http://www.myballard.com/forum/ A forum for the Seattle neighborhood of Ballard en Mon, 20 May 2013 22:12:48 +0000 http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157926 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 23:10:51 +0000 iPlod 157926@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>"Maybe there is no working-class family left with a couple of beaters in the driveway."</p> <p>I'm not surprised at all you wouldn't know for sure, Sir Westneat.</p> <p>Take a look around and see they've all been priced out of your radar range to the periphery, just in time for a fuel and rent hike. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157923 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 22:55:52 +0000 onederfullone 157923@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>the car tabs we paid 15 years ago gave birth to Eyman.</p> <p>and now is no time to increase the cost of anything that provides nothing.</p> <p>yes, I said nothing. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157921 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 22:45:17 +0000 great idea 157921@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>I usually agree with Westneat's column, but I think the whole "wrong time for fee increase because of the economy" argument is getting old. if anything, this is more important now than ever, and I think GAM did a great job describing why above.</p> <p>also, Westneat only goes on about carpenters and other blue collar workers, but I know plenty of white collar workers in similar straits (engineers, architects, others in the building design field, etc.).</p> <p>since we paid more for car tabs 15 years ago (before the Eyman initiative), this shouldn't be that big a deal to anyone.</p> <p>btw (slightly off-topic), I miss hearing Danny on KUOW Fridays. Now they have Joni Balter who I really can't stand. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157911 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 20:49:48 +0000 Mondoman 157911@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>Just saw that Danny Westneat wrote on this in his Sunday column: <a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/dannywestneat/2015709558_danny24.html" rel="nofollow">http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/dannywestneat/2015709558_danny24.html</a></p> <p>If you haven't already, please let our City Council members know your views on this. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157714 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 06:56:47 +0000 Mondoman 157714@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>We still have the value-based fee for our Sound Transit portion of the car tab fee. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157713 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 06:56:03 +0000 Mondoman 157713@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>GAM, I don't think any of the proposed $80 fee is going for buses. The proposed $20 Metro fee is for buses, though. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157710 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 06:52:23 +0000 allisonw 157710@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>Yeah, we had that before we got rid of it. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157702 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 04:54:40 +0000 9 157702@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>Yes, a tax based on the value of the car. I lived in a state that did just that, calling it "Excise Tax"; for road usage. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157701 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 04:17:27 +0000 GAM 157701@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>I thought that extra .5% was going towards the stadiums, and now arts organizations. And while it's possible the round-about method of it ending up supporting transportation is true, there are enough leaps in your brief synopsis to render me skeptical (not to be confused with disbelieving).</p> <p>But one thing I think it's important to be clear about, is sales tax in Seattle is only 9.5% ("only"? Sheesh!). It is 10% only in restaurants, bars &#38; hotels (etc.). To say it's 10% city-wide is misleading, and we have too much of that already.</p> <p>What people fail to consider, I think, is the cost of NOT passing taxes. I'm not saying folks should approve all taxes, but, in the case of the transportation fees, if it is going to cost me more than $100 in fuel, time, etc. because I'm stuck in traffic due to everyone forced off busses and onto the roads, well, regardless of how I feel about who should pay for busses, or how well the money is spent, it still is in my interest financially to approve the tax.</p> <p>Please, please, don't confuse this with a validation of everything government does, or a blind acceptance that there is no waste. Of course there's room for improvement - lots of it! But if we don't approve some of these things in the spirit of "teaching the bastards a lesson", we will all be the worse off for it.</p> <p>As a bus rider, it will suck for me to not have the good connections I have now. As a driver, which I also am, it will suck being in heavier traffic.</p> <p>What I'd like to see is more audits of government agencies - like the one that cleaned up the Port of Seattle. Rather than cutting off the funds for government, we just need to force them to use the money well. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157647 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 16:46:45 +0000 onederfullone 157647@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>from</p> <p><a href="http://dor.wa.gov/content/findtaxesandrates/othertaxes/tax_hotelmotel.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://dor.wa.gov/content/findtaxesandrates/othertaxes/tax_hotelmotel.aspx</a></p> <blockquote><p>What are the funds used for?<br /> The funds are distributed by the State Treasurer to the levying cities and counties. They may be used for promotion of tourism or construction and operation of tourism-related facilities. </p></blockquote> <p>Since the elimination of the department of tourism budget, and all related expenditures, all that is left under the state's authority for this added tax, now ten percent in Seattle, is transportation.