Ann Arbor’s Mayor Totally Up For Million Dollar Tax Increase

Christopher Taylor, the mayor of Ann Arbor is a Democrat. “Ann Arbor currently has a 90%-Democratic City Council and a Democratic Mayor. Some look skeptically on this fact, noting that two previous Democratic Party-identified Council-members, Marcia Higgins and Stephen Rapundalo, ran for office as Republicans, and Jane Lumm the current independent Council member also ran as a Republican.” I think we can easily assume that the city leans overwhelmingly Democrat, right? So, they would have no problem paying more in taxes themselves, right?

Ann Arbor’s mayor seeks 1-mill tax increase to fight climate change

Ann Arbor’s mayor is seeking to battle climate change by proposing an ambitious 20-year tax increase plan to help the city transition to carbon neutrality and renewable energy.

Mayor Christopher Taylor presented the Community Climate Action Millage plan to city council members on Tuesday evening, indicating the 1-mill property tax increase plan would raise between $130 to $150 million over the life of the millage. An estimated $6.5 million would be raised in the first year.

If approved by the city council, the millage would be placed on the Ann Arbor ballot in November. The proposal seeks to follow President Joe Biden’s lead on tackling climate change issues that have caused flooding, increased tornadoes, hurricanes and erratic weather patterns, Taylor said Wednesday.

“Achieving carbon neutrality is a moral imperative, and we need to do everything that we can and do our part,” he said. “We also need to provide new programs and services to everyday residents that respond to the climate change that is already here and the climate change that’s going to be accelerating if we don’t take meaningful action as a society.”

If it’s a moral imperative, surely the city council will pass it and the citizens will approve it, right? If so, what’s your guess on how many move outside the city limits to avoid paying it? And will the mayor and city council members move? Or, just exempt themselves?

“Climate change is the critical issue of our time. It is an existential issue that we are facing as a human race,” said Ann Arbor council member Jen Eyer, who supports the plan. “It’s going to take a big investment in order to implement it. In order to do that, we need to have the funding to do it.”

I’ve added an event to my calendar to follow up and see if this passes in November. Also, if it’s so critical, why are they not banning fossil fueled vehicles in the city? Funny how Warmists love to jump to taxes.