[Durham INC] ACTION ALERT: Legislators move to take millions from conservation trusts -- take action now!

[RW Pickle]

In an earlier email,it was stated:

"With the federal and state mandates to clean up our water sources, we are
likely to eventually see our taxes &/or water fees soar unless the state
and federal govts take some fiscal responsibility."

You can place a safe bet that as "things" get more expensive, our taxes
WILL go up. Government, regardless if it's Federal, State, or local is
funded by our tax dollars. Government passes the debt service for all that
it does to us; at every level. So we'll pay for it, whatever it is,  as
taxpayers.

As it stands today, with the State and local government debt burden alone
in Durham, every man, woman and child would have to pay more than $9K
(roughly $37K for a family of 4). Because of this, Durham's economy is
faced with higher taxes and restricted growth. Sure it can get higher if
we let it, but we can turn this spending around and do without more (this
is the BIG "more" as it will touch every citizen we have here).

Why do I say it will restrict growth? Entrepreneurs evaluate the
worthiness of investments based on their anticipated after-tax return.
Higher future tax rates will depress the value of these resources and
cause investors to refrain from productive investment. This will slow job
and income growth. Higher taxes mean fewer jobs and lower wages than would
have occurred otherwise. Bottom line is a lower standard of living for
everyone. Money that could have been spent on new factories, buildings,
jobs has to be directed toward the payment of debt.

Rather than saying "don't let them cut money here or no we need that", you
might suggest where they can start. If we don't slow this debt train down
it will eventually run over us...

Don't worry so much about the trust funds mentioned being robbed. All they
are moving is interest. The trust funds themselves can't be touched and
will continue to generate money well into the future. It's just a short
solution to a long problem... If the State doesn't do something, it's a
trickle down effect to local government that then can't do anything either
because they were counting on funds... It's a vicious cycle. But we are
the folks who will pay if government can't find a way to reduce spending.
Not just at the local or State level, but all the way to the top.

RW Pickle


>  Wrt our waterways in my last email, funding parks and rec is essential.
> Wrt continuing our move toward truly organic, sustainable local produce,
> funding farmland preservation is a must.
>
> Please take the 10 seconds to contact you legislators via the website
> below and ask them not to cut this funding
>
> Melissa
>
>
>       _______________________________________________
> Durham INC Mailing List
> list at durham-inc.org
> http://www.durham-inc.org/list.html
>


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