Where have Milwaukee's "progressives" been on this issue? The advocates for the working poor? Why haven't we heard the same objections that were aimed at Scott walker's modest cuts?
Last week, Bruce Murphy pointed out that the city was poised to raise the most regressive fee on its books.
One example is the night parking fee, which is essentially a tax on poor people and some apartment dwellers. Most middle-class homeowners have a garage and aren’t parking on the street. But in densely crowded, older, generally poorer neighborhoods, there are lots of people without access to a garage who get socked a night parking fee. It’s quite unfair....
It’s bad enough the fee exists. But last week the Common Council increased the night parking fee for the first time since 1950, increasing it from $44 to $55 a year. Mayor Tom Barrett still has to review the budget, and could chose to veto this item.
He should. The increase will simply make it harder for poor people to pay for permits, which is already a problem. Many city residents end up getting lots of parking tickets because of this. State statistics show more people get their license suspended because they owe money for parking fines and other tickets. This in turn makes it harder for poor people to drive to work and remain employed. If the goal is to make sure as many city residents as possible are employed, it’s counterproductive to increase the night parking fee. If anything, the fee should be abolished.
This week, Tom Barrett chose Government First, and let the $11 (25%) increase stand.
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Andy - Nov 20, 2009 8:42 AM
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