Yes for Jax Advocates are painting opposition as slow and reactionary

[benmarcus]

Read an op-ed this morning in the Times Union in which proponents of the half-cent tax theorize opponents must simply have a poor understanding of the plan and economics in general. Another article in today's paper has Lori Boyer saying people will move out of Jax if there's any sort of property tax increase. I, unfortunately, am more inclined to leave if there ISN'T an increase in revenue. I want my kids to grow up in a city where people understand the collective responsibilities we have to pay for government and improvements to the city.

I'd be more than happy to publicly debate ANYONE on this issue. And I'll bring the hard facts and data, in addition to the moral highground. Since the Mayor refuses to actually address criticism, maybe there's someone else out there.

Growing up in Chicagoland, I know what strongarm politics does to a city. This plan, and the way it's being advocated for, is just the Southern version of the same crap. With millionaires coming up with and pushing the plan, refusing to even consider others, this isn't democracy. It's oligarchy.

[thelakelander]

Another article in today's paper has Lori Boyer saying people will move out of Jax if there's any sort of property tax increase.

I'm not inclined to jump into this debate or compare Jax with Detroit's economic situation but I do not believe our city will decline in population if property taxes were increased. If cheap taxes were a significant factor in population growth, we'd be searching for a way to slow growth, as opposed to struggling to keep up with cities a fraction of our land area. Things have changed since the late 20th century. People move to cities based on quality of life.  I, for one, would be willing to pay more taxes....or even stick toll booths at the county line, if the extra funds would go to some significant quality of life enhancements in Duval.

[benmarcus]

Another article in today's paper has Lori Boyer saying people will move out of Jax if there's any sort of property tax increase.

I'm not inclined to jump into this debate or compare Jax with Detroit's economic situation but I do not believe our city will decline in population if property taxes were increased. If cheap taxes were a significant factor in population growth, we'd be searching for a way to slow growth, as opposed to struggling to keep up with cities a fraction of our land area. Things have changed since the late 20th century. People move to cities based on quality of life.  I, for one, would be willing to pay more taxes....or even stick toll booths at the county line, if the extra funds would go to some significant quality of life enhancements in Duval.

Exactly. It would, in fact, keep people like myself here, and with improvements to the city, bring more people in.