Fairfax County General :
Fairfax Underground
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Northern Va. property values are up — and so are bills; Officials debate funding amenities for residents who are “paying more and getting less service.”
Posted by:
Tax and Spend
()
Date: March 13, 2014 07:07AM
Northern Va. property values, and tax bills, are up — but public services aren’t
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/northern-va-property-values-and-tax-bills-are-up--but-public-services-arent/2014/03/12/da814b6c-a949-11e3-8d62-419db477a0e6_story.html
The ranch homes, colonials and McMansions of Northern Virginia are increasing in value — a sign of a regional recovery, economists say, after years of falling home prices and recession.
But higher assessments also mean heftier property tax bills when pay raises are still scarce, the cost of living is up, and roads and schools look worn after repeated government cutbacks.
“What are we getting for our money?” asked Animesh Gupta, 38, a computer consultant who is supposed to pay about $700 more in taxes on his Falls Church brick rambler and is tired of waiting for sidewalk repairs and a traffic light outside his children’s elementary school. “This neighborhood has been neglected. It is just a mess.”
Such aggravation is boring into Northern Virginia officials who want to keep spending down in the still-sputtering regional economy despite growing demands to invest in schools, roads and other services. As counties prepare to adopt new budgets, polarizing debates are underway over whether to raise tax rates for spending projects or lower them to help homeowners who feel besieged by escalating expenses.
Read more here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/northern-va-property-values-and-tax-bills-are-up--but-public-services-arent/2014/03/12/da814b6c-a949-11e3-8d62-419db477a0e6_story.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/northern-va-property-values-and-tax-bills-are-up--but-public-services-arent/2014/03/12/da814b6c-a949-11e3-8d62-419db477a0e6_story.html
The ranch homes, colonials and McMansions of Northern Virginia are increasing in value — a sign of a regional recovery, economists say, after years of falling home prices and recession.
But higher assessments also mean heftier property tax bills when pay raises are still scarce, the cost of living is up, and roads and schools look worn after repeated government cutbacks.
“What are we getting for our money?” asked Animesh Gupta, 38, a computer consultant who is supposed to pay about $700 more in taxes on his Falls Church brick rambler and is tired of waiting for sidewalk repairs and a traffic light outside his children’s elementary school. “This neighborhood has been neglected. It is just a mess.”
Such aggravation is boring into Northern Virginia officials who want to keep spending down in the still-sputtering regional economy despite growing demands to invest in schools, roads and other services. As counties prepare to adopt new budgets, polarizing debates are underway over whether to raise tax rates for spending projects or lower them to help homeowners who feel besieged by escalating expenses.
Read more here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/northern-va-property-values-and-tax-bills-are-up--but-public-services-arent/2014/03/12/da814b6c-a949-11e3-8d62-419db477a0e6_story.html
Re: Northern Va. property values are up — and so are bills; Officials debate funding amenities for residents who are “paying more and getting less service.”
Posted by:
Ferguson
()
Date: March 13, 2014 07:12AM
I am an Arlington County homeowner, and I am puzzled at your characterization of our public services as inadequate. Sure, I would like to pay lower taxes as much as the next guy, but who wouldn't?
Arlington County should serve as an example of a municipal government that serves its citizens properly. Our streets are as safe as anywhere in this country, and are well-maintained, even now when the potholes are a problem but one that the county is dealing with as rapidly as anyone could reasonably hope for. Our water is clean and, except when they are "shocking" the system for a couple months every year with chlorine, tastes better than bottled water. Our refuse collection is prompt and predictable, our sewer service is flawless and helps to keep the Potomac and Chesapeake clean. Our public schools compete even against even the finest private academies, and free classes in many disciplines are offered for seniors and retirees. We have great public parks, and even dog recreational parks. We have wonderful bike paths and recreation centers. Public transportation is excellent. The county even provides free mulch, either leaf or wood, for its citizens, for pickup or free delivery. Nearly everything required to maintain and improve Arlington's quality of life is facilitated by our government.
They control growth and public advertising to preserve the pleasantness of our residential communities, but not the the extent that it becomes oppressive to businesses, which thrive here..
Sure, there is the occasional extravagance. The Aquatic Center appeals to a lower percentage of the citizenry than some find appropriate for something so expensive, but it is nice to have.
