Month: April 2022

A fish at the end of the fisherman’s line may or may not know that it just had a bad idea. Not Paris taxpayers. When we grab a-hold of a bad idea, we think it’s wonderful. We must be the most gullible breed of taxpayer. On that point, we’re hooked on the idea that tax subsidy programs, cash economic incentives, and restrictive improvement rules and a closer incestuous relationship between the Three Mustyrears will spur community and economic growth.

We have such a mouthful of that bait, we can’t answer the simple question, “Where does government get its money?”

While we’re floundering around in the muddy water of government inspired inflation, higher taxes, and a disintegrating society, with the line getting shorter to the frying pan, we’re still believing that paying out cash in the form of grants and relinquishing revenue (thru’ tax abatement, fee waivers, and other subsidizes, such as a special tax for a special purpose – examples being the PEDC, the Visitor’s Tax, TIF Districts, a new ridiculous ‘5 for 5’ Program’ or the recently recommended PACE Program) – promotes growth in the private sector, and that higher taxes will make everything alright.

Studies show that hungry cities, like hungry fish, often do desperate and – usually – dumb things.

We forget that, at its core, every government program sold as a public purpose has a way to fleece the public.

Consider: After 2-years of government mandated mask wearing and shutdown of businesses, schools, and social gatherings, for this fiscal year the City of Paris hit taxpayers with a 3.5% tax increase; the highest allowed by law (without a vote). This, on top of a series of yearly rate increases on water and sewer bills that add millions to the budget annually.

The results? The City’s revenue budget for this fiscal year is $58.6-million, which includes an operational budget of $47.3 million (a $7.3 million increase).

We’ve done this after two decades has resulted in a loss of population inside the city limits, according to U. S. Census reports, while most of Texas has seen rapid growth.

Like most government programs the promotion is better than the product. Listen to government and everything sounds good. So does an artificial bait to a fish.

Instead of contributing or building a prosperous economy for all Paris families and promoting the creation of good jobs over the last 25-30 years, Paris has actually deepened the expenses of small businesses, created income inequalities for working families, encourage blight and decay in many neighborhoods, and increased the tax burden on every citizen. This is not good government.

But whose fault is it?

Good government can only be achieved by its citizens.

Based on the Paris Chamber’s knowledge of economic incentive programs, gained through years of community and economic development work, we believe that every citizen should be held accountable for the actions of their government. Good government is their responsibility.

It’s why we have a vote.

The development and implementation of policies that encourage private business investments in local families and neighborhoods, encourage business growth and innovation, and reward taxpayers are how communities are likely to achieve success.

The good stuff is free from chemicals, harmful organisms and weed seeds. At least, that’s what we’re told. The good stuff is the plants and produce that are grown without the use of artificial pesticides, herbicides; and organic livestock for our meat, eggs, and dairy are raised on only organic feed – free from hormones, steroids, and antibiotics.

In short, the commonplace definition for anything labeled “organic” in a grocery store is free of man-made chemicals.

Most of the stuff that Paris citizens are told is also organic –

Currently, we’re told to celebrate the fact that the City of Paris is giving “incentives” to four businesses and, especially, the owner of the Towne Center Shopping Center.

The owner gets a 5-year, 50% property tax abatement (worth $167,500-or so). Then, a 50% reduction of the 2.5% local sales tax for 3-years go to the four stores, which is another $300,000 (rough guess).

Then, the city claimed all this would add around $70,000 of new income for the city. But wouldn’t that be losing income, as an anticipated one-half of the sales tax goes to each store? Or even a percentage of replacement income, as these outlets only fill spaces vacated when four stores previously closed?

If we had given those stores the same incentives, would they still be here?

If this new policy works, why not try and be as generous to every business in Paris? Think how much “new income” that would generate–

But how long can you continue to rob Peter to pay Paul? Taxpayers with inquiring minds or no minds at all want to know . . .

Since July 1989, the following has been the policy of the City of Paris:

  • (1) a spokesman for what used to be the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce was quoted in the Paris News as saying that no incentives would be available for retail businesses
  • (2) A Director of the PEDC stated to the head of real estate development department of a large retail outlet chain that no incentives are available for retail.
  • (3) City of Paris officials told the top 3 officers of a $1.5 billion firm that was interested in building a shopping center on the west side of Paris that no local incentives are available (and businesses don’t do well on the west side of Paris).

