Fresh on the heels of the Charlotte-area lobbying effort I wrote about over at Carolina Journal Online today for tax money for a new motorsports track, Queen City ?leaders? are now touting a ridiculous plan to spend $88 million in city tax dollars and $14 million in county tax dollars on new arts facilities in uptown Charlotte. It will ?invigorate uptown,? according to supporters who have already snagged millions to accomplish this not-particularly-critical and seemingly elusive goal over the past couple of decades.
Local governments there are already looking at significant fiscal problems. Basic infrastructure must be maintained. The school system continues to add space. Charlotte-Mecklenburg already has the highest tax burden of any urban area in North Carolina. If policymakers really view new arts facilities as the highest-priority use of $102 million in tax dollars, then they need a refresher course in basic civics and economics.
As a youth, I was involved to a significant degree in the Charlotte arts scene. I benefitted tremendously, as did many others I knew. What?s wrong with expecting those who actually perform in, attend, and value these endeavors to finance them ? and leaving the rest of the public alone to spend their cultural and recreational dollars as they wish?
Oh, yeah, I forgot: such freedom might ?invigorate? other parts of town with fewer powerful political patrons.
