Regular commentator Mahkno has left a most interesting comment on the Peoria Pundit website that I’m going to shamelessly steal and quote in its entirety here:
Museum folks ran a very push orientated poll this eve. Had a good 30 second to full minute intro about how great the education benefits would be, how much revenue it would bring in (14 million), how many jobs it would create ([250] union jobs), its 86% paid for so far, and how low a burden it would be (25 cents per…).
Would you support a sales tax increase? Mmm no.
What if it were tied to other public service like firefighting and police? Mmmm… no.
What if the tax were only temporary, to expire at some point? LOL… Civic Center? … MMmmm No…
Done.
The statute under which this tax referendum falls is called the “Special County Retailers’ Occupation Tax For Public Safety, Public Facilities, or Transportation” (Sec. 5-1006.5). This statute has been around a while, actually, except that it used to be just for public safety and transportation. The legislature recently amended it to include “public facilities” for the expressed purpose of helping the museum project go forward.
Since the tax can cover not only facilities, but safety and transportation too, it looks like the county and museum officials are contemplating a common political strategy. It happens all the time in Congress. For instance, say you have a pork-barrel project that doesn’t stand a chance of getting through Congress on a pure up-or-down vote. What do you do? You put it in, say, a veterans hospital bill as an earmark. That way, in order to vote against the pork, representatives have to vote against veterans. No one wants to vote against veterans (and certainly no one wants to be on record as voting against veterans), so the bill passes, pork and all. Voila!
The county is at least contemplating the same strategy here. They have an unpopular sales tax referendum for an unpopular museum project, so how do they get residents to vote for it? Of course! Pair it with something people will be reluctant to vote against — like public safety! Who wants to vote against firefighters or police officers? Then they can market it as a public-safety tax instead of what it really is — a museum-funding tax.
Expect the museum-backers to pull out all the stops in this campaign. They’ve already started behind-the-scenes efforts to silence their critics (like me) through intimidation tactics. I suppose I should be flattered that my little blog is perceived as such a big threat.
New Voice: Diane felt you were violating the Terms of Use in your last comment. I think that was debatable, but, hey, it’s almost Christmas. So, Merry Christmas, Diane!
New Voice, your Christmas present will be when I vote “no” on the tax referendum. 🙂
Fair enough.
I just wish I remember what I wrote.
“Diane,
Before you mention it, yes I have been to many Peo Hist Soc, Arts Partners, Wheel o’ Time, etc events. Of course, I have never walked up to you and introduced myself as ‘New Voice,’ have I? If PeoriaIllinoisan wants to blow his cover, that is his business.
Left by New Voice on December 19th, 2008”
How did I get wrapped up in this mess?
“In my opinion, some of the local bloggers have studied the museum issue (and other issues, too) more than some of our elected officials.”
I agree 100%
..and some just think they know more than our elected officials. 😉
Diane,
If you are baiting me………….
I hope that you are NOT implying that ANY of our elected officials are omniscient. If that were the case, many of the current issues [including the museum] would have been resolved without all of this fuss.
Now…if I am NOT overstepping my bounds, do you think that there is ONE elected official – city, county, state, etc – that is truly qualified to make ANY decision concerning the building of a multi-million dollar MUSEUM [or how local historic preservation groups should be run/organized]?
The President forms cabinets and appoints advisors, all EXPERTS in their field [please don’t bring up LaHood as Transport Sec…I can’t figure that one out]. I honestly do not see that kind of input where the museum is concerned…and no, I do not believe Lakeview is capable or qualified to advise on this issue.
However, all THAT aside…please, I am very interested in your opinion as to why this project has met with such opposition, and recieved so little public support. PLEASE?
PeoriaIllinoisan,
Sorry if I was mistaken………
Yes, I spelled ‘received’ wrong…
Sorry, NV, just popped in. Don’t have time for more of your questions.
…but in other news, Jim Maloof gives Bob Manning the devil.
http://www.pjstar.com/opinions/x1179223161/Forum-Mannings-Museum-Square-criticism-unwarranted
That should keep you busy for awhile! 😉
“Again, there was a risk, but the council then was made up of leaders of faith and vision who accepted the challenges that had long-range benefits for everyone.”
…and that would be…………who?
AHHHH Yes…Jim Maloof. The museum expert. Please, Diane you are making it to easy for me to prove my point. Would you really expect anything different from Maloof and the rest of that group?
Can’t wait for Manning’s reply…..!
P.S. Would still love to hear your thoughts on my last question.
