SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
June 1, 2008
Sullivan’s Salvos 6/3/08
Today is the Primary Election. Please get out and vote! I would also like to invite anyone and everyone to watch the returns with my family and I at the Okoboji Bar & Grill at Sycamore Mall. People will be there starting at about 7:30 PM. Polls close at 9 PM, and results should begin coming in at that time.
If you have a Sullivan yard sign and want to drop it off, feel free to leave it at 2326 E. Court Street in Iowa City any time that is convenient. If you wish to have it picked up, E-mail me at this address, or give me a call at 354-7199. If I win, feel free to save it for the fall. If I lose, I still want the signs back – I will recycle the cardboard, and donate the wires to a friendly campaign. Thanks for your willingness to publicly demonstrate your support!
The 21st Annual ICARE Pancake Breakfast will take place on Sunday, June 8 from 8 am - 1 pm. The menu includes pancakes, fresh fruit, sausage, juice and coffee. The event takes place on the Ped Mall. Tickets: Pre-event:$10; at the gate:$13. Children 7 and under eat free with purchase of an adult ticket. To buy tickets on-line and save click http://www.icareiowa.org/tickets.html.
I am furious over the way some people use the image of “the little old lady on a fixed income trying to stay in her home” as a justification for trying to reduce property taxes.
Do not get me wrong. I know such women exist. My own mother and two grandmothers all fit the definition. And I certainly do not wish such women any harm. But let’s look at the facts:
First, if these same people REALLY cared about these folks, they would have joined me in opposing the biggest tax increase in Johnson County history, the Local Option Sales Tax. This hurt people on fixed incomes far more than any property tax increase. Folks who bring this up never concern themselves with the sales taxes these women pay. I wonder if that is because all these “concerned” folks own lots of property themselves?
Secondly, why is it taxes that drive these women out of their homes? What about the costs of medicine, food, gas, and insurance? Each of these has increased at a far greater rate than taxes, and with the possible exception of gas, take up a greater percentage of a fixed income. Yet taxes always take the blame.
Thirdly, while the concern for these women keeping their homes is admirable, the same women are far from the neediest among us. Only 50% of the population in Johnson County owns a home. There are lots of little old ladies out there renting already- many are housing-burdened; some are even homeless. A person with a home has a valuable asset that almost half of us lack. Perhaps people should show greater concern for little old ladies who do NOT own homes!
Fourthly, for some reason, this concern for little old ladies does not extend to services. The folks who complain about the taxes on the little old lady do not advocate for increased funding for Elder Services, for example.
Fifthly, for some reason this compassion does not extend to people who use General Assistance, MH/DD, or other services. County funded services always look at both income and ASSETS before granting eligibility. Applicants are required to maintain incomes at the poverty level before they can receive vital County services. We force these folks to accept poverty in exchange for services; where is the advocacy for them? It seems poverty is an OK policy for many County residents, but property-owning older women deserve a break.
Sixthly – (yes, sixthly!) – some people who pretend to advocate for these little old ladies claim that property taxes drive rents. WRONG! Ask any economist; rents are a product of supply and demand. If there was adequate affordable housing in Johnson County, landlords could not use property taxes as an excuse for raising rents.
And lastly, these same people always assume that landlords deserve a set amount of profit. If an individual invests in the stock market, we assume she took some level of risk. When a person invests in the local real estate market, we assume she is somehow entitled to a certain profit. We do not hear the tax hawk politicians pleading with landlords to accept less profit and help out the little old ladies; it is somehow the job of government to keep her in her house. It is simply assumed that any and all increases in property taxes are passed straight to the renter. Landlords are heroes to this crowd, and government is evil.
Hey – I have a mother and two grandmothers who live in their own homes and have fixed incomes. I am sensitive to the fact that property taxes can be a difficulty for them. But property taxes are a bogeyman and a red herring. If we want to help these women and women like them, pass a more progressive income tax structure and single payer national healthcare. That will show you care about the little old ladies.
So how about it, those of you that care so much about these little old ladies? Their incomes are small. Join me in support of a local income tax to replace some local property taxes. Either that, or quit using them as tools to lower your own property taxes and those of your landlord pals.
DID YOU KNOW? According to the US Conference of Mayors, Iowa will have no net decline in property values in 2008. Illinois, Missouri, and Minnesota expect declines; Wisconsin, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas do not.
Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com
"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.
These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.
If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.
If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.
As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!
---Rod
posted by Rod @ 8:13 PM
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