Some decry the Columbia Pike Streetcar project, but it promises to transform that corridor, which is the very definition of "shabbiness," into a vibrant urban environment with an increase to the tax base that will more than pay for the improvement over time. Bus lanes woudn't have that effect.
Arlington County should serve as an example of a municipal government that serves its citizens properly. Our streets are as safe as anywhere in this country, and are well-maintained, even now when the potholes are a problem but one that the county is dealing with as rapidly as anyone could reasonably hope for. Our water is clean and, except when they are "shocking" the system for a couple months every year with chlorine, tastes better than bottled water. Our refuse collection is prompt and predictable, our sewer service is flawless and helps to keep the Potomac and Chesapeake clean. Our public schools compete even against even the finest private academies, and free classes in many disciplines are offered for seniors and retirees. We have great public parks, and even dog recreational parks. We have wonderful bike paths and recreation centers. Public transportation is excellent. The county even provides free mulch, either leaf or wood, for its citizens, for pickup or free delivery. Nearly everything required to maintain and improve Arlington's quality of life is facilitated by our government.
They control growth and public advertising to preserve the pleasantness of our residential communities, but not the the extent that it becomes oppressive to businesses, which thrive here..
Sure, there is the occasional extravagance. The Aquatic Center appeals to a lower percentage of the citizenry than some find appropriate for something so expensive, but it is nice to have.
Some decry the Columbia Pike Streetcar project, but it promises to transform that corridor, which is the very definition of "shabbiness," into a vibrant urban environment with an increase to the tax base that will more than pay for the improvement over time. Bus lanes woudn't have that effect.
Re: Northern Va. property values are up — and so are bills; Officials debate funding amenities for residents who are “paying more and getting less service.”
Posted by:
Two Faced Politicians
()
Date: March 13, 2014 07:17AM
25% (~280,000 - ) of Fairfax County's population is Hispanic/Latino - many of whom are of questionable legal status and receiving benefits ... which our state, local and federal government tries to convince us is not happening.
Illegal aliens take $3 in government handouts for every $1 they contribute to the economy ... the bulk of our real estate taxes are for the schools ... if you check the test scores (on line) for all schools that have predominantly Hispanic/Latinos ... test scores are lowest ... these are the schools that risk losing federal funding because they can't keep up ... these are the schools that are sucking up the tax dollars
How are we supposed to keep our tax bills reasonable when we are expected to carry illegal aliens ... for this we have Gerry Connolly to thank ... he was the one who made Fairfax County an illegal aliens haven
Illegal aliens take $3 in government handouts for every $1 they contribute to the economy ... the bulk of our real estate taxes are for the schools ... if you check the test scores (on line) for all schools that have predominantly Hispanic/Latinos ... test scores are lowest ... these are the schools that risk losing federal funding because they can't keep up ... these are the schools that are sucking up the tax dollars
How are we supposed to keep our tax bills reasonable when we are expected to carry illegal aliens ... for this we have Gerry Connolly to thank ... he was the one who made Fairfax County an illegal aliens haven
Re: Northern Va. property values are up — and so are bills; Officials debate funding amenities for residents who are “paying more and getting less service.”
Posted by:
YouCantHaveItAll
()
Date: March 13, 2014 07:20AM
Ah, the old Guns versus Butter quandary. Except now you throw in free health care, free college, free sex change operations, and so on and so on. The governments of this country (federal, state, local) are now responsible for so many things it's inevitable that taxes will go up. And since the taxes even now aren't high enough to pay for it all, and given the inefficiency of government, some services get cut back. It's a vicious circle, for sure.
Until power hungry greedy politicians of both parties start reducing the role of government nothing will actually improve.
Until power hungry greedy politicians of both parties start reducing the role of government nothing will actually improve.
Re: Northern Va. property values are up — and so are bills; Officials debate funding amenities for residents who are “paying more and getting less service.”
Posted by:
HLcEW
()
Date: March 13, 2014 07:21AM
Tax and Spend Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Northern Va. property values, and tax bills, are
> up — but public services aren’t
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-polit
> ics/northern-va-property-values-and-tax-bills-are-
> up--but-public-services-arent/2014/03/12/da814b6c-
> a949-11e3-8d62-419db477a0e6_story.html
>
> The ranch homes, colonials and McMansions of
> Northern Virginia are increasing in value — a
> sign of a regional recovery, economists say, after
> years of falling home prices and recession.