To no one in oarticular………
If you go to link Diane provided, you will see ALL of the POSITIVE responses to Maloof’s comment.
Geez! I haven’t even gotten a chance to reply to Maloof yet!!!!!!
NV: Too many humor pills at one time might land you in the ER! Please be careful! 🙂
The Cabinet is whom Jim Maloof described — building trades, Cat representatives, the CEO Roundtable, community leaders, businesses…. not the rank and file taxpayers.
How much do the unions/members contribute to political candidates and then elected officals? Anyone know?
Does anyone know if the pledges have an expiration date? Are the pledges in cash or based on some stock value (which may have plummeted in recents weeks)? Is CAT’s pledge still secure with the latest announced CAT strategic steps to remain a sound and viable corporation?
All questions need to be answered up front — the public has every right to know the details since public financing is being sought.
Love the comment —- ‘Block the Block’.
Is Maloof the real estate Maloof? Real Estate… now there is business known for its ethics and financial acumen. (Adjustable Rate Mortgages… need I say more?)I have held my fixed rate mortgage for 4 years now and even with all the drops in lending rates… PRIME rates, that is, I can not get a lower rate refinance without shelling out thousands. (I have about 30% equity in my home)
But Jim is a great Christmas Caroler!
kcdad — I believe Maloof is a realtor, not a mortgage broker.
I think I did suggest that… do not the two exist hand in hand? Do they not collude with one another in their own business interests at the expense of the actual participants in the transaction? The real estate agent carries the water for the mortgage broker who practices usury to secure loans for the buyer, at no risk to themselves while they take the lion’s share of the interest payments from the loan. “I’ll get you $100,000 from Freddie Mac at 2% and charge you 6%, keeping 4% for myself”. Isn’t that how it works? The agent, tells the buyer he knows this broker… and what that broker offers is a good deal, processes some simple standard forms and takes 3 1/2 to 7% of the sale price (which of course is conveniently inflated by 7-10%to cover those expenses)… plus another 2-5% in fees.
Maybe I don’t understand the business…
I’ll let Diane take this one!! Merry Christmas! 😉
If you go to link Diane provided, you will see ALL of the POSITIVE responses to Maloof’s comment.
My, NV, you’ve been busy 😉
I’ll let Diane take this one!!
Thanks, Swede, I owe you one. Seriously, though, KCDad, where did you come up with this word “collude”? Of course, Realtors and lenders work together to close a loan… but they are 2 entirely separate functions. As agents, we recommend lenders that are reputable and dependable. Many real estate offices even have lenders on premises for the conveniance of their clients. These lenders operate independantly and the loan approval process is between the borrower and the mortgagor and in accordance with federal underwriting standards.
…and NV I will be looking forward to your lecture to KCDad about how he should at least have a basic knowlege of the subject before commenting.
Reputable and dependable… to do what?
How many lenders recommended went under this year?
The process is (as pointed out in Montgomery v Daly) a sham and a farce with too many middle men taking a bite of the apple and leaving the consumer with little more than core.
How much “insider” info does it take before one has a basic knowledge of the subject? I usually don’t go to cocktails parties with the movers and shakers of Peoria Financial Businesses.
None that I know. Merry Christmas, KCdad.
KCDAD does not concern me.
I live in a tent.
You did good, Diane! KC, please know that not all home buyers use a Realtor and most Realtors I know recommend reputable lenders. If a buyer wanted to use an “onliine” lender, most Realtors I know refused to work with them because of the problems involved. Peoria has had a very good real estate market compared to the rest of the country. Lenders rent space inside Real Estate companies for the convienence of the buyers. They wanted a “one-stop shop” and it is good business to provide clients with what they request. It is also good business to explain to the buyer they should check with at least three lenders before making their decision. Ultimately, it is the buyer’s decision who they choose to use as their lender, just as it is their decision which Realtor they choose to use. KC, it sounds as if you have not had good luck with Real Estate agents. Perhaps you should interview several agents next time you are in the market. Knowledge is power.
Diane: you are a realtor and you know that Maloof is not on this planet anymore;bless him for his St. Jude work over the years, bdsut let it go at that. His years as Mayor were spent helping the rich in this City get what they wanted in exchange for his realty company receiving much business and even exclusive arrangements with Cat in sales and rentals for their new people coming in from out of town. His association with Ransberg was self serving, as a matter of fact almost sll of his work was. Manning is twice th public servant.
Thank you Diane. A very Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.
As for you NV… I still can not finish clearing my driveway until you pack up your tent. (Sorry about the snow blower the other morning.) ;^)