Comments on: Election Day: November 2010

By: John Floyd

John Floyd — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 22:05:05 +0000

Bet you will see Carsten Hohnke support an income tax before his next election.

By: Dave Askins

Dave Askins — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 19:21:55 +0000

Re: [12] “Steve Rapundalo is the only Councilperson that I have since seen offer any support for such a tax.”

Budget Committee Meeting Feb. 16, 2010: committee members [in the form of Christopher Taylor] give city administrator Roger Fraser green light to undertake study of voter attitudes on an income tax study. Fraser — who of course does not have a vote on the council — is very much in favor of at least putting the question before the voters.

City council budget work session Feb. 11, 2010: Taylor expresses preference for going to voters directly on revenue (i.e., an income tax) rather than contemplate sale of parkland to generate revenue.

Main Street Area Association candidate forum Oct. 7, 2010: Tony Derezinski expresses support for exploring the idea of an income tax. Carsten Hohnke says he’s open to seeing the question placed on the ballot, but does not say he would be in favor of the income tax itself.

But I would be surprised to see the council take up active discussion of an income tax as an option as it contemplates the FY 2012 budget. That begins on Nov. 15, at the council work session, which among other topics (Argo embankment and merchant operation of composting operation) will include planning the format for the December budget retreat.

By: Rod Johnson

Rod Johnson — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 18:08:05 +0000

I think they voted Greden out for a number of reasons, not least among them the email scandal and his (perceived) arrogance about it. I bet many of the voters had no knowledge of his position on a city income tax.

By: Mark Koroi

Mark Koroi — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 17:28:40 +0000

You’re right Sabra; they voted down Leigh Greden as a result of his support of a city income tax.

Your husband conceded on an old Arbor Update thread that the proposed city income tax died with Leigh Greden’s electoral defeat.

Steve Rapundalo is the only Councilperson that I have since seen offer any support for such a tax.

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 12:03:02 +0000

I’m happy to note that several tax issues did pass at this election. The county Natural Area millage was renewed, the transit millage was approved by the City of Ypsilanti, and police services millages were approved by Ypsilanti Township, Bridgewater Township, and Northfield Township. Dexter and Ypsilanti renewed library millages.

It seems that citizens are willing to pay taxes if they are able to see the clear benefits to themselves.

By: suswhit

suswhit — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 02:43:07 +0000

And also, every tax paying American got a tax cut thanks to President Obama. But the R info machine likes to pretend that never happened.

By: Sabra Briere

Sabra Briere — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 02:16:14 +0000

@KerryD, Ann Arbor has never put income taxes on the ballot, so your assertion that the citizens voted down income taxes is erroneous. Ypsilanti’s citizens rejected that option, however.
Ann Arbor & Washtenaw County recently rejected a county-wide school millage. That’s not quite the same thing.

By: DrData

DrData — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 02:00:30 +0000

Well, if my taxes are lowered I’ll use the $500 and go on a bike trip somewhere. But, we’d better save a little money to send all the unemployed Michiganders to our neighboring states because it takes money to support those who need help.

I guess we can send our prisoners out of state as well, but no state will take them for nothing. But, Texas can take care of them more cheaply. And, then the prison guards in Michigan won’t have jobs either.

By: Kerry D

Kerry D — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 23:36:12 +0000

The impact of the Republican state electoral sweep will be a decrease in taxation of Michigan businesses. Individuals will likely receive relief as well.

Locally, in recent years even the liberal cities of Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor voted down city income taxes.

Clearly, the public is tiring of burdensome taxation.

By: Mark Koroi

Mark Koroi — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 18:25:43 +0000

Governor-Elect Rick Snyder won only one precinct in Ann Arbor, but won the rest of the state easily.

Republican Mark Ouimet has won his Michigan House seat, which partially covers Ann Arbor.

Eileen Weiser won her State Board of Education race.

A red-letter day for the Ann Arbor Republicans.

Congratulations!