This statement was made by Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx in response to the City Council’s bi-partisan rejection of an eight percent property tax increase: “We have just become like Washington, folks. Frankly, it’s disgusting.” Think about the irony of that comment. Last time I checked, Washington was having trouble making cuts. The Mayor also stated that the rejection was possibly, “the most irresponsible decision in council history.” That’s a bold statement, especially in response to a $1 billion capital plan.
The rejection by four Democrats and two Republicans was a responsible decision that avoided spending sprees on items such as a streetcar and a renovation of a sports center. Residents of the city came to public hearings prior to the vote to voice their opinion on this property tax increase. Charlotte residents realize that spending at that amount at a time when unemployment in North Carolina is at 9.4 percent is, to borrow the phrase, “the most irresponsible decision in council history.”
Spending cuts, responsible fiscal decisions, and response to public opinion: maybe Washington should be a little bit more like the Charlotte City Council. Mayor Foxx might want to hold off on the baseless accusations and listen to the people of his city.
A word to North Carolina citizens: stand up to your local governments. Let them know that fiscal responsibility is the only solution to achieve a prosperous society. Let them know that your money shouldn’t be wasted on pointless projects.
I applaud the Charlotte City Council. One step in the right direction.
“Fiscal sanity” lasted for all of an hour at that Charlotte City Council meeting before they voted to give subsidies for an Uptown baseball stadium.