Peskin's going-way giftBy Tim Redmond
Aaron Peskin, who has generally been a good Board of Supervisors president, gave the city a nice going-away present at his last meeting, moving to call a special election in June to look for ways to raise new revenue.
It's got the mayor's panties all in a wad:
Mayoral press secretary Nathan Ballard said Newsom is in the middle of sensitive negotiations with labor and business leaders that could result in broad support for any cost-cutting or revenue-raising measures, but that Peskin's legislation "threw a money-wrench into the plan."
In other words, Gavin Newsom wants to squeeze labor for every penny he can get, and cut as much as possible out of the city budget -- and the prospect that all that blood on the floor might not be necessary, that there's actually a chance of bringing in new revenue, screws up all of his plans.
Too bad. There's no way to cut $500 million out of the city budget without losing very essential services. Peskin did the right thing; at the very least, new revenue ought to be part of the budget discussions.
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Comments (1)
Obama proposes a stimulus package which in large part is a Tax rebate, so the Brain Trust that is our local Board of Supervisors asks for new Taxes. If every state and municipality raises taxes, this will undermine any benefits the stimulus package may have.
I wish people would think of the consequences before rushing in like fools. There are a number of consequences to increasing taxes including a continuing of rental Property owners pulling out of the rental business and selling buildings as TICs, middle income residence leaving the city as they see few benefits from their taxes, and business relocating in other bay area cities.
Posted by Chris P | January 8, 2009 02:32 PM