>
> But higher assessments also mean heftier property
> tax bills when pay raises are still scarce, the
> cost of living is up, and roads and schools look
> worn after repeated government cutbacks.
>
> “What are we getting for our money?” asked
> Animesh Gupta, 38, a computer consultant who is
> supposed to pay about $700 more in taxes on his
> Falls Church brick rambler and is tired of waiting
> for sidewalk repairs and a traffic light outside
> his children’s elementary school. “This
> neighborhood has been neglected. It is just a
> mess.”
>
> Such aggravation is boring into Northern Virginia
> officials who want to keep spending down in the
> still-sputtering regional economy despite growing
> demands to invest in schools, roads and other
> services. As counties prepare to adopt new
> budgets, polarizing debates are underway over
> whether to raise tax rates for spending projects
> or lower them to help homeowners who feel besieged
> by escalating expenses.
>
> Read more here:
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-polit
> ics/northern-va-property-values-and-tax-bills-are-
> up--but-public-services-arent/2014/03/12/da814b6c-
> a949-11e3-8d62-419db477a0e6_story.html
". . .a battle over school funding that could lead to a higher tax rate — and even larger monthly payments." - Sharon Bulova
My response: Nope. You will get a 3rd party audit on that school budget from an INDEPENDENT auditing service provider, not your friends and not the local high school econ teacher.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Northern Va. property values, and tax bills, are
> up — but public services aren’t
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-polit
> ics/northern-va-property-values-and-tax-bills-are-
> up--but-public-services-arent/2014/03/12/da814b6c-
> a949-11e3-8d62-419db477a0e6_story.html
>
> The ranch homes, colonials and McMansions of
> Northern Virginia are increasing in value — a
> sign of a regional recovery, economists say, after
> years of falling home prices and recession.
>
> But higher assessments also mean heftier property
> tax bills when pay raises are still scarce, the
> cost of living is up, and roads and schools look
> worn after repeated government cutbacks.
>
> “What are we getting for our money?” asked
> Animesh Gupta, 38, a computer consultant who is
> supposed to pay about $700 more in taxes on his
> Falls Church brick rambler and is tired of waiting
> for sidewalk repairs and a traffic light outside
> his children’s elementary school. “This
> neighborhood has been neglected. It is just a
> mess.”
>
> Such aggravation is boring into Northern Virginia
> officials who want to keep spending down in the
> still-sputtering regional economy despite growing
> demands to invest in schools, roads and other
> services. As counties prepare to adopt new
> budgets, polarizing debates are underway over
> whether to raise tax rates for spending projects
> or lower them to help homeowners who feel besieged
> by escalating expenses.
>
> Read more here:
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-polit
> ics/northern-va-property-values-and-tax-bills-are-
> up--but-public-services-arent/2014/03/12/da814b6c-
> a949-11e3-8d62-419db477a0e6_story.html
". . .a battle over school funding that could lead to a higher tax rate — and even larger monthly payments." - Sharon Bulova
My response: Nope. You will get a 3rd party audit on that school budget from an INDEPENDENT auditing service provider, not your friends and not the local high school econ teacher.
Re: Northern Va. property values are up — and so are bills; Officials debate funding amenities for residents who are “paying more and getting less service.”
Posted by:
Tipper
()
Date: March 13, 2014 07:27AM
YouCantHaveItAll Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ah, the old Guns versus Butter quandary. Except
> now you throw in free health care, free college,
> free sex change operations, and so on and so on.
> The governments of this country (federal, state,
> local) are now responsible for so many things it's
> inevitable that taxes will go up. And since the
> taxes even now aren't high enough to pay for it
> all, and given the inefficiency of government,
> some services get cut back. It's a vicious circle,
> for sure.
>
> Until power hungry greedy politicians of both
> parties start reducing the role of government
> nothing will actually improve.
If you go to the FCPS website and check out the schools that have the lowest performance and highest operating costs ... it will be the schools in districts that are heavily populated by Hispanics/Latinos.
School Districts in higher income areas have EXCELLENT Schools, with great teachers and reasonable class room sizes. The benefit outweighs the expense ... even though these schools get less money than the lower performing schools.
When a Realtor tells you "location, location, location" take him/her seriously.
