Erik Spanberg over at the CBJ notes there is already talk amongst some members of the Charlotte city council of going back and “reconsidering” the $8m. in General Fund revenue council voted to spend on a streetcar study. This is being spun as an outgrowth of those dirty, bad nasties in Raleigh monkeying around with the city’s potential revenue sources.
Perhaps.
Allow me to offer several other reasons. Tariq Bokhari. Craig Nannini. Matthew Ridenhour. Martin Davis. Maybe a few more before all is said and done. These fiscal conservatives are going provide voters with an alternative to the status quo leadership which voted for $8m. worth of streetcar study out of scarce General Fund revenue.
Also, consider the “blame Raleigh” approach as a dry run for what might come next — a local property tax hike to sustain status quo spending patterns.
