THEMATIC ANALYSIS

Revenue increases. A steady theme across the four nights was that, in balancing the budget, people wanted steps to increase revenue to play at least an equal role with budget cuts.

Sometimes swiftly, sometimes grudgingly, most breakout groups decided by the end to raise taxes on themselves (not just “the other guy”) in order to support the services they had supported as essential.

A few tax minor tax hikes were widely and swiftly supported. When it came to the big ticket taxes (sales, wage, real estate), increases were often approved - but often amid lingering doubts that the city really has done all it can to collect what it’s already owed: delinquent taxes, bail fees, PILOTs, reducing abatements etc.

Progression of acceptable taxes: Citizens tended to go through a similar progression in agreeing to tax increases. The first one endorsed usually was the amusement tax. It’s a tax on a voluntary activity and there are free amusements - parks, free concerts, etc.

Next came the parking tax, followed by wage taxes (both resident and commuter), then sales and finally real estate. Some groups wanted major tax increases to come with a provision they would be reduced as the economy strengthened. There was concern that the city would get used to those tax rates and keep them - so many people wanted it
to be explicit when hikes were temporary and subject to a sunset provision.