[Mpls] Just say NO to spending: 2003 financial reports are out!

[Terrell Brown]

Once again Vicky throws up numbers without context, apparently hoping
they will turn into mud and stick somewhere:

--- Victoria Heller <victoriaheller at comcast.net> wrote:
 
> 2003 Revenues were DOWN by $65.6 million (Table 2)

However $90 million of this was due to a decrease in Operating Grants
and Contributions which spiked in 2002 and returned to their 2001 level
in 2003.

 
> 2003 Tax capacity lower than 1994, despite
>      market values more than doubling (Table 6)

Which has nothing to do with the management of the city but reflects
changes in tax law at made by the State of Minnesota.


> 2003 Bank deposits DROPPED $36 BILLION (Table 15)

Which probably has more to do with banks merging than anything that
resembles management of the city.  Of course the same thing would
happen if people spent money they had saved on plant equipment or
buildings or contributed to other economic activity in the city.

 
> Rather than thinking of ways to spend more money, I think the Mayor
> and
> Council could use your help in finding ways to CUT spending and
> attract new taxpayers.

Am I the only one who remembers the budget cutting that went on when
the current budget was approved.  Has nobody noticed, for example, that
libraries now are open fewer hours and that there are fewer lifeguards
on city beaches?

Sorry, but the numbers presented aren't going to stick anywhere.




Terrell Brown
Loring Park