Extending LOST is bad idea

Extending the local option 1-percent sales tax is not visionary or demonstrates any leadership whatsoever on taxes and spending. Keeping the 1-percent tax is wrong timing with the bad economy, wrong headed, wrong thinking, and wrong for the taxpayers.

Who on the City Council speaks for the taxpayer? This assumption that keeping the 1-percent local-option sales tax is some great vision rather than raising property taxes or borrowing as the only solution is looking at this issue of street repair shortsighted.

Take a look at the private sector and how they approach spending cuts. Instead of looking at the revenue side (more taxes), why isn't anyone looking at cutting the city budget (more than 600 pages) to cover these street repair costs (spending side)? Running first to the taxpayer for more money with a claim that this is a great (only) alternative is not being good stewards.

This begs the question: If this 1-percent tax is allowed to sunset, then the streets will not be fixed? Are we going to be held hostage over potholes? Street repairs are desperately needed. Can someone on the City Council have the leadership and courage to address city spending and cost cutting to get the money needed? Taxpayers deserve better.

Mike Sills

Cedar Rapids