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Jonathan R. Rees, candidate for Ward 3 DC City Council opposes Councilmember Kathy Patterson's proposed $1 billion dollar tax to improve the conditions of our public schools because:
1. We have already paid through our taxes to have what she proposes to do, but that money was spent elsewhere and the DC City Council knows that but has never called to the mat those who misspent our tax dollars; 2. Her bill does not address the misspent money over the years designated for the upkeep of our school or punishes those who misspent it all; 3. Her bill gives the tax payers no assurance that misappropriations won't happen again; and 4. The people of DC are already taxed enough and rather than hit you and I with a new tax we should re-budget part of the public schools’ yearly budget and place more towards upkeep. Enough is enough. We cannot solve all our problems with more taxes but with better management of the taxes already being collected. Statement on November 11, 2005There is no doubt that the conditions of our public schools are a nightmare but the taxpayers should not have to pay a second time for their renovations. Every year through our taxes, the DC Government through its budget gives so much to our schools district and then our schools budget it out for its various needs, and one of those needs is the upkeep and maintenance of our schools. The sad truth is, and for over a decade, that money that was designated for the upkeep and maintenance of our schools never went for such and our schools continued to deteriorate all the more. Because those in charge of our schools misappropriated, we are now being asked by Councilwoman Kathy Patterson to pay a second time for what we have already paid for but she doesn't talk of the misappropriations by school officials for the last decade, dealing with those who cheated the taxpayers, what will be done to them nor does she offer us any assurance that if we throw more money at the problem misappropriating won't happen again. DC spends around $15,000.00 a year per student which is more than any other school district in the USA and we are not getting our money’s worth only because of mismanagement but this is the same sad story throughout many of the agencies of the Government of the District of Columbia. I say no to any more taxes for our schools and yes to hold those who cheated us legally responsible for this mess.
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