You CAN have your cake and eat it ... we can eat even more cake and still have some left over if our local pols and General Assembly would stop subsidizing illegal aliens
65% of the Fairfax County Budget is allocated for schools and Health and Welfare (1 of every 8 people in the Commonwealth are on Medicaid ... INCLUDING illegal aliens)
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ah, the old Guns versus Butter quandary. Except
> now you throw in free health care, free college,
> free sex change operations, and so on and so on.
> The governments of this country (federal, state,
> local) are now responsible for so many things it's
> inevitable that taxes will go up. And since the
> taxes even now aren't high enough to pay for it
> all, and given the inefficiency of government,
> some services get cut back. It's a vicious circle,
> for sure.
>
> Until power hungry greedy politicians of both
> parties start reducing the role of government
> nothing will actually improve.
If you go to the FCPS website and check out the schools that have the lowest performance and highest operating costs ... it will be the schools in districts that are heavily populated by Hispanics/Latinos.
School Districts in higher income areas have EXCELLENT Schools, with great teachers and reasonable class room sizes. The benefit outweighs the expense ... even though these schools get less money than the lower performing schools.
When a Realtor tells you "location, location, location" take him/her seriously.
You CAN have your cake and eat it ... we can eat even more cake and still have some left over if our local pols and General Assembly would stop subsidizing illegal aliens
65% of the Fairfax County Budget is allocated for schools and Health and Welfare (1 of every 8 people in the Commonwealth are on Medicaid ... INCLUDING illegal aliens)
Re: Northern Va. property values are up — and so are bills; Officials debate funding amenities for residents who are “paying more and getting less service.”
Posted by:
Bulova = Mafia
()
Date: March 13, 2014 07:31AM
Classic mafia move... The mafia collects protection money. Protection from whom? From the mafia of course... The politician plays the same game. They take your money, fund their own pet projects, until money becomes tight - and then, instead of cutting funding for their pet projects they come back to their constituents and say they need more money for something like school transportation - that is unless you want your little Mary walking to school. You don't want her to get hit by a car or abducted do you? I didn't think so...
Re: Northern Va. property values are up — and so are bills; Officials debate funding amenities for residents who are “paying more and getting less service.”
Posted by:
Again
()
Date: March 13, 2014 07:37AM
Our county is UGLY.
Streets are a mess.
Medians aren't mowed.
Shopping centers are run down.
Businesses don't update or maintain their storefronts.
Neighborhoods are overgrown. Streets are parked up with cars. Archetecture is dull if non existent.
We have limited retailers, mom and pop entrepreneurs, because it's too expensive to have a business in the county.
Most schools are old with no curb appeal whatsoever.
Yeah. I know. There are worse places to live. But where does the money go in this county? Other cities/counties have less money but leave a better impression.
Tyson's is supposed to be an upscale, but it's a concrete mess. No aesthetic charm whatsoever. Driving through, I'd never guess it was a wealthy area of town. It's Annandale with a Tiffany's.
Streets are a mess.
Medians aren't mowed.
Shopping centers are run down.
Businesses don't update or maintain their storefronts.
Neighborhoods are overgrown. Streets are parked up with cars. Archetecture is dull if non existent.
We have limited retailers, mom and pop entrepreneurs, because it's too expensive to have a business in the county.
Most schools are old with no curb appeal whatsoever.
Yeah. I know. There are worse places to live. But where does the money go in this county? Other cities/counties have less money but leave a better impression.
Tyson's is supposed to be an upscale, but it's a concrete mess. No aesthetic charm whatsoever. Driving through, I'd never guess it was a wealthy area of town. It's Annandale with a Tiffany's.
Re: Northern Va. property values are up — and so are bills; Officials debate funding amenities for residents who are “paying more and getting less service.”
Posted by:
DemocraticLeach
()
Date: March 13, 2014 07:43AM
And yet you never hear OWS fags calling the government greedy. Too funny.
Re: Northern Va. property values are up — and so are bills; Officials debate funding amenities for residents who are “paying more and getting less service.”
Posted by:
BEST COMMENT EVER!!!
()
Date: March 13, 2014 07:55AM
Again Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tyson's is supposed to be an upscale, but it's a
> concrete mess. No aesthetic charm whatsoever.
> Driving through, I'd never guess it was a wealthy
> area of town. It's Annandale with a Tiffany's.
HAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tyson's is supposed to be an upscale, but it's a
> concrete mess. No aesthetic charm whatsoever.
> Driving through, I'd never guess it was a wealthy
> area of town. It's Annandale with a Tiffany's.
HAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!
