The West Hartford Taxpayers Association has, as promised, gathered the necessary signatures to force a referendum on the proposed budget. There’s something to be said for having the public get the last word. But will voters have any idea what they’re voting on? That’s the rub.
May 11, 2007...8:23 am
Budget showdown at the polls
Jump to Comments
3 Comments
May 11, 2007 at 11:33 am
I thought we had “an informed electorate”… after all we have won how many democracy awards?
Well… we’ll just have to get the word out won’t we.
It would be nice if the Town sponsored some sort of debate or information night so both sides can put out their points of view. I am certain the Taxpayers Group will be putting out some information.. We have already provided an online calculator for you to figure out your taxes..
May 12, 2007 at 8:45 am
There’s something to be said for having the public get the last word.
Please recall the ruinous effect direct democracy has had upon California’s once-proud public schools. It all started with Proposition 13, or the “People’s Initiative to Limit Property Taxation”. Yet the West Hartford Taxpayers Association wishes for the town charter to be amended so that any town budget increase exceeding 2.5% goes to automatic referendum (IIRC; not that I found this objective expressed anywhere on their website).
But will voters have any idea what they’re voting on?
Exactly. People are especially anxious right now about higher taxes. In this environment the long-term well being of West Hartford is a harder sell that an ostensibly populist tax revolt.
May 12, 2007 at 12:18 pm
Tettley Turtle?