Vote ‘No’ on local-option tax extension

Ten years is too long; if approved, the extension should be limited to three years due to the current uncertainty of the economy, particularly since no one knows how or when the COVID-19 virus may mutate again. It is unfair to increase a tax for ten years that the younger generation will be responsible for. Let them decide for themselves.

"It's to be used solely for the maintenance repair, construction, and reconstruction of our streets," said Cedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart in May 2021. According to a report on Iowa's New Now, May 5, “Collectively all the jurisdictions bring in roughly $31 million a year. Cedar Rapids brings in the largest of the chunk at approximately $18.5 million.” Emphasis should be on the maintenance repair, … and reconstruction of our streets” to repair the worst street surfaces.

Most of our safer one-way streets have been returned to two-way streets, where more head-on collisions can occur as well as intersection accidents, particularly during winter when snow is piled high on corners. These two-way streets also cause traffic to back up, increasing air pollution and delays.

There has been a lot of funding used to build curb extensions. Yes, these are meant to improve pedestrian safety, but they may affect buses or larger vehicles if intersection radii are tightened. They require maintenance, trap trash and interfere with drainage patterns. There are better ways to use this funding.

Please consider everything when you vote on Nov. 2.

Richard Hrvol

Cedar Rapids