On May 19, California voters went to the polls and faced down six ballot propositions that would have raised taxes to "solve" the state's $24 billion budget deficit.
Newspapers across the state supported the measures, as did Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Democratic leaders of the California General Assembly and various powerful labor unions.
"Pass it or risk financial disaster," said the Los Angeles Times in a darkly worded editorial.
What happened was that voters rejected Schwarzenegger, the General Assembly, the newspapers and the unions and voted the measures down by a 7-1 margin, opting for lower taxes and a desire that the state start living within its means.
In November, voters in Lake, Porter, LaPorte and St. Joseph counties will go to the polls on a special referendum question on whether to create a regional transit authority funded by a 0.25 percent county income tax.
The tax would fund local bus and commuter rail service and extend South Shore rail service to Lowell and Valparaiso.
It's supported by politicians like U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., and state Rep. Chet Dobis, D-Merrillville.
Labor unions like the high-wage jobs it would create, and newspapers have editorialized the need for increased funding for public transportation at the local and cross-county levels.
But rather than pass it into law by legislative fiat, state Sen. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, said he isn't convinced by his fellow lawmakers that the people of Northwest Indiana really want it. The appropriations committee chairman demanded and got a referendum.
"The political people in Northwest Indiana do not have a high level of public confidence in their activities now," said Kenley in a magnificent understatement.
My prediction and even the predictions of supporters of the transit authority including Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott Jr. say the proposal will crash and burn.
"As long as a referendum is required, it's just a pipe dream," said McDermott, which should tell him that the people pushing this are not acting in accord with the wishes of the majority of their constituents.
Listen to what pro-tax people in California said after their pet proposal went down in flames.
"Since you're in charge," sniffed the Sacramento Bee to voters on its editorial page, "exactly what do you intend to do about that pesky $25 billion hole in the budget?"
Said Service Employees International Union chief Andy Stern, "I think democracy is an ugly thing at times."
Democracy can be an ugly thing. In fact, it is probably one of the least efficient forms of government, the most efficient being a well-run dictatorship. No one has to think except for one man or a select oligarchy.
But as long as tax money is collected from us under penalty of prison, we are within our rights to demand a say in the way it is spent.
Pro-tax forces are going to say it is short-sighted, that it fails to build for the future -- and so it may be. However, if a majority of voters in the four-county area reject the new tax, as I expect they will, they also will have to shoulder whatever responsibility comes with it.
The opinions are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at markk@nwitimes.com or (219) 933-4170.
