S S D G

You often hear the expression SS,DD (Same Shit, Different Day). In Toledo yesterday, we saw the local political equivalent SS, DG. I say this because on Tuesday we saw Mayor Bell make a rather dramatic change in his proposed budget , pulling the request before City Council that he had been floating for ballot issue to increase to the city income tax, but leaving in place some other rather interesting proposals in order to reach a balanced budget by the March 31st deadline. 


Some of these were no surprise. An expected request for the unions in the city to begin picking up more of the costs for pension and medical plans was certainly no surprise, nor was a delay in the reduction of the recycling fee (trash tax, for those who are still following this in the courts). Also on the list to bring things back into the black were previously discussed plans for a proposed "Event Tax", which would add $1 to tickets for events (as yet undefined) held in the city and the elimination of Festival Fee Waivers.


The city's attempt to sell some of its real estate assets was also mentioned; though in an interview on WSPD with Brian Wilson and Fred Lefebvre, the mayor and city officials admitted that some of these properties may be difficult to move in the current economy (especially the Erie Street Market). The new and intriguing part of the plan was the proposal to eliminate the 100% reciprocity for those living in the city of Toledo, but working outside of it. This very recent addition was particularly interesting because when the former mayor (who will remain nameless) brought up the exact same proposal in the waning days of his reign, he was immediately scorned and derided for it by City Council, voters, and media alike. Undeterred by the negative response (something I suppose that he had long since become used to), he continued to push this proposal forward at every opportunity, right up to his last day in office. He even suggested that the new mayor would be forced to consider it in order to bring the city budget back into line. 


Somehow however, the overwhelmingly negative response that this proposal was met with only a few months ago seems to have escaped notice when it was announced Tuesday. Somehow everyone seemed to have forgotten the hue and cry that this would chase residents out of the city, destroy the already fragile relationship with the city's neighbors, and ultimately lead to a net revenue decrease for the city. 


Perhaps it's only that Council has not had the time to react to this last minute change in plans. Perhaps with time, strenuous rejection of this proposal will find its way into the media and public voice once again. Perhaps this is simply the last chuckle that the former mayor will get to have at the taxpayer's expense. Without attempting to make any judgment on the merits of such plans, it is easy enough to see that whatever else that this is however, it certainly gives the impression that it is a simple case of Same Shit, Different Guy. 


Maggie Thurber has a slightly different take on this (and her usual excellent analysis) that is well worth reading if you are interested.