Re: Northern Va. property values are up — and so are bills; Officials debate funding amenities for residents who are “paying more and getting less service.”
Posted by:
dCcjP
()
Date: March 13, 2014 08:01AM
Funding public schools via hoping for increased real estate values or tweaking the actual taxation rate has been crazy, is crazy, and will continue to be crazy as long as we do so! Why should kids living in Great Falls have better equipped schools than their counterparts living in Hybla Valley? Because their parents can buy more valuable real estate? Does this make sense--well, does it??? I don't think so. Other nations collect far more taxes for the public good--yes, public schools are part of that--via a value added tax which, although not perfect, is a much better avenue for public funding of essential services than hoping that real estate bubbles and their attendant valuations will accomplish same. The problem is really that since we are always number # 1 in everything and so exceptional we are unable to learn from others--sad but true.
Re: Northern Va. property values are up — and so are bills; Officials debate funding amenities for residents who are “paying more and getting less service.”
Posted by:
well we didnt know
()
Date: March 13, 2014 08:26AM
HLcEW Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tax and Spend Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Northern Va. property values, and tax bills,
> are
> > up — but public services aren’t
> >
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-polit
>
> >
> ics/northern-va-property-values-and-tax-bills-are-
>
> >
> up--but-public-services-arent/2014/03/12/da814b6c-
>
> > a949-11e3-8d62-419db477a0e6_story.html
> >
> > The ranch homes, colonials and McMansions of
> > Northern Virginia are increasing in value — a
> > sign of a regional recovery, economists say,
> after
> > years of falling home prices and recession.
> >
> > But higher assessments also mean heftier
> property
> > tax bills when pay raises are still scarce, the
> > cost of living is up, and roads and schools
> look
> > worn after repeated government cutbacks.
> >
> > “What are we getting for our money?” asked
> > Animesh Gupta, 38, a computer consultant who is
> > supposed to pay about $700 more in taxes on his
> > Falls Church brick rambler and is tired of
> waiting
> > for sidewalk repairs and a traffic light
> outside
> > his children’s elementary school. “This
> > neighborhood has been neglected. It is just a
> > mess.”
> >
> > Such aggravation is boring into Northern
> Virginia
> > officials who want to keep spending down in the
> > still-sputtering regional economy despite
> growing
> > demands to invest in schools, roads and other
> > services. As counties prepare to adopt new
> > budgets, polarizing debates are underway over
> > whether to raise tax rates for spending
> projects
> > or lower them to help homeowners who feel
> besieged
> > by escalating expenses.
> >
> > Read more here:
> >
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-polit
>
> >
> ics/northern-va-property-values-and-tax-bills-are-
>
> >
> up--but-public-services-arent/2014/03/12/da814b6c-
>
> > a949-11e3-8d62-419db477a0e6_story.html
>
>
> ". . .a battle over school funding that could lead
> to a higher tax rate — and even larger monthly
> payments." - Sharon Bulova
>
> My response: Nope. You will get a 3rd party audit
> on that school budget from an INDEPENDENT auditing
> service provider, not your friends and not the
> local high school econ teacher.
Thats what is really needed, the rest of county services are scrutinized and closely audited. Gatehouse knows the waste, fraud and abuse of our dollars will jeopardize their jobs.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tax and Spend Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Northern Va. property values, and tax bills,
> are
> > up — but public services aren’t
> >
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-polit
>
> >
> ics/northern-va-property-values-and-tax-bills-are-
>
> >
> up--but-public-services-arent/2014/03/12/da814b6c-
>
> > a949-11e3-8d62-419db477a0e6_story.html
> >
> > The ranch homes, colonials and McMansions of
> > Northern Virginia are increasing in value — a
> > sign of a regional recovery, economists say,
> after
> > years of falling home prices and recession.
> >
> > But higher assessments also mean heftier
> property
> > tax bills when pay raises are still scarce, the
> > cost of living is up, and roads and schools
> look
> > worn after repeated government cutbacks.
> >
> > “What are we getting for our money?” asked
> > Animesh Gupta, 38, a computer consultant who is
> > supposed to pay about $700 more in taxes on his
> > Falls Church brick rambler and is tired of
> waiting
> > for sidewalk repairs and a traffic light
> outside
> > his children’s elementary school. “This
> > neighborhood has been neglected. It is just a
> > mess.”
