Durham Realtors: Don't let the people decide
Via email, Michael points out this post on BlueNC, discussing the tax options facing the Durham County Commissioners, discussed below, and over at Kevin's place today.
Seems the Commissioners are holding a public hearing on Monday to decide whether or not to put either or both of the possible tax increases on the November ballot. To be clear, the situation is a bit confusing. As i understand it, NC voters don't really have the legal ability to vote on binding referenda. But as Kevin explains, counties will have the option of placing a .25% sales tax increase, or a .4% transfer tax increase, or both, on the ballot. If passed, counties will have the option of enacting one or the other, or neither, but not both, of these increases. If only one tax passes the voters' approval, the Commissioners could still decline to enact that tax. If neither passes, then neither tax increase would be enacted.
The Realtors lobby is already gathering steam to urge the Durham County Board of Commissioners to deny Durham voters the opportunity to choose.
Got that? The Realtors are concerned that the tax will be placed on the ballot for voter approval.
Umm, i thought that was one of the hallmarks of democracy. Why are the Realtors afraid of letting the voters of Durham decide what kind of tax, if any, they are willing to enact? Why should a handful of lobbyists deny the overwhelming majority of citizens the right to cast a ballot on this issue?
Seems the Commissioners are holding a public hearing on Monday to decide whether or not to put either or both of the possible tax increases on the November ballot. To be clear, the situation is a bit confusing. As i understand it, NC voters don't really have the legal ability to vote on binding referenda. But as Kevin explains, counties will have the option of placing a .25% sales tax increase, or a .4% transfer tax increase, or both, on the ballot. If passed, counties will have the option of enacting one or the other, or neither, but not both, of these increases. If only one tax passes the voters' approval, the Commissioners could still decline to enact that tax. If neither passes, then neither tax increase would be enacted.
The Realtors lobby is already gathering steam to urge the Durham County Board of Commissioners to deny Durham voters the opportunity to choose.
On Monday, August 13th at 7:00pm, the Durham County Commissioners will hold a Special Public Hearing to determine placing the .25 percent sales tax Option, .4 percent transfer tax option or both on the ballot this November. If the transfer tax is approved locally, the current .2 revenue deed stamp tax would increase to .6 percent. On a $150,000 home, sellers currently have to pay $ 300 at closing. Under this proposed tax, it would increase to $ 900.
It is critical that we have a room full of REALTORS® present to deliver the message that “this is a bad idea” and the impact it will have on housing affordability in Durham.
Please highlight your calendar and plan to join your colleagues next Monday night at the Durham County Commissioners meeting. _We need a strong contingency of REALTORS® present at this meeting_ or else this option will be placed on the ballot for voter approval.
Got that? The Realtors are concerned that the tax will be placed on the ballot for voter approval.
Umm, i thought that was one of the hallmarks of democracy. Why are the Realtors afraid of letting the voters of Durham decide what kind of tax, if any, they are willing to enact? Why should a handful of lobbyists deny the overwhelming majority of citizens the right to cast a ballot on this issue?
Labels: local politics
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