Up and up

April 22, 2010 

The April 15 opinion piece from N.C. Policy Watch on taxes and civil society was so very timely and needs to be considered by any serious citizen. One other point about taxes in a fast-growth area: Taxes will always rise in a growing area if citizens plan to retain the same or commensurate amenities. This regardless of the old saw that if you don't grow, you die. Easy proof is available by comparing city size with tax rates. Maybe this gives us reason to question the often said "we need to increase our tax base."

Some of my biggest worries revolve around what cities like New York, Chicago, etc. (and even Raleigh) will do whenever the extensive and expensive infrastructure needs repairing or replacement. Perhaps we just can continue to deny that possibility. An alternative would be to start placing in reserve the funds that will be needed.

Lawrence B. McGee



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