Now that New Hampshire state government is firmly in the hands of the Republican Party again, it’s time to start a dialogue between those who believe in local control and those who will end up paying for services. The question is: Should municipalities be allowed by state statute to raise it’s own taxes and fees beyond what is allowed today.
Municipalities are required to provide certain services through state and federal mandates. If the state or federal doesn’t want to pay for them, shouldn’t the municipality be able to raise enough money to fund them? The only major source of revenue allowed by NH state statute is the property tax. Self-funding user taxes are allowed for motor vehicles and utility bills. Fees such as permits and licenses are allowed.
To the arguments :
“Local taxes will demean the viability of a city resulting in lower vibrancy.” – That won’t necessarily be the case. Let the city decide if they want to take the chance.
“Cities with more services attract welfare and homeless cases.” That’s a falsehood… a fallacy. All cities, towns and county governments are required by state law to provide those services. Allowing them to create a self-funding fee wouldn’t attract any more or any less welfare and homeless cases.
County Commissioner Terry Clark 