They're Coming for your Money!

Tax and Spend isn't always the answer

Two above-the-fold items in today's Daily Times caught my attention and interest.  The first, "Split Council Reaffirms support for River Trail" explains new Mayor Pratt's sensible hesitancy to spend tons of money on the River Trail project, while current and past council members say "full speed ahead"  to spending on the project, invoking talk of what a positive economic effect the trail would have on the city.  Really?  A nice thing to have, yes.   A business generator and tourist magnet...not likely. 

The second item,"Conference Center could get local tax incentive" resurrects the idea of a hotel and conference center for Kerrville, an idea rising from the grave with the stake still through its heart.  Such ideas hold endless appeal for daydreamers, but if such an idea were economically viable, private industry would have pursued it 25 years ago.  Now we have the same "stimulus spending" members of our local leadership still pushing the idea.  Great.  Just what we need.  A tax-supported white elephant.

It's true that our hotels have become seedy.  Moving here in the mid-1980s, I found the "YO Ranch Hilton and Conference Center",  shiny and new, and the Inn of the Hills,  bright and popular and booming.  Likewise the Sunday House.  Obviously some of the shine has gone off of these, and I also don't feel like we see as many small-to-medium conventions and other gatherings here as we did.  But there are lots of reasons for this--not the least of which is the national economy--I don't think it is lack of a convention center and hotel complex. 

The National Debate becomes Local

The Tea Party Movement favors sensible government spending, if not "austerity".  The Liberal Left favors heavy involvement of government in all aspects of the economy.  This argument is currently being played out on the national stage.  Perhaps the River Trail idea and the Hotel and Conference Center idea, both supported at least in part by our tax dollars--represents the Kerrville division of this national debate.   Good minded people can disagree on these issues; indeed, some of those that I describe as "stimulus spenders" are friends whom I support in general.

When I drive over a pot-holed or curbless street, and talk with friends and patients who are our of work and short on funds, it is difficult for me to understand how these problems--that are very real in the here-and-now of our community, will be helped by projects such as those under discussion now.

Let private industry move the economy.  Let the government-at all levels--just stand out of the way.