</p> <p>If, and only if, you believe what they state that money is going to. I don't, it's going into the general fund of The City of Seattle, and from there it is being comandeered by the spandex crowd. Yeah, they are transportation after all. Anti-car, but transportation none-the-less.</p> <p>So, the tab tax will further fund that plank of lunacy, from car owners, for zero representation. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157638 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 14:09:00 +0000 GAM 157638@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>Sales tax in Seattle is 9.5%, since we're splitting hairs and requesting accurate accountability. It just feels like 10%.</p> <p>Restaurants (and hotels?) have an extra 5% tacked on, but I didn't think that was for transportation. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157626 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 06:32:59 +0000 onederfullone 157626@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>Great. Now, show me where, just once, money that they have taken that goes for what they say.</p> <p>Once.</p> <p>The gas tax we approved, putting us highest in the country at the time, was going to pay for the 520 bridge, and the tunnel. wtf? The Sales tax increase to ten percent here in the city, was going to put light rail down, and is just now being called quite over sold. They cannot do what they promised with that money. I dont trust a damn thing they say they will do with our money, and if you do, you are not paying attention.</p> <p>They have no shortage of excuses for the need, the justification, the horrible losses that would result if we don't allow it.</p> <p>We are facing horrible losses with or without this additional money grab. </p> <p>Of course, the kitty approves this message, as he's the only one that really has to hear it. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157498 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 22:28:11 +0000 great idea 157498@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>I think cars are the problem. not buses. not bikes. even when I'm driving my car, I appreciate others who have found a way to get where they're going without driving a car.</p> <p>this tab increase would be well spent, "with some money going toward road repair, but most earmarked for pedestrian, transit, bicycling and neighborhood-safety improvements."</p> <p>what's more important than neighborhood saftey? we all want to be able to get around without getting pegged by some jackass, whether they're in a suburu or on a canon. the money from this campaign will go to advance this, which will only become increasingly difficult as it gets more dense. the infrastructure is already overwhelmed, so any little features, whether crosswalks, bike lanes, traffic round-abouts or what have you will improve things and deserves our money.<br /> I'm great idea and I approve this ad. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157495 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:42:28 +0000 BuffaloHawk 157495@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>I think they should add metered parking to bike racks for extra revenue ;) </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157473 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 17:16:05 +0000 onederfullone 157473@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <blockquote><p>I'll gladly pay this for the return of some services, whatever they may be. </p></blockquote> <p>which services will they return for this money?</p> <p>Please use specific examples.</p> <p>Bottom line, they intend to use this money to retain <em>some</em> services. Not all services, and they aren't returning any that are gone.</p> <p>The cost of what they still do is beyond market value, by any calculation, if you were acting like a true consumer, you'd demand an option. </p> <p>okay, even if you don't see yourself as a consumer, for those of us that do, demand a <em>facebooking</em> option... </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157466 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:10:00 +0000 Alferd Packer 157466@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>RichY and Mondoman, I am getting to the point I agree with the no-more philosophy because a lot of the money passed in bonds like "Bridging the Gap" gets pretty much wasted on proects like Mercer and painting bike sharrows in wheel ruts on heavily traveled streets. The process in Seattle is broken. It's hard to say it because other projects funded in part by BTG are very necessary, for example repaving 85th. Then there is going to be surface street tolling so people don't avoid the tunnel when it gets built. I take the bus every work day, so I still have a soft spot for Metro. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157463 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:48:58 +0000 RichY 157463@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>Mondoman, I agree, also I remember just recently we passed a bond to repair the streets - that seems to have gone somewhere else also. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157458 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:17:13 +0000 DDF 157458@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>I'll vote NO. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157449 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 07:02:03 +0000 Mondoman 157449@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>RY,<br /> the straw that broke the camel's back wasn't taxing cars on their value. The legislature thought that wasn't bringing in enough money, but instead of being honest and raising the tax rate, instead they created an artificial schedule of car "values" based on list(!) price and a slow depreciation schedule so as to artificially raise the "value" of everyone's cars. That dishonestly boosted the taxable amount and thus the tax raised. Not surprisingly, that created a lot of ill-will for the value-based car tabs and helped Eyman.</p> <p>I think the Seattle City Council is risking a similar over-the-top backlash if they go through with this imprudent extra $80 (of which less than $16 will go for the pothole filling, street repair and paving that the city has intentionally neglected for years and years). If that's on the ballot, I'd have to think seriously about voting "no" not just for that, but for the extravagantly-doubled families-and-education levy as well. