City earmarks $10 million of new sales tax for Medical District, doesn’t tell anyone

Ugh, that is infuriating. But, sadly, we shouldn’t be surprised by the sleight of hand and lack of transparency and truthfulness . Welcome back, John.

Seems I was the only one who cared.. :'(

Mon March 3/25/19 6:44 PM

Mr Bakk, please remove any support you have for SF 119.

In an off year election the City added a Referendum vote on a Sales Tax of 1% for Street repairs. Only 17% of the eligible voters (Administration calls overwhelming) voted on issue. City said it has a street plan, total lie. Only a list of streets. City never once mentioned they already want to redirect $20 million of said tax to a Hospital District. This isn’t even close to a street plan.

Tell Mayor Larson and your fellow Senator Simonson to tell the people the truth and have a real vote.

Thank you,

Bob

Tue 3/26/2019 6:42 AM

Bob. The local sales tax increase is actually 1/2 % , the money that might go to the hospital district is really being driven by the legislature because it’s widely felt the city needs to find a way to participate in building out infrastructure for the hospital district and most likely unlikely the state would foot the entire bill. Hope this helps clear up any misunderstandings.

Thomas M Bakk
Minority leader
Minnesota Senate

Tue 3/26/2019 9:20 AM

Mr Bakk, Thank you for your rapid response. But my point of this is Duluthians have never been informed of this theft. Administration only use the “overwhelming” word with discussion of vote for street repair plan. There is no street plan and with conjunction

Tue 3/26/2019 11:26 AM

I get it but the legislature is requiring the city to participate financially to do the street improvements needed around the new hospital It’s not quite fair to say it’s a bait and switch on behalf of the city

Thomas M Bakk
Minority leader
Minnesota Senate

They get behind closed doors and in their machinations, either lie to the public and/or decide in their infinite wisdom to hide pertinent details…it’s even beyond bait and switch…it’s a defrauding of Duluth taxpayers and others visiting our city.

But they all want you to vote dem because they’re trying to curb healthcare costs. The plan? Add 10 mill of curb and gutter around the healthcare facility to contain all the lies told to taxpayers.

Great work, John!

Our group has known about this and other oddities such as the makeup of the advisory committee. Another example of why you are needed more and more. How do we get your writings out to the masses these days?

Those that are concerned are working on so much already. Do the citizens of Duluth have the capacity to do what the mayor has promised, equity and transparency in her first run at the office (words she seldom says anymore). My experience is that we do not have the capacity, and the City knows it. The City even lacks the capacity to even understand what they are doing, but we all know the developers know what they need to do.

How can the councilors understand all this if all they are being fed is administration propaganda? Most of them have a hard time believing what their constituency is trying to share with them. The City has paid consultants and staff, the citizens have all volunteer folks. Elections have consequences. Ask the hard questions of those running, and see if you can get a solid answer. If it isn’t solid, point it out and give them time to get it solid. If that fails, let others know.

It’s election time, consider voting in councilors that have a track record of standing up against power and the mayor. We need a strong, independent council within a strong mayor governance system! We have enough on the council that bends to Emily’s will.