Half a Train is No Train: Who Will Pick Up the Bill?

October 26, 2010 Leave a comment

The Federal government will not seed enough money to start construction of a high speed train in Florida.  Even if the Orlando-Tampa section is built, it will bring huge operating deficits, and who will pay for the deficits, but the taxpayers of Florida.  It is conceded that for the high speed train to be “profitable” it will need to include the longest section from Orlando to Miami. Even when completed you may expect to pay substantial operating subsidies.  But at this rate the Orlando-Miami section likely will not be built in our lifetime.

There is no passenger train system or subway in the US that does not operate without taxpayer subsidies.  Washington, DC has one of the most successful and beautiful subway systems in the US and it is still being expanded; taxpayers are paying  about half of the operating costs of that system.

Miami has a great unfinished subway system and it will not be completed as promised.

[Even the great little train at MIA that, finally, is running, took years to complete and came in way over cost.]

Until we have a true federal or regional transportation authority that gets the trains running and that subsidizes trains along with highways and cars, the trains will always be singularly costly projects.

Filed under Florida, Government, Taxes and Fees

Take Note Coral Gables Commissioners: Unpleasant, but Necessary for the Taxpayers

October 18, 2010 Leave a comment

This is probably hurting the firefighter chiefs and officers more than it is hurting the lower ranks.  The upper limit on retirement is unpleasant, but essential.  It is too bad that firefighter unions were so greedy–they are to blame equally with politicians that get us into this stew.

“It’s a very painful time for us,” said Robert Suarez, president of the Miami Association of Firefighters. “Our firefighters are very upset. We are looking at 20 to 30 percent pay cuts. The attendance of the mayor and commissioners would have created a hostile event out of something that is very positive.”

Firefighter salaries were cut between 5 and 12 percent. But after factoring in cuts to other bonuses for education or specialized jobs, union leaders say the actual cuts are more than double. Pensions were also capped at a $100,000 a year payout. The moves were designed to help close a $105 million city budget hole and avoid laying off one-third of the city’s workforce.

via At union’s request, Miami leaders stay away from new fire station – Miami-Dade – MiamiHerald.com.

Filed under Coral Gables, Miami, Pensions, Taxes and Fees

At Least 33 Taxpayers Need Urgent Rescue

October 13, 2010 Leave a comment

(With sincere apologies to the 33 miners in Chile)

There are at least 33 Coral Gables and Miami-Dade taxpayers urgently needing rescue from steadily rising property taxes.  Taxes are exhausting people’s savings, as gradually diminishing budgets are not furnishing them real financial relief.

The 33 taxpayers are praying for some comfort, but government managers, unions and employees are fighting to retain the inflated benefits dispensed by city commissions during ten years or more of unrealistic, mushrooming property values.

Since that wholly artificial prosperity will not be repeated in our lifetime, the 33 taxpayers urge the government to come back to earth, and make real, permanent and significant budget cuts while the economy returns to normal in five or six years.

That is the first great step in the rescue of the 33 taxpayers.

Filed under Coral Gables, Economy, Taxes and Fees

Miami-Dade County: Comparing Real Estate Taxes in the US

October 11, 2010 Leave a comment

Tax Foundation information show that Miami-Dade County–compared to 1,822 US counties with more than 20,000 inhabitants–is ranked 92nd, with 4.61% of median income paid in property taxes; ranked 793, with 0.90% of property values paid in property taxes; and ranked 176, or $2,748, in median real estate taxes.

By national standards Miami-Dade County property taxes has a pretty big impact on incomes and the county is well above average in the dollar amount of property taxes.  This and much more information on property taxes in the US can be found at the Tax Foundation website.

I imagine that from the state and local government’s viewpoint high property taxes more than make up for the lack of a state income tax.  This is the illusion of “no income taxes” except for the very wealthy.  Governments cost so much and they will find ways for you to pay the taxes.

Filed under Miami-Dade County, Taxes and Fees

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