Post Primary 2018
The Primary Election was last week. How will local governments fare? Can we hope these new officials will do right by their constituents and commit to the Contract with the Community as a guide? There were several important results that will speak to what our local governments will look like for the foreseeable future.
Transforming Government: No to Home Rule and Yes to Consolidation
Rockford voters said no to Home Rule for the second time this century. Like any decision, it is important to have context. NIU did a study of home rule in 2002. They noted then that Rockford wasn’t against tax increases, Rockford had been voting to issue bonds for roads paid for by property tax increases repeatedly. Rockford continued to do so until Mayor Morrissey passed the 1% sales tax referendum. The study concluded its not taxes that Rockford objects to. It’s being able to vote for them at the ballot box.
The level of condescension leveled at Home Rule opponents by entities supporting Home Rule was astonishing. Sadly, many of these tactics were also successfully used against exceptional primary candidates. Fortunately, the tactics did not work in the case of Home Rule.
I am not against every home rule power. I am against the power to raise property taxes and sales taxes without a referendum. Limiting the power to raise taxes also protects citizens from mandatory arbitration awards that could force votes on large tax increases by Rockford City Government.
I am against forcing homeowners and property owners into using preferred contractors to comply with inspections. There is a difference between preferred and qualified.
I am for increasing vice taxes and fees. It makes sense because vice negatively impacts more than just the user. I am for nominal fee for service charges to entities using city services. Recouping taxpayer costs makes sense. I am for an expedited timeline to eliminate blight, and for an extended moratorium on developing property after public funds have been used to remove blight.
Now that Home Rule is currently off the table, my hope is its proponents will raise necessary funds for a limited time through the utility tax.
My hope is that the city government will pass make the tax temporary while beginning a campaign to carve out legislation whereby Rockford can adopt any home rule power for any length of time by referendum. Give voters a say in how much they have to pay and how long.
The other referendum was the consolidation of the County Clerk and the County Recorder offices. Consolidation is a very hot topic. Sadly, this choice has very little data to suggest it will save taxpayers any money. If there had been a focus to commit to the Contract with the Community, “We the People” would have a better idea if the consolidation will be a good idea.
The county can pass an ordinance requiring county government to net $100,000 in savings after consolidating the two offices. We will see if they are serious about reducing your tax burden in the coming weeks.
Hopefully the county will put a referendum on the ballot to consolidate election bureaus, a measure with the data to prove it will save tax dollars. Unfortunately, there are vested interests in keeping an “independent” election commission. Let’s hope those interests do not matter more to elected officials than you do.
Overall, this was one of the dirtiest primary seasons in recent memory. Elected officials verbally bashed mothers and families in order to ensure their cronies won. If this is a sign of elections to come, we are definitely in for a bumpy ride.
Reasonable Tax Burden: Rockford Airport
We recently wrote about the Rockford Airport’s effort to increase taxes in the county by extending the size of their taxing authority. Not only does this qualify as Transforming Government, it also qualifies under Reasonable Tax Burden.
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara campaigned saying that his appointments as mayor would reflect his priorities including reducing taxes. McNamara said, “Reducing taxes isn’t a one time thing; it’s an everyday thing.”
County Chair Frank Haney said, “Bottom line: if taxpayer dollars or fees are being spent, then it should be publicly evaluated and reported out. No sacred cows… the goal is to create a continuous improvement culture with a focus on outcomes, not politics.”
If what both these politicians say is true, they should have serious questions for the Airport Board they appoint. The Airport wants to raise taxes, ostensibly to make interest payments for a line of credit they wouldn’t have needed if the application for state funds had been correct.
We think those conversations should be public by having the appointments debated in committee meetings before full council or board votes. The public deserves to hear why appointed Airport board members want to raise taxes. Let’s remember the Contract’s number 3, Reasonable Taxes. If they commit to the Contract with the Community they will demonstrate how additional taxes are reasonable. Everybody benefits. If the taxes aren’t reasonable, we need to put a stop to it. After all, isn’t that what it means to commit to the Contract with the Community?
