Buy culture war bonds
Here's one on which I'm torn. The Oregon Historical Society gets a little chunk of the property tax in Multnomah County, and they want the voters to renew it. I'm pretty much a no vote on all these pitches for tax dollars, especially when they use kids as the come-on:
It's for the children, don'tcha know. Isn't it always?
But they've got a better sales spiel on the other side of the mailer. At this moment in American history, with the national government in the hands of the worst leaders we've ever had – people who are hellbent on erasing inconvenient history while destroying our best institutions, the better to serve their Russian cronies – maybe it's good to fight back with a few bucks.
I dunno, it's a hard one. If the museum is really worth it, it ought to pay for itself. People can buy memberships; I'm proud to say I do. If government funding is necessary, the burden shouldn't be placed on the backs of homeowners and renters.
But then again, do you expect the current Portland government to get this right? That is why voters have the power to go over the politicians' heads.
In the end, it's a tough call. This ballot measure will almost certainly pass, but I still haven't decided which way I'll vote. Hive mind, you have the floor.
There are a lot of worthwhile causes. I my opinion, though, it's not much different than preschool for all, homeless services, PCEF. All worthwhile, but where do you draw the line? For those people who feel OHS provides value, let them support it. Not everyone feels similarly. I strongly believe too much taxpayer resources have been diverted from core government functions (police, fire, maintaining roads, water facilities, etc.). Frankly, I'm about tapped out from paying for every initiative some segment of the population feels is needed. The resources in this community are already tight. Maybe if things like OHS have to go away, people will wake up to the consequences of how they've voted to prioritize tax revenue. Taxpayers aren't buckets of infinite cash.
ReplyDeleteMultCo residents still get free admission, which would explain their ongoing need for subsidies (for folks elsewhere - that was a deal worked-out when the levy was originally proposed - pass it, and all County residents will enter for free).
ReplyDeleteIt's an awesome museum, thank you for supporting it, BoJack.
It's not "free". Somebody's paying for it. In this case, all of the taxpayers are funding the admission for a small group of users. Not disputing OHS isn't a good organization but, in my opinion), it's way down on the list of critical community needs that should be funded by tax revenue.
DeleteNot a tough call at all. With my property taxes now at the point where I can barely, just barely make the payments, I need relief! Anything!
ReplyDeleteYou should escape here to WashCo! You will be immediately greeted by a 33% reduction. In addition, the various boards/commissions/appointees seem to know what they're doing and haven't lost sight of the fact that it's other peoples' money.
DeleteAs a Clackamas County resident with a deep interest in Oregon history — and as a member of the OHS I would not hesitate to vote yes if given the opportunity. In the meantime, I would be glad to support the effort with a donation.
ReplyDeleteIf you become a member (at a certain level, at least) you get a locally prodced, quarterly scholarly journal, which I like a lot.
DeleteFor Portland history buffs, check out Steve the Historian on YouTube. He does outstanding deep dives into Portland and Oregon history, covering everything from lost neighborhoods and historic buildings to true crime and forgotten local characters.
DeleteThere are scads of other institutions out there, all good for the kids, all "deserving." Fund 'em all and go broke. Or encourage the creative class to move elsewhere. Soon Portland will be a city for the ultra-rich and the officially poor. This little town has always aspired to be a junior New York. It'll finally happen!
ReplyDeleteTime to say no for everything. If it has value, it will be funded with existing tax money. Our only power is NO!
ReplyDeleteAmen
DeleteEmpathetic Suicide. Death by a thousand cuts.
ReplyDeleteI voted no. Granted, it's a worthy cause, more worthy than many that get tax subsidies, but it's a slippery slope. Isolating your favorites and demanding extra taxes for them is how they get you.
ReplyDeleteI remember when staff at most non-profits accepted that they were going to be paid less than people in the for-profit world. According to the 2024 form 990, the executive director of the Oregon Historical Society was paid $327,000 while the museum director was paid just over $200,000. At least five other staff members were paid over $100,000. I wouldn't want to be forced to contribute to an organization that paid its staff that much.
ReplyDeleteAlso a No vote. It's really just chump change on my property tax bill, although it adds up year after year. But my fury about every other dedicated and/or not-indexed-for-inflation tax I have to pay results in my voting No on everything. Saw no reason to change course for this.
ReplyDelete