An earlier post argued that a tax on parking spaces that could be used to fund transportation improvements, including transit, was not a "Bolshevist fantasy" and should be taken seriously. Apparently, such a tax may be just such a fantasy. Under pressure from business groups (here and here) upset over the level of property taxes on businesses (in both an absolute sense and relative to the property tax paid by individuals), the provincial government of British Columbia abolished the parking space tax that was recently imposed in Vancouver to help fund its transit system. News reports (e.g., here) described the tax as "much despised."
Note, however, that rather than just abolishing the parking space tax, the tax now will be extended to all property owners. Thus, the action may not adversely affect the amount of revenue generated for transit and other uses. Indeed, it may be a good thing that property owners in a metropolitan region, whose property values are presumably increased by the presence of a public transit system, share in the cost of that system.
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The political problem of assessing a region wide property tax in the 6 counties is obvious. The farmer in Faithorn or Marengo will not want to pay the same property tax addition as the property owner 2 blocks from the Orange Line on Pulaski, and their local representatives will reinforce that position. Maybe a complex formula based on service density (and resulting benefit to the property owner) could be proposed and be more politically palatable.
When you come down to it, all transit funding bills are Bolshevist. To all [transit authorities] according to their needs, and from all [taxpayers or drivers] according to their ability. This is reinforced by commentators to this site who (a) contend that those who benefit from transit, including the riders or property owners served by it, have no responsibility, and (b) don't understand those who question the transit authorities extending service beyond their resources.
One would think that Carole Brown, being an investment banker, would be a capitalist, but she sure isn't in her role as CTA Chairman, always asking for legislative funding, but never embracing reforms. At least the legislative leaders got Daley to force Kruesi out, although we now see that he protected Frank by getting him a D.C. lobbying job for the city (like he was that effective lobbying Springfield). Surely, to each according to his needs with no idea of accountability.
The other problem with this tax is that it is a contradiction to other policies. To implement such a thing, the region has to be pulling in the same direction. For example, Riverside was recently discussing how much to fine developers who did not build enough parking -- I'm sure they're not the only one who has considered or implemented such a policy. Every suburban infill development is potentially sunk because it'll impact parking or "where will we build more parking" or "there won't be enough parking." Local codes are focused on minimum parking requirements. It doesn't make any sense to fine people who build less parking but tax them if they build more. The discussion of parking tax was a "feel good" exercise by a bunch planners, because it punishes "bad behavior" and benefits "good behavior." Never mind that mainly planners believe driving is bad. As far as I'm concerned, zero emission vehicles would be a better focus than trying to get everyone onto the bus.
Bolshevist fantasy? Maybe not fantasy, since Bolshevists "believe in radical socialist principles such as land redistribution and the supreme power of the state."... "Socialism is a broad array of ideologies and political movements with the goal of a socio-economic system in which property and the distribution of wealth are subject to control by the community for the purposes of increasing social and economic equality and cooperation. This control may be either direct, exercised through popular collectives such as workers' councils, or indirect, exercised on behalf of the people by the state."
Exercised on behalf of the people by the state? Sounds like planning to me!
nogiftsplease, please read the Growing Cooler report. Higher fuel economy and lower-carbon fuels are just two legs of the stool; reducing VMT is the third. Right now, VMT growth is projected to wipe out any efficiency improvements in terms of transportation's carbon emissions.
Increased VMT could wipe out the benefits of fuel efficiency. Increased VMT in zero emission vehicles would not (including C02).
さあ、今夏も新たな出会いを経験してみませんか？当サイトは円助交際の逆、つまり女性が男性を円助する『逆円助交際』を提供します。逆円交際を未経験の方でも気軽に遊べる大人のマッチングシステムです。年齢上限・容姿・経験一切問いません。男性の方は無料で登録して頂けます。貴方も新たな出会いを経験してみませんか
みんなの精神年齢を測定できる、メンタル年齢チェッカーで秘められた年齢がズバリわかっちゃう！かわいいあの子も実は精神年齢オバサンということも…合コンや話のネタに一度チャレンジしてみよう
最近仕事ばかりで毎日退屈してます。そろそろ恋人欲しいです☆もう夏だし海とか行きたいな♪ k.c.0720@docomo.ne.jp 連絡待ってるよ☆
最近TVや雑誌で紹介されている家出掲示板では、全国各地のネットカフェ等を泊り歩いている家出娘のメッセージが多数書き込みされています。彼女たちはお金がないので掲示板で知り合った男性の家にでもすぐに泊まりに行くようです。あなたも書き込みに返事を返してみませんか
あなたの性格を、動物に例えて占っちゃいます。もしかしたらこんな動物かも！？動物占いをうまく使って、楽しい人間関係を築いてください
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夏フェス一緒に行ってくれる人募集！！夏の思い出一緒につくろぉ☆ megumi-0830@docomo.ne.jp 連絡してね♪
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Hな女性たちは素人ホストを自宅やホテルに呼び、ひとときの癒しを求めていらっしゃいます。当サイトでは男性ホスト様の人員が不足しており、一日3～4人の女性の相手をするホストもおられます。興味を持たれた方は当サイトにぜひお越しください
実は出会い系には…関係者用入り口があるのを知っていますか？広告主やスポンサー用に用意されたIDではサクラや業者が立ち入ることが出来ないようになっているのです。当サイトでは極秘に入手した関係者用URLが公開されています
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ホムペ完成記念！私の事みんなに知ってもらいたくて頑張りましたぁ。色々とご感想をお待ちしているので思った事を意見してください。メアドはほむぺにのせてありますぅ！★ fan.jna@docomo.ne.jp
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素人ホストでは、男性のテクニック次第で女性会員様から高額な謝礼がもらえます。欲求不満な人妻や、男性と出会いが無い女性達が当サイトで男性を求めていらっしゃいます。興味のある方はTOPページからどうぞ
少し魅惑な自分をネットだから公開してみました。普段言えない事など、思い切って告白しているプロフなので興味ある方はぜひ除いてみてください連絡待ってまぁす。 hinyaaaaa@docomo.ne.jp
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