July 6 , 2007

Raleigh News and Observer

To the Editor:

Quality of life “does come at a cost,” as Tim Minton, of the Wake Home Builders Association, said in a column July 5th.

The question is, what is the best way to pay for schools, clean water, transportation and parks that is truly fair to taxpayers? Homebuilders have fought tooth and nail against impact fees on new development. Now they’ve joined the Realtors lobby in opposing a small real estate transfer tax. A transfer tax would generate over $130 million annually in Wake, and is tied to growth itself.
The homebuilders only offer us two dismal choices: Escalating property taxes, which are completely unfair to retirees and others on limited incomes; or escalating sales taxes, which are unfair to everyone with average and below-average incomes.

Meanwhile, those making money in the real estate game — who benefit the most from our quality of life —escape without contributing their share. Is that fair? The Realtors’ lobby is spending a million dollars to pressure politicians to oppose fair growth funding options – like a transfer tax. We need true leaders in the General Assembly to see beyond this money game and plan how to pay for growth. Otherwise, everyone’s quality of life will suffer.

Karen Rindge
Chair, WakeUP Wake County