The city can talk about how it can make money by giving away money, but the Paris Texas Chamber of Commerce knows manure when we we hear it. The same goes for the ridiculous claims that the state’s Chapter 380 Program could add to the city’s tax base and increase revenues.

The only thing for sure is that somebody wins and somebody loses . . .

Under this new policy, local retail businesses are force to subsidize the new retail businesses. It’s a way to finance competition for those forced to pay full taxes. Or, a really stupid way of penalizing them.

Organic fertilizer is also called “organic manure” as it is made from animal waste or animal and plant residues. Examples are livestock and poultry manure, guano, finely pulverized fish, dried and powdered blood, ground bone, crushed shells, phosphate rock, and wood.

In terms of nutrients, a radish or a tomato or an ear of corn or a potato doesn’t know the difference between conventional or organic fertilizers.

So a lot of folks are willing to pay a higher price for manure-based food, which is no big deal: Citizens of Paris are paying to be fed the basic ingredient.

For years, Affordable Housing . . . .

. . . .was the subject the City of Paris, Texas, the Paris Economic Development Corporation (PEDC), and What Used to be the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce, bragged about the low costs of living in Paris. But what they refused to acknowledge was that “the low costs’ came in housing – substandard and historically-obsolete housing, which the Paris Texas Chamber repeatedly warned was not an asset.

Now, it’s a hot topic by people who don’t have a worthwhile idea of what to do about it any more than a week-long drunk Bessiebug.

Less than half the homes in Paris are owner occupied. 3,000 Properties are on tax-delinquent lists. The city is holding title to over 600 properties, and can’t maintain them. It could have three times as many, but doesn’t know what to do with the ones they already own. Adding to the problem, too many landlords have been and are excused from any attempts to maintain their properties. Or in some instances, prevented from making improvements (the FNB Building comes to mind).

Now, insanity is raging through the local taxing units: The local leadership has approved a “5 by 5 Program” (offering incentives to build five or seven $200,000 affordable homes of 1250 to 1350 square feet, which does not include lot cost, as the taxing units are giving title to the citizen’s public property for one dollar).

How can we know the right thing to do, if we can’t honestly face the fact that “affordable housing” is feel good politically-correct crap to make low-income housing sound better.

But it is what it is ––

Who, in their right mind, would think that subsidizing a $200,000 home is affordable housing for those with low incomes?

 

IF there is accountability for the failure that surely is coming, who is responsible?

Some are advocating for affordable apartments – “places that average workers can afford and be safe and comfortable in . . .” Trouble is, apartments may help a developer’s cash flow, but it doesn’t do much to help low income workers improve their lives economically.

We hate the term, the condescending attitude conveyed in the insult, of average worker. The average worker holds society together, keeps it running, delivering goods and services. If they never get to Heaven, it’s not because they ain’t tried . . .

Its government that keeps messing things up, trying to prove it’s worth: In 1975, the maximum FHA would finance a single-family home was around $71,000. This year, 2022, the loan limit is $970,800.

The U. S. national debt was $5.6 trillion in September 2000. Beginning this fiscal year (September 2023), debt had increased to $32-trillion. It’s government doing what government does best. Now, the debt is over $30 trillion, thanks to our elected leaders in Nutland, D. C.

And no matter how much it lies, mentally-deficient voters think we need more of it?

Does Paris need bare-bone quarters built for “average workers” or a way to convert the bulk of substandard properties inside the city limits to improved single-family homes?

Do we want to subsidize an apartment builder or help low income families improve their lives? Sure. The Paris Chamber recognizes the need for a wide range of available rental properties, as some of us – for a variety of reason – don’t want the responsibility of home ownership. But we also know that building equity in home ownership is a way of creating assets.

You cannot improve your life without ownership of private property, the rights to which are guaranteed in our nation’s Constitution.

Ownership of private property is how you climb out of poverty.

Subsidizing some builder only gets you another day older and deeper in debt ––

 

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