Saturday, May 02, 2009

Taxes on the Ballot

Tuesday, May 5 is election day. Across Michigan, there will be elections for local offices and tax proposals. The most prominent is the Detroit mayoral runoff between Dave Bing and Ken Cockrell.

In Kalamazoo County, there will be a countywide millage on the ballot to fund the bus system. The money would go to the Car-a-Van system and three low-ridership bus routes in Portage. The bulk of the bus system is expected to be funded by a millage in the city of Kalamazoo in November.

This proposal is scaled down from the massive transportation proposal that was soundly defeated last November. That proposal would have made funding for the bus system entirely countywide.

However, the current proposal would still force people, particularly in outlying parts of the county, to pay for services that they don't use. As such, it should be defeated.

Also on the ballot will be a renewal of the millage for the Kalamazoo Public Libraries. KPL is aggressively promoting renewal, with "Library Champion" signs sprouting up around town.

There will also be school board and library board positions on the ballot. The Gazette provides brief profiles of some of the races.
Southwest Michigan voters to cast ballots on transit tax, school board races
In Kalamazoo school board race, a former teacher and a volunteer compete graciously
Portage school board candidates have similar views but come from different backgrounds
9 candidates run for 3 Portage library seats in May 5 election

The 2009 Election Preview has been updated.

Previous:
Future Tax Hikes?
They Won't Take NO for an Answer
Tax Eaters Are Never Full
The bus routes have been saved
Ax the bus tax
Bus Tax: The Facts
Tax increase for busing?

1 comment:

RightMichigan.com said...

New taxes for new a new bus line here in Grand Rapids, too. It never ends. And it all sounds so great. Especially to voters who don't own home, don't pay the tax but want to ride the bus.

--Nick
www.RightMichigan.com