Looks like Dakota County has joined Anoka, Hennepin, and Ramsey counties in raising the sales tax to better fund public transit.
Washington County is still mulling it over while Scott County stayed out of it. I bitched about this before when I complained about another Dakota County transit tax being that we’re already paying the fucking wheelage tax and gas taxes are going up as well.
Maybe this will help us to build even more transit infrastructure that Lakeville residents won’t have to pay to utilize?
Shame on you Dakota County.
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April 1st, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Here is a link to the video of today’s meeting (it’s long & IE only). http://dakota.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?clip_id=69&view_id=2
If you have time, watch it. I intended to simply watch who voted to spend my money. They talk about bridge capacity. The only known bridge expansion over the river on MNDOT’s radar is Hastings. MNDOT looks out until 2030.
These people work for us(govt in general). If you are frustrated with south metrol traffic situation, let your legislators know. They obviously think that Cedar and 35W are acceptable.
A question I ask everyone. Do you think that mass transit is really the answer to our problems? Or do you think it is a lame effort given our ugly situation? Remember the bus strike.
April 1st, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Do you think that mass transit is really the answer to our problems?
There is no magic answer that’s going to be the answer of all the problems but I certainly don’t believe that this is the time to be increasing taxes all over the place.
I wish they would just read this site and listen to me as everything would be perfect then ;-)
April 20th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
My comment to JP: “Remember the bus strike” is a very weak argument against raising the sales tax for the purpose of mass transit. The bus strike happened once. Yes, it was a pain, I agree with you. Should I also say “remember the 35W bridge collapse” as an argument against people driving cars instead of taking mass transit? No, I should not because although it was a tragedy (and is still making driving a pain) it is not a strong argument. What is your solution to fixing the problem of overcrowded roads, increasing gas prices, pollution, and sprawl?
Now, here is my rant about why this sales tax increase is good:
I agree with J.P. (at least I think I do, because I think he was saying that 35W and Cedar Avenue need improvement, and I agree) that we need to keep our roads in repair and maybe expand them because not everyone will use mass transit. However, with gas prices likely to hit $4/gallon in the near future, and the housing market taking a hit, one way to keep our southern burbs marketable is by offering mass transit for people to get to/from work, and even to get around town (not just rush hour transit).
We can either be the burbs that ignore the need for quality mass transit, and therefore attract fewer new residents or we can suck it up and pay the extra few pennies and change with the times. I want to see Apple Valley continue to grow and attract people who work in the major metro areas and earn large salaries. We want more people who pay taxes and have disposable income to live here and participate in our local economy. I love living in Apple Valley, but I know that I would enjoy it a lot more if it were more accessible. True, it’s not fair that SOME Lakeville residents enjoy the benefits of Apple Valley without paying our property taxes. But is that a good reason to whine and not try to change and make our city better? Although I am not an immigration restrictionist, I believe that such an argument is akin to claiming that the United States should stop trying to improve itself because some people may come here illegally and reap the benefits. Of course, such an argument conveniently fails to address the significantly higher number of U.S. citizens (or, in the instant case, Apple Valley residents) who will also benefit.
I rode the Apple Valley rush hour bus everyday to downtown Minneapolis (and back) this past summer and will be doing it again (to St. Paul) this summer. The park and ride lot was always full. The buses were full. Clearly, Apple Valley residents utilize the park and ride. It makes our city attractive to people who want to move here; I would not have moved here without it.
Even during Fall, Winter, and Spring when I don’t ride the bus, I don’t mind paying slightly higher property taxes and (soon) sales tax to support public transit. My fiance always drives to work (thus, he never uses public transit), and doesn’t mind the added expense.
Personally, I am proud to be a Dakota County resident, and am proud that our county commissioners realize the importance of public transit in these modern times.
April 20th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Elizabeth,
We are already being taxed (the wheelage tax, other taxes), they’re adding this tax, and possibly yet another transit tax increase.
Now, while I also agree that having mass transit is important and don’t mind paying for it, I do mind paying for it so that others can use it for far less than we do.
Fare’s fair ;-)