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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2009 : 5:42:14 PM
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Anyone have a feel for how the BOA will vote on the meals tax tomorrow night? If they don't pass it, does it mean the tax is dead? Personally, I thought Millie had the right idea last night, send it to finance and take their time and get it right.
"Deb" |
Edited by - massdee on 08/25/2009 5:51:36 PM |
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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
 Posted - 08/25/2009 : 6:07:15 PM
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If they don't pass it tomorrow night, there's no problem except if they approve it next month it can't go into effect until January. It has to be approved 30 days before implementation and it can only begin at the beginning of a new quarter.
Not the worst thing in the world, but I don't see that sending it to finance is necessary. The money will be paid to the city on a quarterly basis and it goes into the general fund.
We really need the additional income but it doesn't preclude cutting spending and tightening our belts. Or to put it another way, Carlo needs to control spending and the council and boa have to stop caving to him so another family member can get a job!
I'm hearing layoffs will be happening in September & this time I don't think he's going to be able to pull a miracle out of his butt........... |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2009 : 8:52:30 PM
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September is around the corner. Are you hearing what departments are going to be hit? Public Safety or maybe some of his high priced cronies? With the state aid cut, he has to do something. I bet he's really glad he doesn't have an opponent this time around.
"Deb" |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2009 : 9:06:43 PM
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I think that there’s a good chance that this could end up in the Finance Committee. If all six of the current BOA members show up tomorrow night, I can see a vote for acceptance ending up in a 3 to 3 deadlock. Sending it to committee would be a compromise so that the piece doesn’t die. I have no idea when the piece could be reintroduced if it does die. If the piece could not be re-introduced until the next session, the city would lose out of an additional quarter of potential revenue.
That said, I’m not convinced that this piece has to go to committee. To avoid it though, I think that the administration needs to be a little more straight-forward about the importance of passing this at this time. It can’t be talked about in terms of raising money to re-do parks and streets. Even if they aren’t in a position to provide all of the details, it needs to be talked about in terms of money that needs to be raised to run the city this fiscal year. If that’s not done, at a minimum, I’d guess that it will end up in committee.
Having been to a couple of committee meetings in the last year, I don’t necessarily see the value of sending some items to committee. If all parties always came prepared to discuss all of the issues surrounding an agenda item at regular meetings, there would be no need to send some items to committee. Obviously, that can’t be done in all cases. But in this case, I believe that sending it to committee could be avoided with a little honesty. |
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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2009 : 9:41:19 PM
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| The general consensus is it will be the same group that were pegged the last time. Unfortunately, I think he's going to hurt the workers and keep his over-payed friends right where they are....... |
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just wondering
Senior Member
387 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2009 : 10:05:52 PM
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| which high paid friend should lose their job? |
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Marie
Senior Member
114 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2009 : 10:26:07 PM
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| maybe one of the assistant city solicitors. |
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just wondering
Senior Member
387 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2009 : 10:41:25 PM
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| Which one....the one that is also handling purchasing or the one that is in and out of court all week trying to solve the overcrowding and absentee landlord issues? |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2009 : 10:50:33 PM
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Something is going to have to give somewhere. We are going to have to make up the shortfall from the state. I hate to see anyone lose their jobs and sincerely hope there are other places to cut before we start laying off.
"Deb" |
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WhoIsBetterThanYou
Member
3 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2009 : 12:16:13 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by just wondering
Which one....the one that is also handling purchasing or the one that is in and out of court all week trying to solve the overcrowding and absentee landlord issues?
Which One are you?
Who Is Better Than You?....Everybody!! |
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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2009 : 05:31:40 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by just wondering
which high paid friend should lose their job?
You sound a bit defensive .......... How about the one who is supposed to be handling personnel and isn't? Or the one who's causing so many law suits at the city yard? Or the one from Somerville that's never around? Or the one who uses his parking space?
Take your pick.................. If you get rid of any one of them, you can save two clerical positions. You know, the people that actually earn their paycheck? It would be like a buy one, get one.
The point is spending is out of control and people are going to lose their jobs. There's just no avoiding it so let's stop playing games. If you take a long hard look at who the city can truly get along without, some of his staff and new hires fall into that category......... |
Edited by - justme on 08/26/2009 07:03:59 AM |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2009 : 10:13:04 AM
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I give credit when credit is due.
What I see is taxes taxes taxes and businesses getting hit yet again, regardless of how small. Why was there not any type of announcement in the papers? The administration claims no one has complained to them……..but who knew?
STOP THE FOOLISH SPENDING. STOP THE HIGH RAISES LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE. We all have to make adjustments….but not for certain individuals? Let’s keep whamming the businesses that already got stuck with a huge tax burden.
How about coming to the podium with a PLAN? Not just say “This is 240K for the city” then be rude to people that ask questions. I want to understand it, and would like to know what the PLAN is for that money since its taxpayers yet again. It may be small, but it adds up and over time, people will be affected. You could be absolutely right that this is a good thing, I just feel if there was better planning and less spending, it would not be necessary. My opinion means crap so good luck with it.
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I tend to agree with most of this post from Tails. The administration needs to be more open and explain exactly what they intend to do with the money from this tax. Having a "plan", what a novel idea.
"Deb" |
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just wondering
Senior Member
387 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2009 : 10:55:35 AM
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| Why does there need to be a specific plan for the money? If I understand it correctly, the money goes into the general fund. If that is the case, wouldn't the 'plan' for the money be the same as any other receipts going into that fund? |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2009 : 11:43:43 AM
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I believe if the administration appeared before the city council with a "plan", and not waiting until the last minute, they would have a much easier time getting things passed. I am only speaking for myself, but I would like to know exactly where the mayor would propose this money be spent. I am not against this tax.
"Deb" |
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just wondering
Senior Member
387 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2009 : 11:52:40 AM
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I agree with you....and I sometimes wish information was presented in a different manner with more detail.
But
It was the City Council that decided to take the summer off....we aren't privy to any other dates that the Mayor's office may have suggested for these meetings.
This tax has been in the news for months....if our councilors didn't take the time to get up to speed on such an important issue, I put the blame on them. I'd be interested in knowing if any of the councilors called the Mayor's office prior to the meeting to gather information. It's been a few weeks since this topic was opened on this forum....someone knew it was going to happen.
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Joint Convention
