Forget the recession—-this is why government’s crying and complaining about not having enough money really, really gets under my skin:
City government revenue in each of the Triad’s three largest cities grew faster than population and inflation growth would have predicted from 2002 to 2007. The growth rates were even larger in Burlington and Thomasville, according to a new John Locke Foundation Policy Report.
…..”Many city councils and county commissions are considering ways to increase taxes, a very bad idea during the recession,” added co-author Dr. Michael Sanera, JLF Research Director and Local Government Analyst. “Others are asking the federal government to bail them out. Our report shows that many North Carolina cities and counties have only themselves to blame.”
Before the recession, these local governments spent money faster than population growth and inflation would warrant, Sanera said. “Instead of cutting taxes, they started or expanded unnecessary or low-priority projects.”
Now you know why I’ve been crying and complaining for going on three years now. Some people might think it’s because I’m just a negative person.
