[Vision2020] RE:The Key to Helping Downtown Moscow Thrive

[Donovan Arnold]

BJ,

You are right, I do not know crap about economics, or
business, or anything of that nature. But I do
understand that a college in a downtown attracts
people to the area and can generate revenue for the
downtown businesses. I do not need a degree, just two
eyes to see it happen.

"I would like to see the city concentrate on creating
Living wage jobs with benefits and broadening the 
tax base instead of promoting tax exempt special
interests."

It does not matter where you put NSA, it will be tax
exempt. So I think your logic falls flat. Nor is
allowing a college to exist promoting it. It is just
being courteous and following the first amendment.

BJ, I think it was the Board of Directors at Gritman
and the UI administration that has done the single
most harm to this city.

Their decision on changing the health insurance policy
(do not confuse this with the requirement of health
insurance to attend) for students has sent over
$4,000,000 of student money outside the city and
county. In fact, it sent it to another state. It also
make the costs of attendance at UI jump 25% for some
students with no additional financial aid to cover the
increased costs.


Donovan J Arnold


--- "B. J. Swanson" <bjswan at moscow.com> wrote:

> Yes, Donovan, I am a member of the LEDC as well as
> the Idaho Economic 
> Advisory Council and many other economic development
> groups.  And your 
> economic credentials are?
> 
> No, I am not suggesting that we get rid of the U-I;
> but allowing a new tax-
> exempt school zone that will depend on other
> taxpayers to subsidize 
> creates a number of problems.  Moscow already has an
> extremely high 
> property tax rate compared to other cities of
> similar size because our 
> largest economic base is tax exempt.  I would like
> to see the city 
> concentrate on creating Living wage jobs with
> benefits and broadening the 
> tax base instead of promoting tax exempt special
> interests.
> 
> Economic development is a favorite subject of mine,
> but, alas, I know how 
> just the word "Economics" makes eyes glaze over.  I
> would be glad to 
> debate this further off-line.
> 
> B. J. Swanson
> 
> -----------------------
> 
> BJ Swanson,
> 
> You wrote, "NSA claims to be tax-exempt, so who will
> pay the taxes to support City services, etc?  Please
> explain your tax revenue theory."  
> 
> Are you not suppose to be on the Latah County
> Economic
> Development Council?
> 
> Do you suggest that we get rid of UI because it does
> not pay property taxes? Do you not see how a college
> generates revenue through property taxes?
> 
> The same concept would work for a college downtown,
> but on smaller scale.
> 
> Mr. Man, or whoever it is, might have meant
> something
> different. However, I think it is obvious how a
> college generates revenue for the city and state,
> and
> local businesses by bringing people to the area.
> 
> Donovan J Arnold
> 
> 
> 
> --- "B. J. Swanson" <bjswan at moscow.com> wrote:
> 
> > New man,
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > You said, "Doesn't a college bring in more tax
> > revenue than empty shops?"
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > NSA claims to be tax-exempt, so who will pay the
> > taxes to support City
> > services, etc?  Please explain your tax revenue
> > theory.  
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > B. J. Swanson
> > 
> >  
> 
> 
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