Yep, Vince Gray is going to raise taxes.

[Anonymous]

The highest taxed jurisdiction can't keep it's budget in order so it's going to tax it's residents even more. Just from a rational standpoint, taking politics out of this can't people see how this is a bad idea?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/29/AR2010102905541.html

[Anonymous]

I think you could cut 90 percent of the DC police force without affecting "service". As a positive side effect, city tax revenues would rise because 7-11s would have to give away fewer free donuts. Even the few decent police officers that do catch the occasional criminal are faced with a justice system that has them on the streets again in minutes.

[Anonymous]

Of course, DC isn't the "highest taxed jurisdiction"--it's actually a bit higher than NoVa, but a bit lower than MoCo, when you take into account all texes. But I don't see a problem with raising taxes if that's what it takes to maintain solvency.

I would like to see a plan to reduce the strain on DC's social "safety-net", though. The most effective way to balance the budget going forward is going to be a continuation of the displacement of the poorest of the poor to MD and VA.

So...short-term tax increases. Long-term gentrification-fueled displacement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course, DC isn't the "highest taxed jurisdiction"--it's actually a bit higher than NoVa, but a bit lower than MoCo, when you take into account all texes. But I don't see a problem with raising taxes if that's what it takes to maintain solvency.

I would like to see a plan to reduce the strain on DC's social "safety-net", though. The most effective way to balance the budget going forward is going to be a continuation of the displacement of the poorest of the poor to MD and VA.

So...short-term tax increases. Long-term gentrification-fueled displacement.

The tax argument is very debatable. For a family making 150k in DC they pay about $2-3k more a year on state taxes in DC. That's relatively high. Then add the fact that DC has huge education problems (lets face it after middle school there are very few public options) that's a $25k - $30k "tax" per child to live in DC. DC should be working at ways to make the District more attractive to live instead of adding more burdens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course, DC isn't the "highest taxed jurisdiction"--it's actually a bit higher than NoVa, but a bit lower than MoCo, when you take into account all texes. But I don't see a problem with raising taxes if that's what it takes to maintain solvency.

I would like to see a plan to reduce the strain on DC's social "safety-net", though. The most effective way to balance the budget going forward is going to be a continuation of the displacement of the poorest of the poor to MD and VA.

So...short-term tax increases. Long-term gentrification-fueled displacement.

The tax argument is very debatable. For a family making 150k in DC they pay about $2-3k more a year on state taxes in DC. That's relatively high. Then add the fact that DC has huge education problems (lets face it after middle school there are very few public options) that's a $25k - $30k "tax" per child to live in DC. DC should be working at ways to make the District more attractive to live instead of adding more burdens.

Well, not sure if you're the target audience for making "the District more attractive [place in which] to live". $2-$3k per year in taxes sure ain't going to do it for me. Whatever they're doing seems to be working though, given the increase in median household income over the last decade, and the fact that the city now boasts the highest per foot property values in the region.

As you say, whether DC has the highest taxes in the area is debatable. But even if it were higher after taking into account the full tax burden, it's generally not something to which DC residents are particularly susceptible. As the crime rate drops, as the schools get better, what's it worth to live a 15 min bike ride to work, and a few blocks from Eastern Market (or Dupont, or Columbia Heights, or whatever floats your boat.) Certainly not going to notice a few hundred bucks a month.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/rawfisher/2008/01/who_pays_more_taxes_virginia_m.html