A Proposal: Let Midlanders vote on all of the tax proposals on the same day
The hospital district wants a new medical tower. The stadium people want a permanent sales tax to fund the ongoing operations of the Lemon Bowl. And the Midland Development Corporation still takes millions out of the local economy each year to create job growth stimulus within the Chamber and the MDC itself.
For the sake of argument let us say that we live in a perfect world and that elections are scheduled and timed to best determine the will of the people. (I know, I know....just go with me here.)
So why not schedule a single Saturday sometime in the near future to determine these three issues:
- Hospital Bond Proposal
- The proposal to make permanent the 4(b) Sales Tax in order to pay for the ongoing operations of the Scharbauer Sports Vortex.
- Place on the ballot the question of whether or not to "sunset" or even do away with the 4(a) Sales Tax used for "Economic Development".
All three initiatives to be voted on at the same time on the same day.
Of course this will never happen. The way these things get passed in the first place is to motivate a smallish base of supporters and then gear the timing of the vote in order to minimize the participation of everyone else. That is why you hardly ever see these kinds of things voted on during a national or even state-wide election.
But I can dream can't I?
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7 Comments
I don't suppose it would be legal, or in their charter or whatever rules they go by, for the Midland Development people to fund the hospital tower? That project will do more for Midland than any of the schemes I have heard the MDC propose.........
If people would be concerned about the operating cost when buildings are built not just the construction cost things would be a lot different! Problem is bond money is different than annual budgets which to sell the bond idea they try and shift lifecycle costs to the annual budget. Immagine solar panels on the roofs and in the parking lot of the stadium powering all the lights there. The costs to the city for operating would be fractional of what it is and my even generate money. Why all the asphalt paving when it's rarely used? Other options exists. Watering could be cut with harvesting (storage) rather than add to the drainage problem! Any why fly all those "custom" flags everyday and have the lights on when not in use?
Now to hospital (money pit) they spend money doing landscaping and design a new entry then want to redo all that for a tower? The old original hospital should come down and new tower built there. At some point the citizens will wake up to the mismanagement there as we have with Wall Street and Pennslyvania Avenue.
How about MMH spend a little more money on partnering with better doctors, better care for its patients, and not buildings/remodeling etc. everytime we turn around.
This may be simplistic but I figure people go where they get the most bang for their buck when they can afford it.
I am sitting here in a hospital room waiting for my father to be moved to another hospital where he can obtain the medical treatment necessary for him to live.
After multiple trips to MMH and comparing it to other hospitals we have been to, MMH is sadly lacking in what it takes to provide quality care. In my opinion the current CEO/Administrator should resign or be fired and get someone in that can make our hospital a quality health care facility.
How about MMH spend a little more money on partnering with better doctors, better care for its patients, and not buildings/remodeling etc. everytime we turn around.
This may be simplistic but I figure people go where they get the most bang for their buck when they can afford it.
I am sitting here in a hospital room waiting for my father to be moved to another hospital where he can obtain the medical treatment necessary for him to live.
After multiple trips to MMH and comparing it to other hospitals we have been to, MMH is sadly lacking in what it takes to provide quality care. In my opinion the current CEO/Administrator should resign or be fired and get someone in that can make our hospital a quality health care facility.
FYI
In accordance with Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, as amended, notice is hereby given to the public that the Board of Directors of the Midland Development Corporation will meet in special session, open to the public, at the Beal Park Ranch House, located in Beal Park at 5200 West Business Interstate 20, Midland, Texas, at 11:00 a.m. on March 9, 2009. At such meeting the Board of Directors will consider the following:
1.Hold a joint meeting with the Midland City Council, the Board of Directors of the Midland Football-Soccer and Baseball Complex Development Corporation, and other individuals in order to discuss the long-term goals and development of the City and the use of sales tax revenues collected pursuant to Sections 4A and 4B, Article 5190.6, Texas Revised Civil Statutes.
Walser: Yeah, the MDC is hopeless, the stadium was a mistake but you're not really against improvements at the hospital are you? Just curious. ITG.
A great post Walsingham, and, yes, I have had a similar dream. Would that it could be done.
I have also begun to think that Midlandia is approaching ripeness for a tea party. Select a random Saturday and gather in Centennial Plaza (before any more tax money gets spent on it) and register a peaceful protest against taxation.
The lefties have been pooh-poohing the tax/tea parties as not worthy...we do have representation to go along with our taxes, unlike the Bostonians of 230 years ago.
However, we do have taxation locally that was not voted on and likely will not be. We certainly have appointed officials collecting and spending that money instead of elected officials that can be voted out of office. That seems close enough to taxation without representation to suit me.
It is time.