Fred Palm’s Post

Richland County voters last Tuesday approved extending our transportation penny by over 60%. Passing any transit sales tax is very difficult at best, and as the Chairman of the Midlands Alliance for Better Transportation and Roads, I think there were a number of reasons the penny extension referendum overwhelmingly passed in Richland County.    First, the current penny has been used very successfully in maintaining and improving our excellent Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority/The COMET transit system and Richland County Government has done an outstanding job in improving our roads. Our citizens saw that, and knowing more progress and work needs to be done, voted to approve an extension of the penny.   Second, we had a united leadership in our City of Columbia Government and Richland County Government with elected officials, business and community leaders supporting the referendum. From Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, Richland County Chairwoman Jesica Mackey to newly elected Senator Overture Walker and many others, our elected official spoke with one, clear voice to extend our penny.   Third, Richland County Government did an excellent job addressing the challenges from the 2012 penny referendum to insure the extended penny revenues are spent with transparency and accountability. Only a County Council can under South Carolina law put the transit penny referendum on the ballot, and they did that unanimously. Richland County, Columbia and the Comet, did an excellent job in educating the public on what the penny would do for our community.   Fourth, the Midlands Alliance for Better Transportation and Roads conducted an effective advocacy campaign to Keep Our Penny. Public money cannot be used to advocate for passage of the referendum, so the business community’s support was critical, particularly the Midlands Business Leadership Group and members of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce.     The future for Columbia and Richland County is unlimited. Together state and local leaders have successfully taken on transformational projects like Scout Motors Inc., BullStreet and now the extension of the transit penny. This progress must continue in the future. 

Gwinnett’s Transit Referendum will appear on the November 5 ballot, asking voters whether or not to approve a 1% sales tax for 30 years to fund up to 75 transit projects. Currently, only 11% of residents are within walking distance of transit stops. If approved, the measure will enhance mobility through improved local bus services, microtransit, an airport shuttle, high-capacity systems and additional transfer facilities, excluding MARTA and heavy rail. The continuation and potential expansion of the Gateway85-Norcross microtransit service will depend on the referendum's outcome. The ballot question will read: “Shall a special one percent sales and use tax be imposed in the special district consisting of Gwinnett County for a period of time not to exceed thirty (30) years and for the raising of funds for transit projects?” To learn more, visit the Gateway85 website.

How did MPS calculate a $200 million deficit?(its actually a 252M deficit). From the article: “Key to the referendum request is a projection from MPS that it faces a $200 million budget hole. The referendum, if approved, will fill most of that hole. Critics say the district has not revealed a detailed enough explanation of that deficit or a plan for where the referendum funds would go. Compared to districts in the metro area, MPS' revenue limit is lower than Shorewood, Glendale-River Hills, Brown Deer and Greenfield, according to the report. It is higher than Elmbrook, West Allis-West Milwaukee, Whitefish Bay, Mequon-Thiensville and Wauwatosa.” https://lnkd.in/ggxWZxAj

📢 PM Albanese is forging ahead on Indigenous policy, defending his government's plans post-Voice referendum. He acknowledged the failed referendum but denies it was a vote against reconciliation. He's confident Indigenous leaders support the government's direction. Despite challenges, they're determined to progress Closing the Gap targets.  As the Productivity Commission prepares its Closing the Gap progress update, and with the Stolen Generations apology anniversary approaching, debates are intensifying. Read more: https://ab.co/3ww8rfn #GunawunaJungai #IndigenousPolicy #ClosingTheGap #TaxReform

