Developers have been saying for years that Lincoln doesn't put enough money into roads in new areas of the city. According to UNL's Bureau of Business Research, they are largely correct. Mayor Beutler supports the report's conclusions and says he is investigating new funding mechanisms.
It wouldn't surprise me at all if one of Beutler's suggestions is some sort of tax increase. Depending on this community's long-term plans and goals for itself, I'm not sure he has much choice. Of course, trying to determine the plans and goals of the community as a whole isn't exactly easy.
Comments
See what your friends and neighbors have to say about this.
Did Beutler promise no tax increase at all or just no tax increase involving the budget deficit?
I believe he campaigned on a promise of no tax increases within the first year.
We could make Cornhusker Highway and Highway 2 into tollways.
It wouldn’t raise a lot, but we should have an anonymous whistleblower hotline where we can report people who are living here and not paying there share: obvious Lincoln residents that register their cars in other counties, people that moved here long ago and don’t have Nebraska tags, people that are driving with expired tags. Does such a tipline exist? My feeling is that if most of us are playing by the rules and paying our share, shouldn’t everyone?
And how about if you work in Lincoln and live in another county? Or go to UNL and live here 9 or 10 months of the year? Cars create the most wear and tear on the roads, should there be a wheel tax or something in those instances?
If you remember my position, I am a big believer in “use” taxes if you have to pay taxes. That’s why I don’t scream about the gas tax and I cheer for the cigarette tax. The usage of those things is in our control. So is the usage of the roads.
The police department doesn’t have the resources to go after the license plate issues. The vehicle must commit a different offense and be pulled over for it. Then the officer can get them for improper tags.
Fletch, I agree with you. I personally know eight people who register in Otoe county and it saves them a surprising amount of money. Especially if they don’t have to pay Lancaster county tax on the purchase price of the vehicle when they first license it.
Share your thoughts with the community.
Commenting is no longer permitted on this post.