Donations financing local government expenses

[Nikia]

The town where I grew up just announced that there would be a fireworks display this July 4th after all. The city had said that they would cancel it due to budget contrainsts. Concerned citizens raised money and now there will be a display. Earlier concerned citizens had raised money to open the municipal pool this summer which had also been cut by the budget. Last year, the county had closed the county museum due to budget constraints. Citizens raised money to reopen that as well. My home area has been hit hard by a disappearing tax base, but doesn't that set a dangerous precedant. Are there going to have to be donations to fix the streets and sidewalks next year?

[lastknowngood]

1. Cool and painless way to raise taxes without people seing it.

n/t

[NoMoreRedInk]

3. I agree. The citizens are paying for all of those things

whether they do it by "contributions" or through taxes. Government "a la carte" would be a nice way to operate if it would work.

[hexola]

2. What gets me is when the contribute to....

Law enforcement...a dangerous precedent indeed!

I live in a tiny PA 'Burg...but some do-gooder group dontated a Drug-Sniffing dog to the force...great - now we have dog food bill.

and

I think these folks are getting around the governmental process...

Who are they to decide we need a drug sniffer...?

Who are they to decide the character of law enforcement in my community?

[Nikia]

4. Wow

At least you didn't have to pay for the drug sniffing dog though. It does make some citizens concerns more important than others though. It may also allow local government to purposinly not fund things which are not vital but are sentimentally important to people. In time, though, purpose taxes could be done away with and people would just fund things that they think are important.