Today’s Herald-Sun carries an interesting story about how Durham’s incumbents and fall challengers for mayor and council view the potential transit tax and whether they support or oppose it. Yesterday, Gov. Perdue signed into law a bill that gives Triangle governments the option of putting the transit tax on the ballot. From the story (emphasis is mine):
But even as Perdue was signing the authorization bill, the potential levy was shaping up in Durham as a major issue in this year’s mayoral and City Council elections.
And it sets up as one that mostly divides incumbents from challengers, judging by the candidates’ responses to pre-endorsement questionnaires from the People’s Alliance political action committee and the Independent Weekly newspaper, self-described “progressive†entities.
Is it a coincidence that incumbents support imposing yet another cost on the families they represent? My gut says no. Unfortunately, it is common for an elected official to be swept up into the vortex of ever-growing programs and intervention. A friend of mine who served as a staff member to a government board saw this take place over and over again. My friend concludes that it only takes about six months for the typical board member or elected official to “hop the fence” and consistently side with the system and staff recommendations over his/her constituents.
Transportation is just one of the key issues citizens should be informed about and ask local elected officials — and candidates — about. JLF’s Michael Sanera has created a good checklist. You’ll find it here. Michael discusses the checklist in this Carolina Journal Radio interview.
