4 ms·

"Half-Cent" is a 9 percent tax increase on an incredibly regressive tax that hits the poor the hardest. Global corporations need to pay their own way.

gruez 4y ago
But this isn't exactly "global corporations" asking taxpayers to foot the bill for plant equipment or whatever, it's them asking the taxpayers to fund public works projects, which seems to be firmly the responsibility of the government to provide.
- arrosenberg 4y ago
  Why? The taxpayers don't need a fab there, and they won't have to build a highway if they don't build the fab. If I was an average person in Phoenix, I wouldn't want to pay increased taxes so a foreign corporation and wealthy Americans can get paid.
  - brewdad 4y ago
    The highway is already built. The voters of Phoenix voted decades ago to pay the sales tax to build it. Right now, it's mostly a road to nowhere which is why TSMC needs a new interchange. This isn't even a new tax. It's a tax that has been in place for 40 years and has paid for pretty much every freeway mile and light rail track in the area. The tax expires in 2025 and this is a debate over renewing it. If it fails, Phoenix will be Los Angeles with "rush hour" lasting all day in another 10 years.
    - arrosenberg 4y ago
      Ah, ok. I misunderstood because I can’t read the entire article. Sounds like transit funding is at risk, which will also impact the fab, but isn't actually directly related.
      - lesuorac 4y ago
        https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=35441484 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=35441484 In general, if you just wait a bit somebody will post an archive link.
        arrosenberg 4y ago
        Couldn't find it on my phone :) Thanks for the assist.
  - misterprime 4y ago
    The plant construction is well under way and the freeway nearby has already had a lot of recent work on it. I haven't read the article yet, but I've been in that area several times per year for the last 3.5 years.
rblatz 4y ago
This is a 40 year old tax, in what way is this an increase? Also this is earmarked specifically for transportation so it has to be spent on things like roads, highways, and mass transit. If you think sales tax is too high lower the “slush fund” taxes that get tossed around for political favors and empire building.

gruez 4y ago

But this isn't exactly "global corporations" asking taxpayers to foot the bill for plant equipment or whatever, it's them asking the taxpayers to fund public works projects, which seems to be firmly the responsibility of the government to provide.

arrosenberg 4y ago
Why? The taxpayers don't need a fab there, and they won't have to build a highway if they don't build the fab. If I was an average person in Phoenix, I wouldn't want to pay increased taxes so a foreign corporation and wealthy Americans can get paid.
- brewdad 4y ago
  The highway is already built. The voters of Phoenix voted decades ago to pay the sales tax to build it. Right now, it's mostly a road to nowhere which is why TSMC needs a new interchange. This isn't even a new tax. It's a tax that has been in place for 40 years and has paid for pretty much every freeway mile and light rail track in the area. The tax expires in 2025 and this is a debate over renewing it. If it fails, Phoenix will be Los Angeles with "rush hour" lasting all day in another 10 years.
  - arrosenberg 4y ago
    Ah, ok. I misunderstood because I can’t read the entire article. Sounds like transit funding is at risk, which will also impact the fab, but isn't actually directly related.
    - lesuorac 4y ago
      https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=35441484 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=35441484 In general, if you just wait a bit somebody will post an archive link.
      - arrosenberg 4y ago
        Couldn't find it on my phone :) Thanks for the assist.
- misterprime 4y ago
  The plant construction is well under way and the freeway nearby has already had a lot of recent work on it. I haven't read the article yet, but I've been in that area several times per year for the last 3.5 years.

rblatz 4y ago

This is a 40 year old tax, in what way is this an increase? Also this is earmarked specifically for transportation so it has to be spent on things like roads, highways, and mass transit. If you think sales tax is too high lower the “slush fund” taxes that get tossed around for political favors and empire building.