> >
> > Such aggravation is boring into Northern
> Virginia
> > officials who want to keep spending down in the
> > still-sputtering regional economy despite
> growing
> > demands to invest in schools, roads and other
> > services. As counties prepare to adopt new
> > budgets, polarizing debates are underway over
> > whether to raise tax rates for spending
> projects
> > or lower them to help homeowners who feel
> besieged
> > by escalating expenses.
> >
> > Read more here:
> >
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-polit
>
> >
> ics/northern-va-property-values-and-tax-bills-are-
>
> >
> up--but-public-services-arent/2014/03/12/da814b6c-
>
> > a949-11e3-8d62-419db477a0e6_story.html
>
>
> ". . .a battle over school funding that could lead
> to a higher tax rate — and even larger monthly
> payments." - Sharon Bulova
>
> My response: Nope. You will get a 3rd party audit
> on that school budget from an INDEPENDENT auditing
> service provider, not your friends and not the
> local high school econ teacher.
Thats what is really needed, the rest of county services are scrutinized and closely audited. Gatehouse knows the waste, fraud and abuse of our dollars will jeopardize their jobs.
Re: Northern Va. property values are up — and so are bills; Officials debate funding amenities for residents who are “paying more and getting less service.”
Posted by:
Bill.N.
()
Date: March 13, 2014 12:15PM
@Ferguson-Consider yourself lucky. About a decade ago our neighborhood was told we were "on the list" to have roads repaved. Then money ran out because it was being used for various capital projects, the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and the Mixing Bowl, or because the economy turned. Now the roads are in really bad shape, and we are being told not to expect a repaving any time soon. Or you can take our local elementary school. They had to shut down the in room bathrooms because the county was no longer stocking them and "it wasn't fair" that some were useable because parents in the classroom bought paper and others didn't.
@dCcjP-I don't think you get it. Kids in schools in more affluent areas aren't getting a better education because their parents pay more in taxes. They are getting better educations because their kids are not attending schools with large numbers of students who are not capable of working at grade level. Most teachers can handle a small number of students with difficulties such as limited English, inadequate preparation, home issues or learning disabilities. Put too many in a class though and the teacher ends up teaching to those kids and leaves the above average and frequently even the average students to learn on their own. This situation is more likely to exist in lower cost neighborhoods because richer parents would have their kids with issues in schools designed to address those issues, and if the school was still underperforming richer parents would pull their better kids and put them in private schools.
The real problem is not that we are paying more and more in taxes. It is that we are paying more and more in taxes and getting back less and less in government services. The right is in part correct that one reason for this is that we have far too many people in this area with limited commands of the English language and/or limited income who are demanding more and more services. (Of course the part they miss is the reason they are here is that the government subsidizes their wages by providing these services, thus allowing their employers to pay them less. If we forced employers to pick up some of the cost for welfare provided to their employees, this would go down.) Another problem we have is that we have put off spending current money on projects, choosing instead to pay for them with loans which have to be serviced in bad years as well as good. Then when we do have good years, instead of using additional funds received to pay down those loans we instead continue to borrow and either cut taxes or spend on even more projects.
@dCcjP-I don't think you get it. Kids in schools in more affluent areas aren't getting a better education because their parents pay more in taxes. They are getting better educations because their kids are not attending schools with large numbers of students who are not capable of working at grade level. Most teachers can handle a small number of students with difficulties such as limited English, inadequate preparation, home issues or learning disabilities. Put too many in a class though and the teacher ends up teaching to those kids and leaves the above average and frequently even the average students to learn on their own. This situation is more likely to exist in lower cost neighborhoods because richer parents would have their kids with issues in schools designed to address those issues, and if the school was still underperforming richer parents would pull their better kids and put them in private schools.
The real problem is not that we are paying more and more in taxes. It is that we are paying more and more in taxes and getting back less and less in government services. The right is in part correct that one reason for this is that we have far too many people in this area with limited commands of the English language and/or limited income who are demanding more and more services. (Of course the part they miss is the reason they are here is that the government subsidizes their wages by providing these services, thus allowing their employers to pay them less. If we forced employers to pick up some of the cost for welfare provided to their employees, this would go down.) Another problem we have is that we have put off spending current money on projects, choosing instead to pay for them with loans which have to be serviced in bad years as well as good. Then when we do have good years, instead of using additional funds received to pay down those loans we instead continue to borrow and either cut taxes or spend on even more projects.