20-year LOST extension is too long; vote no

Voting no May 3 is the most responsible choice. It has nothing to do with helping neighbors. It has everything to do with politicians' accountability. Granting any taxing body an unfettered revenue stream without accountability is a grave mistake.

Nationally, look at what politicians have done to raid Social Security revenue. Statewide, look at what politicians did to the original intent of the Iowa Lottery. Locally, there has been questionable use of LOST revenue voted in 2009, no matter what Mayor Ron Corbett says.

There is no guarantee that five or 15 years from now, City Council members will see the revenue stream in the same light as an earlier vote. The best way to ensure the sales tax is used for its intended purpose is to make the taxing body seek its renewal every three or four years to keep them honest and accountable.

I haven't seen any property tax relief from the (five-year) 2009 LOST that was promised. Have you?

This council gave away a thoroughfare so physicians could destroy jobs. They also put the city into the hotel business, but there's not enough money to train firefighters.

Do you really want to trust them with a 20-year tax stream with no accountability?

Vern Schueller

Cedar Rapids