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157448 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 06:55:34 +0000 RichY 157448@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>At the time Seattle (Western Wa) was the Mecca for our southern neighbors, many had purchased in Oregon to avoid their state sales tax, sold the house at a huge profit came here paid about $3 for $1 on housing and registered the cars (note we have no income tax which was also a draw)- we had passed a law that all vehicles registered in this state must have paid a sales tax or Washington would collect it and add that with our excise tax system (which was deductable on the Fed tax) on cars many from the southern coast were screaming about $4,000 - $15,000 to register the car here and Oregon jumped in and started collecting property tax on vehicles parked in Oregon (the most notable was a $300,000 motor home purchased in Oregon but exempt from tax because the owner lived in WA - Oregon and Washington said tax must be paid property or sales - turned out to be about equal so it was moved to Wash), these were the influx of “newbie’s” that caused our housing to go crazy and created many initiatives to change our tax collection. </p> <p>I was doing some real estate then and I got a call from someone in LA that was moving their office to Seattle ,because it was a great place, and wanted a home on San Juan island , saw it in a magazine and with the WSF system thought he would live there and commute to Seattle every day.</p> <p>Good times </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157447 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 06:38:41 +0000 stopthebuzz 157447@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <blockquote><p>Yeah, I forget where I am, sorry, we cut service here, first.</p> </blockquote> <p>you forgot the word "threaten" in there.</p> <p>I agree with BR as well though. I'm willing to pay more, but I also want that money managed well. Our current transit situation is a mismanaged pile of shit with way too much overhead.</p> <p>Folks new to Washington? hell, everywhere I've lived outside of washington pays a shitload more for car tabs than here. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157440 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 05:26:47 +0000 racerX 157440@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>RichY, "all the new folks to Washington"? How did you come to that conclusion? </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157439 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 05:24:04 +0000 eric 157439@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>"some services, whatever they may be"....geez, don't your sights too high!!! </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157435 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 05:14:00 +0000 great idea 157435@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>the city is broke.</p> <p>$120 bucks is a pittance for most of you. </p> <p>I'll gladly pay this for the return of some services, whatever they may be. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157415 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 03:46:53 +0000 Alysse 157415@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>I just had a talk with a neighbor who is very against the buses and the car tab fees. He said they congest the streets more than they relieve congestion. I can't believe it. Most of the buses I use are almost full for part of the ride. So if all those riders drove single or dual occupant cars wouldn't slow traffic down even more?</p> <p>I don't know about the other tab fees though. What does the city do with that money? Balance their budget? If there are 250,000 vehicles in Seattle, that is $25 million. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157385 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 01:15:24 +0000 RichY 157385@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>BriarRose, It was that way not too long ago but all the new folks to Washington thought that it was unfair to tax things on the value and we required proof of sales tax being paid, they needed the sales slip or they had to pay Wash St sales tax (they still do but their 350,000 motor home now only costs $35 + a year to get tabs). Of course that went out the window at the same time the property tax based of the purchase price and adjusted for inflation was removed – instead, the better for the folks that paid way too much for their house, - area adjusted appraised / assessed valuation we are now using. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157380 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:49:00 +0000 BriarRose 157380@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>$180 seems a small fee for the right to drive a car in this state. I would prefer it be a progressive tax based on the value of the car but one takes what one can get. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157372 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:31:12 +0000 Alysse 157372@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>+1 plasticbags. And, I don't own a car any more because of the "good" buses, and the costs of car owning. The bus system is barely adequate to get me to my new job now. Looking over the cuts documents, I don't think I could get there in less than 2 hours. I see much wasted in the current system, and it mostly is not in the buses. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157370 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:14:34 +0000 onederfullone 157370@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <blockquote><p>Metro would be forced to reduce service by 17 percent</p></blockquote> <p>...or, reduce costs by 17%, which is way past due. </p> <p>Yeah, I forget where I am, sorry, we cut service here, first. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157365 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 21:12:14 +0000 BuffaloHawk 157365@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>SEATTLE, Wash. -- Ten thousand signatures supporting a temporary $20 car-tab fee will be delievered to the King County Council Wedneday afternoon. </p> <p>Funds from the fee would be used to maintain Metro Transit service at its current level. </p> <p>Supporters say without the fee, Metro would be forced to reduce service by 17 percent. </p> <p>Metro Transit released a statement Wedneday saying that transit ridership has seen an increase this summer. Preliminary daily ridership in June increased 5.8 percent from June 2010, according to Metro. </p> <p>The Seattle City Council is also considering a separate $80 car-tab fee that would be used for road repairs and other transportation and neighborhood safety improvements </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157355 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:08:01 +0000 onederfullone 157355@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>...calling Tim...