilarious to watch both Democrats and their supposedly Socialist allies twist and turn trying to avoid the exact thing they've been asking for for the last few years.
Jesus, that's like saying "the cold part of Antarctica".