Probably the most insightful social media question regarding local transit out there right now . . .
Check this query from a Kansas City Insider concerned about the consequences of toy train streetcar taxation . . .
"As a business owner in the downtown TDD I have already seen a drop in sales since I had to start charging an extra 1% sales tax a year ago. Sales tax rates definitely drives where large dollar purchases are made.All of my competitors have a lower sales tax rate than I have. I myself consider sales tax rates on deciding where I go to eat. People don't realize that the sales tax rate on the Plaza would be 11.35% if this were to pass. Is that high enough to make people stop going there? It is for me."
And the irony here is that the toy train is mostly an eco-devo scheme that doesn't really seem to be on track to boosting the local economy.
Developing . . .
Absolutely a valid point and a concern for business.
ReplyDeleteNope. Degenerate Obama youths will
ReplyDeleteWhen Sly and the gang talk about their urban renaissance, but have no real idea of the impact of the taxes necessary to pay for all these free toys, you really have to ask yourself what planet these folks come from.
ReplyDeleteThey treat city government like it's a taxpayer-funded venture capital firm there just to finance the dreams of hipsters, urban futurists, contractors, and any other little group with a big new shiny idea.
But the residents and businesses in KCMO get stuck with the tab, and in this case, for decades.
So does a streetcar balance out an earnings tax, higher property and sales taxes, crappy streets, water pipes that burst, and one of the highest murder rates in the country?
These folks are losing and they just keep adding to load. When you're in a hole, stop digging.
You are really reaching now Tony.
ReplyDeleteStreetcar nostalgia!!!! Just like the old days!!!! Buy now pay later on easy installments!!!
ReplyDeleteThe biggest hurdle is waking people up. Sometimes it's almost not worth the effort it can be so painful trying to do so.
If the accusation that the over-60 crowd is the most anti-streetcar group is true, wouldn't that mean the people who can actually remember streetcars don't want them back?
ReplyDeleteThe Plaza neighborhoods & businesses will have even more to worry about soon when they find out Troy is going to cut back on services to that area in other ways! Enjoy that tax hike for the train and good luck on getting the rest of the services you expect!
ReplyDeleteNiggers will kill the Plaza. They're already doing it.
ReplyDeleteCome to Gladstone taxes only 7.225
ReplyDeleteThe problem with KCMO is the neighborhoods are not being taken care of. Once the TIF runs out and the owners have to pay more taxes they will be leaving KCMO just as they are leaving South KC now and the east side.
ReplyDeleteExactly right. How many times a year is there a news story about a homeowner getting slapped with a $4K sidewalk repair bill because they assumed the city was responsible for a tree planted in the easement that cracked the sidewalk in front of their home? When is the last time you saw the city repair a sidewalk in your neighborhood? The answer is never, and that is partially because Kay Barnes cut our infrastructure budget in half to pay for economic development without a tax increase, but it is also because the streetcar is and will continue to devour PIAC, so maintaining existing pedestrian infrastructure takes a back seat to more important things like bridge maintenance.
ReplyDeleteReject these water bonds, reject the TDD formation, and let's discuss a city wide, gradual property tax increase that will replenish our infrastructure budget for sidewalk maintenance, fountain maintenance, parks & boulevard upgrades, and bicycle/MAX bus improvements.
Taxes kill the Plaza...give me a fucking break. That has more stretch in it than a bungee cord.
ReplyDeleteThe folk who frequent the Plaza could care less about "taxes"...they pay more taxes than the average hipsters yearly income. Possibly in their lifetime.
The demise of the Plaza will be at the hands of the Negro hoods that ruin everything they come near. Yeah, go ahead, call me a racist for telling the truth. Like I give a flying fuck.
The idioty on this blog cracks my shit up. 11.35 will not kill anything. Town center is 12, Panera seems to be doing just fine. If you dont wan to pay 11.35 go to op mall, where you will pay 11.
ReplyDelete936, I think they all should stay in their homes in fear
ReplyDelete9:36-7: The rationale that it's always higher somewhere else does not necessarily mean it has to be higher here. Remember it's always lower somewhere else, too.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteWe must stop City Hall from their self-abuse. Vote NO on April 8th. Send a clear, concise message to the Mayor and City Council. NO MORE. When you rob $24 million from the much needed water/sewer fund to pay for the environmental study for the $550 million streetcar extension,(not even voted in)and serving only 7 miles--something is WRONG.
VOTE NO on April 8th on anything that will cost money. For general principle, vote NO on everything. Get the message out loudly and clearly. Thanks, City Hall, but no. Clearly NO.
Let's at least vote yes on moving the elections from the frigid winter to a time when people will be able to get out and listen to what the candidates have to say.
ReplyDeleteWell @9:36 I used to shop at Oak Park Mall and Ward Parkway but I am very aware of the sales tax rates there which is why I stopped. Except for groceries, I do almost all of my shopping online where there are no sales taxes. Being able to save almost 10% 0n everything and keep the money in my pocket makes me very happy.
ReplyDeleteFact is thousands of folks dodge premium tax zones. Hell, just look at the people who will drive a block out of the city limits to buy cheaper gas.
ReplyDeleteIn spite of the fact that the city brags up Zona Rosa the actual retail dollars per square foot falls way below average for same company units. The tax bucks there are about booze and food where it is much easier to gouge the customer
I'd take the word of professional urban planners and professional transit specialists over amateur internet lawyers and anonymous armchair economists any day.
ReplyDeleteFuck your facts 936. Make me a latte you hipster libtard then pay your rent you're just going to move to Johnson county anyway when this boondoggle fails and kills your children while they play and cripples the poor black folks I care so much about who should not be given the opportunity to bet for things like this because they don't know what's good for them.
ReplyDeleteI should probably be allowed to vote for them since I can't vote on this but I'm the only one who really understands things plus I stand the most to lose because I live on Dartmouth and as you know, a streetcar in midtown will affect me directly because I sometimes go to first Fridays when I have the in laws in town and it's quite possible I will have more trouble parking than I care for.
"I'd take the word of professional urban planners (who work for companies that stand to gain if this boondoggle is passed) and professional transit specialists (who work for the city will suck up tax dollars for all their working lives and then retire on fat city pensions) over amateur internet lawyers and anonymous armchair economists (whom we plan to hose to support our lifestyle until we get tired of this mess and demand the tracks be taken up gain in a few years) any day."
ReplyDeleteI think we understand where you're coming from, 2:48, but should a professional urban planner working for BNIM be on the Internet during working hours?
"...poor black folks I care so much about who should not be given the opportunity to bet for things like this because they don't know what's good for them."
ReplyDeleteInteresting use of the word "bet." Freudian slip, perhaps?
I do not want them back. buses are better.
ReplyDelete