The Leftist Neo-Comms approve the massive, underhanded Port Tax increase.

In yet additional reinforcement of the “no-tax-is-too-high” philosophy of the neo-comm, the loyal opposition blog gives it’s blessing to the sheer scum of the Port of Vancouver’s midnight, public-be-damned tax increase.

Are we surprised? I’m not… neither at the sheer gall of these commissioners nailing us with tens of millions of dollars of additional taxes without asking… nor the fringe Left’s acceptance of that plan as a way to govern. They seem incapable of understanding that it is NEVER "government's function" to "create jobs."

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Port going ahead

Good news, bad news, in a way. The Port of Vancouver has voted to enact a massive tax increase, but at least they also voted to wait an entire year in response to criticism they had allowed little opportunity for public input:

Port OKs levy to build industrial area

The new tax will apply to the entire Port district, which includes all of Vancouver, east to Camas and north to near the Clark County Fairgrounds. The 111-square-mile district includes nearly 300,000 residents. The Port currently collects 44 cents per $1,000 in assessed value, which translates to $77 for the owner of a $175,000 home. The additional levy would collect another $78.75 on that house, more than doubling the current rate.

To raise the $60 million, the Port will create an Industrial Development District, which can collect such a property tax for six years and renew it once for six more years. The tax approved Tuesday will be the renewal -- the Port used the system from 1958 to 1963, raising a total of $703,000. The dramatic increase to $60 million is caused by growth, inflation and higher property values.


Now, you say "port taxes" and most people's eyes are going to glaze over. But there are serious issues to consider over the next year, such as why we need to more than double the port tax to create some hundreds of jobs.

Jobs are good, but the oft-used argument that it will reduce traffic problems is open to question. The port could create 10,000 jobs and you would still need a new bridge over The Columbia. Not to mention that this tax will, in effect, compete with the library district, the parks district, C-Tran and the city.
More…