They would pass a meaningful tax cut if only those other greedy council members would let them
The thing is Cibrian has plenty of earnest energy, but no chickens. When asked on the campaign trail how a tax cut could be accomplished, she had no clue.
But then here comes Wolff, the second-termer from neighboring District 9, throwing Cibrian a timely life preserver.
Last week, Wolff prepared a draft memo outlining how the city should allocate money whenever CPS Energy revenues exceed city estimates.
Can anyone tell me why it is that it is representatives from two of the city’s wealthiest districts that are demanding a tax decrease?
In past years, Wolff has attempted to use the “surplus” to cut the city’s property tax rate by as much as 2.65 cents, which would have meant about $27 for the average homeowner.
Does anyone think that $27 is the type of tax cut that would satisfy those that are demanding a property tax cut?
Let’s face it, Wolff and Cibrian know that they can’t engineer a tax cut that would seriously get the notice of their districts voters. In the first place, the city flat out can’t afford it. That’s why Wolff has proposed a reduction of “2.65 cents.”
Secondly, the biggest chunk of your property taxes goes to the school district not the city. School district taxes are around three times that of San Antonio’s taxes.
But it is a nice set-up for council proponents of tax cuts. They can make proposals, the rest of the council will shoot them down, and
Despite the long odds, Cibrian can team with Wolff and tell her constituents she fought the good fight.
And the next campaign, the candidates can remind the voters that they “tried” to get a tax cut through but just didn’t have the support. How convenient.
I have a suggestion for the city council. The next time Wolff and friends propose a 1-cent property tax, go for it. Suck up the 5.5 million through CPS if possible. If they try to push for anything more that would make a real dent in the voters’ and the city’s budget, tell them to lay out what services they’re going to cut. And then see how much mileage Wolff and Cibrian get out of their tax cut “leadership.”
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Filed under: City Council, Diane Cibrian, District 8, District 9, Kevin Wolff, San Antonio, tax cuts
Reader alert! The writer appears to have an obsession with newly elected San Antonio City Councilwoman Diane Cibrian. Law enforcement officials have been notified.