May 04, 2005
Democracy in action
After seven hours of public testimony, including former Minnesota Twins first baseman Kent Hrbek and local residents bearing signs reading "Referendum - Yes" and "Let Us Vote," the Hennepin County commission voted exactly as expected yesterday: 4 to 3 in favor of funding a Twins stadium with a county sales-tax increase. The measure will now go to the state legislature, where Twins stadium bills traditionally go to die.
Those shouting into the wind before the vote included both supporters of the plan. One local teacher had his kids bring jars with three pennies in them to represent the "three cents on a $20 purchase" sales tax hike. (Presumably he wasn't an economics teacher, or he'd have had them bring wads of twenties.) Minneapolis sports economist Kenneth Zapp, meanwhile, described the deal as a giveaway, noting: "For about 40 percent of what you propose to spend, you could buy the team."
I am so disgusted with my County Commissioner, Mark Stenglein and my State Senator, Linda Higgins, who voted in favor of this tax, I will actively be campaigning against both of them. In fact, I will NEVER vote for any politician who voted in favor of this totally inappropriate use of county taxpayer money. 70% of the people I meet and talk to agree.
It is just a disgusting misuse of taxypayers hard earned money.
Posted by: Rebecca on August 30, 2006 03:55 PM