The MPS referendum passes, handing a huge L to Dale Kooyenga and the MMAC One of the closest elections of the night was the referendum for Milwaukee Public Schools. The final margin of victory was just over 2% for the “yes” vote on raising property taxes to help fund the school district to the tune of $252 million.  The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) got heavily involved in the opposition to this referendum, spending well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, an effort led by its new president, former Republican state legislator Dale Kooyenga.  Perhaps this backfired. This effort may have given referendum supporters a rallying cry against the business lobby. Having a Brookfield Republican in Kooyenga be the face of this opposition effort seemed especially off base for a City of Milwaukee referendum, and enlisting the Scott Walker alums at Platform Communications to help sure doesn’t seem to have been effective.  The MMAC going all-in against this effort, while backing gargantuan levels of funding for highway widening and Brewers stadium maintenance, shows just how misguided this organization can often be in its priorities for the region. It’s long past time for the MMAC to take a good look in the mirror to reexamine if it’s really doing what’s best for the future of Milwaukee. And while this is good news for Milwaukee and for MPS that this referendum passed, the conversations the community has had during this campaign, along with the close result, should send a message to the district that people want something more change-minded and less adhering to the status quo. But because so much of the criticism of MPS is of the bad-faith variety — like the “no plan” rhetoric from those opposing the referendum, despite the very real strategic plan adopted a year ago — legitimate criticism many have for the district can be harder to recognize. But it is there. People are not misguided to be expecting better. It has to be about more than just avoiding cuts. Now, hopefully, MPS will have the resources it needs to do better. Because it has to do better.

Active enduring mutual recognition Last year, in discussion with my son about the forthcoming Referendum, he made the point that there was a need for a simple, clear, compelling case for voting Yes. That was something that we Yes voters failed to do well. A recent reference to an article by Professor Gabrielle Appleby - see https://lnkd.in/gSQnnHXf - drew my attention to her description - Australia is engaging in an exercise of mutual recognition that offers a respectful relationship forward for all Australians. This, for me, is the essence of the case for changing our Constitution. We desire to establish an active form of mutual recognition - because Australians and Indigenous Australians change, if for no other reason, than through generational change. Hence, a preamble or similar is a static form of recognition that easily becomes a "one off event", a "tick box", a "we've done that now, let's move on" approach. Whereas a "Voice" provides for ongoing recognition and engagement. We desire an enduring form of mutual recognition - because First Nations have existed for over 60,000 years and will keep on existing, and because Australia, despite having existed for only just over 120 years, is most likely to keep on existing. So, an enduring form of mutual recognition is most appropriately incorporated into our Constitution. We desire mutual recognition because First Nations have never ceded their sovereignty and because First Nations were not included in the formation of the Constitution, in that not all Colonies recognised First Nations people and a Terra Nullius view prevailed at that time. The Constitution and our system of government has a colonial heritage which will never disappear. Hence, the need for mutual recognition, of First Nations and of the Nation of Australia. This leads me to ask all No Voters two questions: 1) What form of mutual recognition do you propose if you still hold that a Voice to Parliament is not a suitable form to include in the Constitution? 2) What do you propose as an alternate approach, if you deem that "mutual recognition" is not an appropriate way to proceed?

----STAY IN KNOW--- IMPORTANT NOTICE: CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE REFERENDUM Notice is hereby given to the qualified voters of the City of Stockbridge, Georgia, that at the upcoming November election, a referendum will be held regarding proposed amendments to the City's ad valorem tax exemptions for municipal purposes. ---Proposed Amendments: The proposed amendments aim to introduce new homestead exemptions from City of Stockbridge ad valorem taxes for the following groups: ---All Residents: A standard homestead exemption for all residents of the City of Stockbridge. ---Seniors: An additional homestead exemption for individuals aged 62 years or older. ---Residents with Septic Systems: An additional homestead exemption for residents utilizing septic systems for sewage disposal.\ ---Purpose: The amendments seek to provide financial relief and stability to eligible residents, particularly seniors and those with septic systems, by reducing their property tax obligations. ---Details: The terms and conditions of the proposed exemptions, including eligibility criteria, application procedures, and documentation requirements, will be determined by the City Council of Stockbridge. ---Referendum Date: The referendum will be held in conjunction with the November election on November 5, 2024. ---Voting Information: Qualified voters of the City of Stockbridge are encouraged to participate in the referendum to express their support or opposition to the proposed amendments. ----------------------------------------------------------- Questions regarding the referendum? Please email lgaines@stockbridgega.org

