Nov. 1st, 2007 Hot Button Editorial: Library Tax --Text version

Timing??? Is that the best argument that you can make against this tax??? Are we to wait until the stock market is going gangbusters to finally adopt a mechanism to adequately fund our libraries??? The reason why the level of funding anticipated is so much more than that currently allotted for the library is due to the addition of four libraries almost immediately and the likely addition of a new library in the Newburg community. In addition, relocation or expansion of most existing branches is planned. Many of the existing branches are woefully inadequate due to the longstanding under funding our libraries have experience. Libraries are like every thing else - you get what you pay for.

If Louisville wants to be outshined library-wise by nearby communities including Jeffersonville, Indiana, then we can continue to operate the Louisville Free Public Library on a threadbare, shoe string budget. If we want a library system that serves its citizens in a meaningful way, then we will have to ante up the funds to pay for what we desire. In my view, perpetuating ignorance by continuing to starve our libraries for funds will be more expensive in terms of denying our citizens the life-long learning afforded by a great library system.

The tax is a permanent tax. I have seen no guarantee the money will be used for what it is labeled. Many times they pass a tax that goes into the general fund. It is then raided for every pork project they want to use it for. Another bait and switch is when they guarantee the tax will be used for the library, then cut the funding they were using to support it by the same amount and use it somewhere else. This is just way too unclear and the language is way too deceiving to be on the up and up. I’m definitely voting against it.

Thats because there is no guarantee. Jerry will appoint 5 of his best friends to oversee the spending....

Anyone voting for this has no idea what the longer range implications are. How many times does a tax get passed for one thing and then ends up going for something else? Answer, all the time.

In addition, you give a department a mound of money forever and once they run out of real things to spend it on, you will see it spent on some outrageous things. Happens all the time.

This has nothing to do with the library. The library can be improved with a responsible plan.
You give Jerry and the counsel a free ride because you vote for new taxes and you may as well have a sticker that says "sucker" on your forehead. Vote for it! Maybe we can become the highest taxed city in the country, not just #6 like we are right now!

Since the poll I just read indicates that 70% of people are against this, maybe there are less "suckers" out there than I thought. Perhaps that poll only means 70% of those educated about the subject are against it.

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