Looks as though we’ll be talking about Better Together for months to come. One major point of conversation certainly will be the need and political viability of an earnings tax for the proposed new city. Realistically, Charles Jaco is right that such tax would assure viability of the new city as it would provide funds for infrastructure repair and maintenance, etcetera. However, Republicans (Rex Sinquefield, et. al.) view the tax as a dreadful harbinger of – oh, horrors, Big Government.
But what opponents of Better Together see is not the potpourri of advantages of one big city, what they see is the historic poor performance of both city and county government. Their conclusion: a poorly performing big city molded from and run by the same self-serving politicians that control city and county government. This perception isn’t necessarily the fault of the individuals serving as mayor and county executive. It is however the result of the wheeling and dealing of wealthy and well-connected folks pulling the strings of government via backroom conversations and promises that will never be made public.
So until citizens are convinced that a united government will work for them, Better Together will never acquire the votes necessary to achieve city-county unity. Until politicians can demonstrate a devoted responsibility to their constituents, city and county will remain as is. And an earnings tax to achieve regional progress will be impossible.
Michael K. Broughton
Green Park
