SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
August 2, 2013
Sullivan’s
Salvos 8/6/13
In this edition:
*August Leases
*Coalition for Racial Justice
*ICCSD Board Candidates
*Policy Vs. Politics
*Rent and Property Taxes
*Did You Know?
*August Leases
The
August leases have begun, and people are pouring into our community. There are now
lots of drivers, bikers, and pedestrians who are not completely certain where
they are headed.
Please
allow a little more time and a little more space. The newbies will figure
things out in due time!
*Coalition for Racial Justice
The
Coalition for Racial Justice (CRJ) has been doing some great work of late, and
I thought it was worth giving that group a tip of the hat here.
The
CRJ was responsible for a nice event in downtown Iowa City in the wake of the
gutting of the Voting Rights Act and the George Zimmerman not guilty verdict.
The event stayed calm, but folks had a venue for singing, crying, and just
being together.
In addition, the CRJ recently released a report entitled “Racial
Equity in Iowa City and Johnson County”, which can be found at http://racialjusticecoalition.com. I strongly encourage everyone to read
this report! It does a great job of quantifying the racial disparities that
exist right here at home.
Most
importantly, the CRJ is bringing people together to discuss the ways we deal
with our differences. Keep up the great work, CRJ!
*ICCSD Board Candidates
The
filing deadline has passed, and the field is set for school board elections
across the state.
Things
are particularly interesting in the Iowa City Community School District, where NINE
candidates have filed for three seats.
I’ll
have more to say on this race later. But for now, my friend John Deeth gives a
quick list of the players at http://jdeeth.blogspot.com.
You
know it is a big election when 9 candidates are running. Tune in, and be sure
to vote on September 10!
*Policy vs. Politics
There
is a lot of national coverage of politics. Polling data, campaign stops… the
media dissects every word the candidates say in search of a faux pas.
Meanwhile,
there is much less national coverage of policy. Policies are only seen as
political tools.
While
I love politics, I adore policy! And I think much of the voting populace feels
the same way. I hope the old adage, “good policy equals good politics” holds
up! Unfortunately, I’m not so sure this is true locally.
I
know many local voters who have no idea how any Supervisors have voted on any
issue. They do not see what one Supervisor promotes and another opposes. The
public seems to view us as all the same, despite some deep policy differences.
I
would love to see more people pay more attention to the actual policy positions
of our local elected officials. The differences MATTER! But the message to
elected officials is: choose the easiest, least courageous route possible.
Because voters do not care about policy.
Unfortunately, locally as nationally, politics trumps policy. Sad
but true. If you wish to see that change… it starts with you! The September
school elections give you an opportunity.
*Rent and Property Taxes
I
have been battling this issue for almost 20 years now. Some argue that lower
taxes will lead to lower rents. I tell them landlords will always charge the
most the market will bear. Doubters refuse to listen to me because I am not an
acolyte of the Chamber of Commerce.
Unfortunately, I now have an opportunity to prove myself correct.
Last session, the Iowa Legislature passed the biggest commercial property tax
cut in Iowa history. Taxes were not only cut for businesses, but also for
owners of apartment buildings, mobile home parks, and nursing homes.
So
– if you believe, as I do, that rents are a function of supply and demand – you
would expect rents to rise despite these HUGE tax cuts. If you believe, like
the frustrating folks I’ve argued with for 20 years, that tax cuts lead to cuts
in rent – you should expect rents to go WAY down in the leases that begin this
August.
Mobile
home parks, apartment buildings, and nursing homes are all leasing as we speak.
What is the verdict? I’ve checked the papers closely, and spoken to three
different people who work in property management. Each says that apartment
rents have risen substantially this fall. (I know my daughter’s rent went up
7%.) Mobile home park lot rents seem to have risen a tiny bit. I have yet to
hear/see any that have gone down.
The
only place I have heard of that does NOT lump property taxes into rents is
Oaknoll, where each bill contains a line that specifically spells out the
property tax paid. It will be interesting to hear how they address this large
cut. Meanwhile, I have not been able to gather any further information on
nursing home rates.
The
verdict? Taxes went down, but rents went up anyway. That is EXACTLY what I’ve
been arguing. For years.
Look,
it is not that I’m so smart. I’m not. But I’m smart enough to listen to Peter
Fisher of the Iowa Policy Project, who has been saying this all along.
The
Iowa Legislature cut taxes where no tax cuts were warranted. The benefits did
NOT trickle down. Renters have NOT been helped in any way. Saying this may be
bad form, but I told you so!
*DID YOU KNOW?
The Johnson County Attorney’s Office brought in $239,868 in past due
fines in FY13.
Anyone
interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the
County website-
"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.
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As always,
feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to
serving you!
---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 5:01 PM
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