Local governments in a vise, study says

[CornField]

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041216/NEWS05/412160401/1001/NEWS

Iowa cities and counties have raised property taxes, depleted reserves and increased fees while struggling to maintain essential services, according to a report.

The study traces local government actions to the state's budget problems since 2001, as well as escalating health insurance expenses for employees and a slowly growing property tax base.

Local officials are being asked to do more with less, said Peter Fisher, research director of a public policy group based in Mount Vernon and co-author of the report released Wednesday.

The financial stability of local governments is at risk, Ames Mayor Ted Tedesco said at a Statehouse news conference. Cities have been unable to fill the jobs of firefighters, librarians and street maintenance workers because of the financial squeeze.

(more)

[highnooner]

1. We've been dealing with the same thing in NC

I work for the state. This is the first year in a while that we have had any real money to make improvements. But then, we're still using Win95 PC's in many places.

[oneighty]

2. The Ownership Society

Suck it up.

180

[The_Casual_Observer]

3. Well guess what, no money, no essential services.

They can take up collections in church to pay for them instead.

[StClone]

4. I think you touched on something

The more the Republicans "improve" things the worse things get and the less people have, the more Religion they need to survive privation.

[demigoddess]

5. republican inititives have kept taxes down so hard and with the bad

economy our small town has had to fire several city workers, one in charge of checking new buildings for compliance with codes, and a policeman and some park workers. False economy if you ask me but then they had to pass another tax anyway.

[Mari333]

6. If you voted for Bush, and your local taxes are raised

tough shite.
You voted for 4 more years of the deficit.

[Muzzle Tough]

7. It's because they're spending all their money on sports stadiums.

There's plenty of funding for corporate welfare for the rich.