As promised, here's a follow up to yesterday's Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane. I would try to sum up in the tax problem as explained by Larry Eichel of the Inquirer and Ed Schwartz, former chair of the Tax Reform Commission, in 53 words or less but Tom Ferrick already did on his blog.
What I can offer my tens of readers, who should include at least these guys, are some soundbites from the show:
- Did you know that Philadelphia is the only city in the country that is a city, county AND school district? Ed Schwartz details how that fact and several others contributed to put the city into this tax mess in the first place.
- Larry Eichel explains how the classic "legislator's dilemma" stands in the way of tax reform. (Could this be one of the negative impacts of cutting services?)
- How do we continue lowering taxes without cutting services? Sorry, Could-be's, you didn't think just clicking on that link would give you the answer, did you? That's up to each of you.
- So it's that simple? Cut taxes and next thing you know, Microsoft, Boeing and Dell will be banging down the doors at the Comcast Tower to move their headquarters here? Not so says Larry Eichel. But at least if they ever did find the so-called "Delaware Valley" they wouldn't be forced to settle in Cherry Hill.
- Tax reform has officially entered the realm of science fiction. When I hear 2013, I think flying cars and soylent green. According to Ed Schwartz the next mayor will be dealing with this well into his or her second term. This could be tough for a group of politicians whose definition of forward thinking is careful consideration at 10am of what they'll be ordering at The Palm for lunch.
If you want to listen to the whole hour, just click your heels together three times and say "there's no show like Radio Times." And when that doesn't do anything, click here.