Annual 'truth in taxation' hearings would be optional
Associated Press
Legislation advancing in the Minnesota Senate would let cities and counties raise property tax levies without state interference, published notices in newspapers or annual hearings where taxpayers vent their frustrations. Senate Taxes Committee Chairman Tom Bakk said extra state aid was supposed to help local governments cope with levy limits, but the money has dried up with the meltdown. He said Democrats held out for the aid as part of last year's budget deal with Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
Bakk's bill would nix "truth in taxation" hearings late in the year — annual meetings where taxing authorities present their budgets and taxpayers react and ask questions. Bakk said the meetings are costly but don't always draw crowds. He suggested that governments could let the public weigh in at their regular meetings instead.
The bill's next stop is the Senate Rules and Administration Committee.
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29 comments:
"Bakk's bill would nix "truth in taxation" hearings"
Isn't that peachy? Just pass a law to remove all accountability to the public. Be careful who you vote for in the next election.
Our founding father's are rolling over in their graves right now!
No taxation without representation... Out the window!
First of all I hope everyone that doesn't like what's going on in our government whether it's local or federal start keeping track of these politicians so when the next election rolls around you remember what they stood for and vote them the H.... out of office. I, for one, am going to push a certain person to run for Mayor or City Council, a real constitutionalist. They won't put up with any of this nonsense. They will CLEAN HOUSE!!! I don't want to reveal a name at this time since our city is known as being retaliatory. The people are so frustrated that I definitely see a a whole new council and Mayor in the very near future.
Yes, I bet all you bloggers flocked to City Hall each and every year for Centerville's Truth and Taxation Hearings.
They will now after seeing the wasteful spending done by the current council at the suggestion of the administrator.
The fact that the legal notices were placed in a newspaper nobody read (The Quad) but now placed in a paper that is delivered to every mailbox (The Citizen) in town might make a whole lot of difference.
In fact, this little blog has done far more for informing the citizens than the City ever has.
Guess Who said...
"Yes, I bet all you bloggers flocked to City Hall each and every year for Centerville's Truth and Taxation Hearings"
Guess Who?
Dallas Larson or Jeff Paar!
Sounds like a sarcastic statement either would make.
"You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it."
Dr. Adrian Rogers
And isn't much of this taxing, pork spending, TIF, Eminent Domain just this?...Stealing from one to give undeservingly to another? Eliminate another checks & balances from the government, (especially "truth in taxation" hearings) and that my dear friend indeed is the beginning of the end. Whether or not there is a full house at the hearings is missing the point. While it is sad and true many of us (me included) have stayed home instead of "flocking to City Hall", the question still remains: do the citizens want checks & balances of their local & federal government?
Isn't this what this blog is looking for a way to save money? It costs money to put on special hearings and if the information is in regular council meetings won't this achieve this? Or is it too much to ask the so called concerned citizens of Centerville to actually pay attention all year instead of just when it suits them.
Sarcastic comments means we are getting to them. Are they a little upset that we are really starting to ban together and that their downtown may not become a reality and cleaning house may become a reality? Stay together everybody!
Do you silly little bloggers really think Dallas Larson, Jeff Paar or anybody else really cares what is said here?
The only people blogging here are the same five or six people, with nothing new to say.
Here is an idea do not let any body post anonymously, then you find out who is who and who is saying what.
Guess Who @ 12:55 AM
Weren't there FIVE of SIX HUNDRED people that signed the audit petition? Every person was given this blog address so that kind of blows your theory about the number of "silly little bloggers" here.
The fact that you believe there are only a hand full of people making comments comes directly from the City officials as that is what they would like everyone to believe.
As far as posting anonymously, the blog would never force that because the City has a habit of retaliating against citizens that disagree with it.
"Do you silly little bloggers really think Dallas Larson, Jeff Paar or anybody else really cares what is said here?"
That is a terrifying comment as they absolutely should care what every constituent says! As public officials, they work for us and your mindset that some people don't matter is horrendous! This high and mighty attitude has almost brought Centerville to it's knees.
five or six bloggers or five or six hundred petition signers?
saving money by doing away with the truth in taxation announcement/hearing?
priceless!
just goes to show that there's always one in every group!
what is going on with the audit anyway?
