Quote:
Originally Posted by Hesla
The point is that the tax is not just City Council deciding to implement the tax. It will be a plebiscite with a set term for specific projects.
For instance, they will propose a 1% increase on sales tax for a 5 year period of time to fund the building of a new arena and to complete the central library. The people will decide in a referendum if that is something that they want.
It is pure democracy and allows the people to select the projects they want to fund with their tax dollars. It will also hold the city accountable as if there is waste, or if the money is going somewhere it should not, the city will vote down any proposed tax next time.
It is actually a pretty smart idea, and I am usually against any tax increase.
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The direct democracy angle is a great one, and will stop any complaints about a new (hockey rink/museum/library/opera house/lrt line/etc) being a white elephant. If the people voted for it, that's what they'll get.
It also might have a side effect of increasing turnout in municipal elections.