</p> <p>actually, I'm not against this proposal at all.</p> <p>I think everybody on the council should be fired, and I welcome every illustration of that to be made obvious to everyone.</p> <p>Of course, there have been many glaring examples of this need that have not worked to date, so, pile it on, maybe the camel's back will break this decade... </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157347 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:28:01 +0000 Pinupgrl76 157347@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>Here is contact info for King county and City Council members....tell them how you feel about it !</p> <p>Richard Conlin<br /> Phone: 206-684-8805<br /> Email: <a href="mailto:richard.conlin@seattle.gov">richard.conlin@seattle.gov</a> </p> <p>Sally Bagshaw<br /> Phone: 206-684-8801<br /> Email: <a href="mailto:sally.bagshaw@seattle.gov">sally.bagshaw@seattle.gov</a> </p> <p>Tim Burgess<br /> Phone: 206-684-8806<br /> Email: <a href="mailto:tim.burgess@seattle.gov">tim.burgess@seattle.gov</a> </p> <p>Sally J. Clark<br /> Phone: 206-684-8802<br /> Email: <a href="mailto:sally.clark@seattle.gov">sally.clark@seattle.gov</a> </p> <p>Jean Godden<br /> Phone: 206-684-8807<br /> Email: <a href="mailto:jean.godden@seattle.gov">jean.godden@seattle.gov</a> </p> <p>Bruce A. Harrell<br /> Phone: 206-684-8804<br /> Email: <a href="mailto:bruce.harrell@seattle.gov">bruce.harrell@seattle.gov</a> </p> <p>Nick Licata<br /> Phone: 206-684-8803<br /> Email: <a href="mailto:nick.licata@seattle.gov">nick.licata@seattle.gov</a> </p> <p>Mike O'Brien<br /> Phone: 206-684-8800<br /> Email: <a href="mailto:mike.obrien@seattle.gov">mike.obrien@seattle.gov</a> </p> <p>Tom Rasmussen<br /> Phone: 206-684-8808<br /> Email: <a href="mailto:tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov">tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov</a> </p> <p>Jane Hauge<br /> Phone: 206-296-1006<br /> Email: <a href="mailto:jane.hague@kingcounty.gov">jane.hague@kingcounty.gov</a> </p> <p>Julia Patterson<br /> Phone: 206-296-1005<br /> Email: <a href="mailto:julia.patterson@kingcounty.gov">julia.patterson@kingcounty.gov</a> </p> <p>Kathy Lambert<br /> Phone: 206-296-1003<br /> Email: <a href="mailto:kathy.lambert@kingcounty.gov">kathy.lambert@kingcounty.gov</a> </p> <p>Bob Ferguson<br /> Phone: 206-296-1001<br /> Email: <a href="mailto:bob.ferguson@kingcounty.gov">bob.ferguson@kingcounty.gov</a> </p> <p>Joe McDermott<br /> Phone: 206-296-1008<br /> Email: <a href="mailto:joe.mcdermott@kingcounty.gov">joe.mcdermott@kingcounty.gov</a> </p> <p>Reagan Dunn<br /> Phone: 206-296-1009<br /> Email: <a href="mailto:reagan.dunn@kingcounty.gov">reagan.dunn@kingcounty.gov</a> </p> <p>Larry Phillips<br /> Phone: 206-296-1004<br /> Email: <a href="mailto:larry.phillips@kingcounty.gov">larry.phillips@kingcounty.gov</a> </p> <p>Larry Gossett<br /> Phone: 206-296-1002<br /> Email: <a href="mailto:larry.gossett@kingcounty.gov">larry.gossett@kingcounty.gov</a> </p> <p>Pete von Reichbauer<br /> Phone: 206-296-1007<br /> <a href="mailto:pete.vonreichbauer@kingcounty.gov">pete.vonreichbauer@kingcounty.gov</a> </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157328 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:29:44 +0000 plasticbags 157328@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>I think if there was any confidence that the money will get spent as promised, I could feel ok about it. I have absolutely no trust that these guys will keep their promises though. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157324 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:20:47 +0000 racerX 157324@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>stopthebuzz, well said (if you were being sarcastic). </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157322 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:59:55 +0000 stopthebuzz 157322@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>clearly the answer is to hide rather than speak up regarding how your money is spent. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157321 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:42:08 +0000 BuffaloHawk 157321@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>cdpenne+1</p> <p>I have no problem paying the extra $20.00 for metro but I am against the other $80.00.It may be time to get a PO Box in Snohomish county. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157318 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:52:12 +0000 cdpenne 157318@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>If it comes to a vote, I will vote against it. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157317 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 09:38:06 +0000 Mondoman 157317@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>I think the $20 Metro fee would prevent the bus cuts, if I understand it correctly. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157316 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 07:47:09 +0000 SmartsyArtsy 157316@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p>and add in the proposed bus cuts. </p> http://www.myballard.com/forum/topic.php?id=11018#post-157313 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 07:14:55 +0000 Mondoman 157313@http://www.myballard.com/forum/ <p><a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015663662_cartabfee20m.html" rel="nofollow">http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2015663662_cartabfee20m.html</a></p> <p>On top of the $20 Seattle car tab fee already enacted, and the proposed $20 Metro car tab fee, the City is now considering adding an extra $80 onto the car tab fee. I can live with the $20 City fee and the $20 Metro fee, but $80 on top of that just seems like way too much for a regressive tax like this one.</p> <p>Given how much gas prices have risen in the past couple of years, it seems to me that boosting the gas tax a bit or making it a percentage of the sale would be a better funding source, and would also help with the current 520, 405, and I5 funding problems. </p>