UPDATE: I got word today from a very dependable source that the convention center is a ‘DONE DEAL’ when you talk to the business and banking community. They already have the chess pieces in place to make it happen, with or without the public’s approval. They also are lobbying the legislature right now to do a 3rd penny sales tax to pay for it, but they need their approval first. They are suggesting a ‘sunset’ clause, which never happens. Remember the Pavilion, you know the private non-profit that taxpayers fund in the millions each year even though they have over $14 million in their reserves. The entertainment tax was supposed to sunset after the bonds were paid off. I think that happened about a decade ago, still exists. Don’t be fooled by these grifters. This is a way for the bonding companies to make lots of money off of the backs of taxpayers. Most of the jobs will be hospitality, low wage, part-time with no benefits. Have you ever met a full-time bartender with the Pavilion, Denty, Orpheum, Bird Cage, etc.? NOPE. Because the jobs that will be provided by this convention center won’t make a dent in our brain drain problem. I agree there will be a massive economic impact from the new convention center, it will bankrupt our city.
The council seems to be a little butt hurt over the fact that they haven’t seen an appraisal OR a purchase agreement for the Riverline District, you know, the plot of land some douchey investors want us taxpayers to buy with cheeseburger taxes (entertainment). The problem is the council hasn’t seen a purchase agreement yet, and likely won’t until it if dropped in front of their faces at the last minute. And will the public get to see these documents?
I have concerns, but based on rumors I hear from realtors, at this point it is just pure speculation, but I have expressed privately to current and past city councilors that I have concerns about the purchase agreement due to potential conflicts of interest. It is NO secret that some who sit on that dais have spouses, business associates and other friends who pose major conflicts of interest. It will be interesting to see whose name(s) appears on that document, or will we see a lot of sharpie blackouts? This town gets more corrupt by the second.
Scott, all you have to do is look at the founding of the city way back in 1857. The history of the Seney Island property, and how it has gone from private property to public commercialized property today. Not to be negative, but history always provides the understanding. And in our case, a Group of Iowans laid down our government foundation, while a Group of St Paul natives laid down our Economic System. Follow the money.
What? Our local economic system is based on Minnesota socialism? #WhoKnew?
A Third Penny Sales Tax? Hell. No.
The tax policy which the state legislature should be considering – to rescind a half a penny to a full penny from the taxing authority of municipalities; create for County government that same quantity of sales taxing authority (a half a penny to a penny sales taxing authority).
County government units in this state, existing nearly solely on collection of real estate taxes, are struggling to cover obligations which are constitutionally mandated of county governments (roads and highways; law enforcement; courts and judiciary; care for the indigent).
Municipalities are harvesting collections of both sales and real estate taxes to fund things which are well outside of the role of a municipal government.
Municipalities have proven to be extremely poor stewards of taxpayer resources (looking at you, Sioux Falls).
Does the State legislature have the fortitude to take such a stance on tax policy?
Speaking of the practices of our state government neighbor to the east – one of their methods of paying for facilities like this is to adopt a local area tax (either a general sales tax, or a liquor tax).
Perhaps the Riverline Rats and DTSF will come forward with the tax policy which exacts 1% add’l sales tax in a specific, limited geography surrounding this proposed convention center and downtown Sioux Falls (or 1% add’l drink tax on beverage service in the same geography). Would a special tax levied in a specific geographic area need to be greater than 1%?
Alternatively, how does Progressive Paulie feel about pull tab chariable gambling as the vehicle to fund the dreams of his campaign donors?
Don’t laugh (or show foolish pride).
Pull tabs paid off US Bank Stadium ahead of schedule.
We live in a time when a Kennedy is for Trump and some Cheneys are for Harris. It’s a time when some astronauts can’t make it back, but also a time when an astronaut is returning to South Dakota. The Republicans have nominated a convict, while the Democrats explain to you how to say her name, now wear camouflage hats and listen to country music. It’s a time when national polls get people excited, but it’s really only the ones from PA, Vegas, Detroit, or Sheboygan that matter. Climate change is staring us in the face, but we have all seemed to have turned it down like a thermostat and then gone to bed. I’m not sure where I’m going with this, but these are some very strange times, indeed….. Especially, when a baseball player can play for both teams during the course of one game*. Perhaps, this ball player learned this from some politicians who no longer want to raise taxes as much, or talk Bernie when it comes to childcare, when you know he’s really more like Adolf…. Strange times, indeed.
*
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/mlb-catcher-becomes-1st-player-in-league-history-to-play-for-both-teams-in-the-same-game/ar-AA1ptPkb
What is that slogan Libertarians & extreme right use? Taxation is Theft!
Well, taxation is theft if you don’t believe in democratic institutions, while libertarianism can be theft if self-indulgence goes unchecked and leads to a misallocation and application of resources.
the ceo of rain drop the mayors company is the chair of the board pushing this scam right?