Local Sioux Falls Politics

Mr. Mayor, City Council Members, Taxpayers of Sioux Falls,

I stand in opposition to the growing size of government in Sioux Falls.

It is with some hesitancy I speak, as we all have so much to be thankful for in our city. Over the last 30 years, we have been blessed by strong leaders, wonderful schools, beautiful parks and expansive bike trails. Our public safety is protected with a strong police and fire departments. We see plenty of options for entertainment from the Washington Pavilion, The Sioux Empire Fair, Jazz Fest, Hot Harley Nights, Hot Summer Nights, German Fest, Rib Fest etc.

Our economy is strong, as we have diversified our economy from agriculture to financial services, health care and most recently, energy. Our government employees are dedicated and good people who have contributed to the strong and vibrant economy we enjoy.

As a homebuilder, I recognize growth is fundamental to a strong Sioux Falls. But today, in the aftermath of Federal Government bailouts of Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac, which followed the collapse and takeover of Indy Bank, and now the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, the national economy is on the brink of collapse.

Now is not the time to expand government excess. Now is the time to tighten our belts and look for excesses to cut. We have record energy prices, health care costs and food costs. We have a Federal Government that is being saddled with a very serious housing crisis, a structural failure of the mortgage industry, an auto and airline industry on the bring of collapse, a health care crisis which includes but is not limited to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, a falling value of the dollar, and we have a growing unemployment and inflation problem, which will create additional pressure on entitlement spending such as Aid to Families with Dependant Children, Section 8 and other safety net programs designed to help individuals in a weak economy. Our federal government is in serious trouble and we can't count on them much longer for federal money.

Now is a time for this council to determine how we will cut back in the face of losing federal money that has subsidized our growth for the last 15 years. We have relied on the Federal Government to take care of roads and highways, water projects and parks projects. If we care about the financial condition of our country, we will recognize community grants to cities like Sioux Falls may not be the highest priority in the future. When one out of four homes in Detroit are in foreclosure, when national unemployment reaches 7%, money will be diverted to keep people from becoming homeless. It would be irresponsible to provide another grant to Sioux Falls just to clear a railroad in order to have another park.  If we think that railroad needs to be cleared, we should pay for it ourselves.

Now is the time to be fiscally responsible. I think it is disingenuous of this council to say we are only increasing the sales tax 8 cents per $100. The reality is, you would like to increase the sales tax 1.8 cents, but for that nasty state law that prevents sales tax from increasing. I am certain that the convention center is supported by the majority of this council. The question you must answer is this. Today, our economy in Sioux Falls is good, while the economy around us is collapsing. Is now the time to increase taxes, or is now the time to tighten our belts and reprioritize our spending habits?