What are chances tax promises will be kept?

While federal and state governments struggle to reduce spending and debt, city officials continue to add to the indebtedness of Cedar Rapids residents. Ignoring high unemployment, a troubled housing market, and an enormous national debt, the mayor and City Council now propose a 20-year extension of the local-option sales tax. Never mind that the previous option tax has not expired and has done nothing to reduce property taxes.

Not only does this proposal obligate all adult residents to two decades of additional taxes, but it obligates our children and grandchildren to years of taxation when they have no vote in the matter. Wasn't there a battle over this in the 1700s?

It is promised that a good share of these revenues will be directed toward street repairs. Sound familiar? What happened to years of annual budgets for street repair? Hotel investments? A small token of revenues will allegedly be designated for property tax relief. Even if this holds true, this would not guarantee that tax rates and assessments will not be increased.

Want to guess the percentage of government promises that are kept after 20 years?

Ronald Boyer

Cedar Rapids