*CITY FINANCIAL ROADMAP* On Friday, September 20, Mayor Esser hosted a meeting of Dane County mayors at Sun Prairie City Hall, followed by a press conference on potential referendums. With Sun Prairie's levy projected to exceed state limits by 2026, Mayor Esser highlighted the City Council's recent three-month effort to plan for sustainable funding while maintaining high-quality services. The press conference was recorded by the Sun Prairie Media Center and can be viewed here: https://lnkd.in/gZDeEMpV - - -VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEE - - - The City Council recently adopted an ordinance implementing a municipal vehicle registration fee in the amount of $30. The fee will be collected by the Department of Transportation along with the state’s annual vehicle registration. Fees collected will be placed in a designated fund for transportation-related projects. Implementation of the fee will generate a consistent revenue stream for road maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and other transportation projects, reducing reliance on property tax revenue. It is set to take effect on February 1, 2025. Specific information on the vehicle registration fee can be found by https://lnkd.in/gzSp8yAn - - PLANNED 2026 REFERENDUM - - - If approved by voters, a successful spring 2026 referendum would allow the City to exceed these limits and raise additional revenue to maintain and/or enhance services as the community continues to grow. The referendum will be informed by feedback received from the community following extensive public engagement. To review the Financial Roadmap document, please visit https://lnkd.in/gsPGcSdk

----STAY IN KNOW--- IMPORTANT NOTICE: CITY OF STOCKBRIDGE REFERENDUM Notice is hereby given to the qualified voters of the City of Stockbridge, Georgia, that at the upcoming November election, a referendum will be held regarding proposed amendments to the City's ad valorem tax exemptions for municipal purposes. ---Proposed Amendments: The proposed amendments aim to introduce new homestead exemptions from City of Stockbridge ad valorem taxes for the following groups: ---All Residents: A standard homestead exemption for all residents of the City of Stockbridge. ---Seniors: An additional homestead exemption for individuals aged 62 years or older. ---Residents with Septic Systems: An additional homestead exemption for residents utilizing septic systems for sewage disposal. ---Purpose: The amendments seek to provide financial relief and stability to eligible residents, particularly seniors and those with septic systems, by reducing their property tax obligations. ---Details: The terms and conditions of the proposed exemptions, including eligibility criteria, application procedures, and documentation requirements, will be determined by the City Council of Stockbridge. ---Referendum Date: The referendum will be held in conjunction with the November election on November 5, 2024. ---Voting Information: Qualified voters of the City of Stockbridge are encouraged to participate in the referendum to express their support or opposition to the proposed amendments. ----------------------------------------------------------- Questions regarding the referendum? Please email lgaines@stockbridgega.org

Grrrrrrrr! The Needham Town Clerk certified today that opponents to the town’s MBTA Communities Act compliance plan have submitted enough signatures to force a Milton-style referendum aimed at repealing the plan. A special election will likely be held on Jan.14, pending a formal decision by the select board scheduled for this Monday, the Needham Observer reports. As a result, Needham will be out of compliance with the state law because it will miss the state’s Dec. 31 deadline. Being out of compliance means Needham will lose access to potentially million of dollars in state grants. Among the funding in immediate jeopardy is a possible $20 million project for improvements along Highland Avenue from Webster Street to Great Plain Avenue that been in the works for years. In addition, the Needham Housing Authority has been told it cannot apply for a grant to advance its $84 million Linden Street Redevelopment affordable housing initiative. If voters overturn the plan in January, Needham would remain out of compliance until — at minimum — a new plan is approved which might not occur until late February or March and risk losing more opportunities. In addition, Congressman Jake Auchincloss has said communities in his district that don’t comply with the MBTA Communities will not be eligible for community project funding through his office. “The town provided a moderate, well-studied and data-driven plan to address the town’s housing deficit,” Select Board Vice Chair Heidi Frail told the Observer. “If the town’s voters decide to overturn the vote of Town Meeting, the unfortunate result will be that Needham does nothing to increase housing.” The well-considered Neighborhood Housing Plan was approved by Town Meeting in late October following more than a year of community engagement. It had strong support from housing advocates, environmentalists, businesses and many others. Now those groups — including our chamber — are gearing up for a campaign to defeat this misguided referendum. We do not expect to follow Milton. We will win this battle. https://lnkd.in/eDeNdX3y