Comments on: The Right Note: Caution TIFs Ahead

By: Arlingtonian

Arlingtonian — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 03:53:42 +0000

Where would the poor people live? Southeast D.C., Route 1 in Fairfax County, Arlandria in Alexandria, Prince George’s County; lots of other places also accessible to Arlington by bus and/or Metro. There is no reason for Arlington to lower its tax base and tax its non-poor citizens to provide convenient affordable housing for the so-called “poor” (including illegal aliens), while many of Arlington’s residents commute to work in other jurisdictions.

By: JeffB

JeffB — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 17:18:27 +0000

I’m sympathetic to substantive arguments against the streetcar (costs, flexibility, etc.) but when opponents use the word “trolley” to make it sound like a silly idea that should be dismissed out of hand then they loose me. It’s a substantive option and should be discussed seriously.

By: Josh S

Josh S — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:14:55 +0000

By: Josh S

Josh S — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:09:31 +0000

Not exactly. A TIF can also allow you to build something today and use only money from the TIF to pay it for over time. So it’s only the new properties developed as a result of your investment that are used to pay for that investment. The overall tax rate does not necessarily have to go up for anyone.

By: Josh S

Josh S — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:05:29 +0000

Because it’s very impractical to try to implement. Also, there are certain services that must have a basic funding level even if you and many others rarely or never use them (fire fighters, hospitals, ambulences, etc).
I like user fees myself.

By: Josh S

Josh S — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:02:45 +0000

What’s more, it’s only the Incremental increase in taxes that is involved in a TIF. (Tax Increment Financing). So, if the county collects $1,000 this year without the TIF and $1,100 next year after the TIF is put into place, it’s only the $100 that would be spent according to the constraints of the TIF. Obviously, this becomes a bigger and bigger deal as time goes on (assuming rising property taxes over time).

By: Josh S

Josh S — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:59:01 +0000

This doesn’t mean that many local government employees would not struggle to find affordable housing in Arlington.

By: Deadite

Deadite — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 14:39:54 +0000

^^ The defiant ramblings of a defeated man.

By: Chris M.

Chris M. — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 14:28:08 +0000

Awwwww that’s cute. You do realize that it’s the region that matters and that no one in El Salvador would consider themselves “from” North America, right? Trying to squirm out of your wrong answer on a technicality. I’m guessing Layer. Hold that JD up High.

By: John K

John K — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 12:16:51 +0000

Trust, further west on the Pike, it’s a lot cheaper.