A recent article in USA Today briefly describes the funding challenge faced by communities all across America. The article closes with a quote from Chris Hoene, director of policy and research at the National League of Cities, as follows: “As people lose income or curb spending, income tax and sales tax revenue falls. Local officials must choose between core services, such as police and fire protection, and services such as libraries and parks.”
I don’t accept this dichotomy; libraries are core services. It’s like saying that in tough times we’re going to build all our new homes with kitchens and bathrooms only. Are these places you’d like to live? And would these homes increase or decrease the value of surrounding properties?
Even in fiscal hard times, we’re a richer nation than that. Community by community, let’s strive to preserve more than a minimum level of security against assault or fire.
P.S. The 88 reader comments posted on the USA Today article are as interesting as the article itself.