To "Guess Who":
Did you know that currently there is a tax cap (limit) on how much cities can raise taxes ("Revenue") on their citizens? It's 6.66%. (Check out the Preliminary '09 budget below for our town. Total Revenue percent change from '08 to '09 is 6.66%) Did you know that this current bill being considered in the MN legislature would wipe out this tax limit? If that be the case, the city could raise your taxes to whatever they deem 'necessary'. Not only that, according to this bill, the city would no longer have to notify you of the raised taxes. Without that tax cap in place, along with Centerville's deficit of
$9,000,000 NINE MILLION
(includes committed bonds), how much do you think our city government would raise our taxes? The city continues to raise our taxes ("Revenue") to the maximum allowed, making our town the 3rd highest taxed city in the state.
I'ld say we ALL should be paying attention. Money spent on Truth in Taxation hearings is money well spent!
Yes were is that State audit?
600 people may have signed the petition - but in my humble opinion I don't think 600 + people read this blog or even care enough to write in it.
Look at your latest poll? How's that working out for you? Not very many people have voted now have they.
This Blog is not the voice of the people, it is the voice of a select few. Get over yourselves.
Does Guess Who seems a little concerned?
Obviously he/she cares enough about this little to post comments.
Everyone is welcome to their opinion regardless of how humble it is.
lol!
Guess Who is a troll. Don't feed the troll by responding to it.
"Isn't this what this blog is looking for a way to save money?"
Yes, by exposing wasteful spending and holding the city officials accountable for it. NOT by removing the truth in taxation hearing.
"Here is an idea do not let any body post anonymously, then you find out who is who and who is saying what."
Here is an idea, why not require name, address, social security number and credit rating while we are at it?
The local Government would LOVE that!
Those who spend time worrying about "who said what" are usually those who want to retaliate against them!! Keep blogging people, it looks as though we are getting to "guess who said.."!! I LOVE IT!!
I truly only blog here to get you people worked up. And it sure works. I haven't been here for awhile, but I noticed no one was making any comments, so I thought I would get you guys going once again.
Remember, its still a small town, we know who you are....
You may think you who I am, but I'm sure you don't. And what difference does it make if you know you I am, it that suppose to be a threat?
Dear "Guess Who said...", Why would you even think that was a threat??? Please, you are spouting off about people leaving annonymous comments, yet you yourself leave "annonymous" messages?? Can you spell "hypocrite"?
Guess Who said . . . .
Whether people of this City know who you are or not it doesn't really matter. However, one thing for sure God knows who you are and YOU SHOULD BE WORRIED!!!
STOP FEEDING THE TROLL! He will go away if you ignore him.
So now God will judge me for my opinions? Maybe you should be concerned about your judgement day. When you only post the comments that suit your cause. And were is that State Audit? We are all still waiting.
We post all comments that do not violate our terms of use. Consistant bomb throwers, threatening statements and foul language will not be tolerated.
We have been advised by the State that the Centerville audit is still in review. Once the process has been completed the petitioners will meet again with the State to review the findings and have the report explained.
We are also still waiting.
This is so not true. Many of my comments are not posted. What do you consider a bomb? Something that conflicts with your opinions? I have not used foal language. So what's up with that?
"And were is that State Audit"
Were = Past subjunctive of be
Where = In what position
"I have not used foal language"
Foal = Baby Horse
Foul = Offensive
Too bad Google doesn't offer grammar check for certain individuals.
"Or is it too much to ask the so called concerned citizens of Centerville to actually pay attention all year instead of just when it suits them."
Posted by a condescending city worker?
What the heck does that mean? The citizens of this city will rise up in revolt when it is necessary and when it is properly informed.
When local government is doing the right thing, there is no need to pay much attention. That is called TRUST!
When local government is screwing the people, they start to pay very, very close attention! That is called SURVIVAL!
I'd bet that the "so called concerned citizens" will grow in number and vote out the fiasco (ridiculous failure) that is our "so called" current council.
Looking forward to helping out with that!
Yep, you betcha, smarty pants!
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