Bernero urges support for tax increase

Mayor: 'I have to in all honesty say I think we need more revenue'

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Wednesday, Feb. 9 — Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero strengthened his support today for a potential property tax increase in Lansing.

Appearingon “City Pulse on the Air” today, Bernero said he would vote for thepotential 4-mill tax increase and hopes city residents will too.

“Thisyear things are so bad, the cuts so deep, I have to in all honesty sayI think we need more revenue,” Bernero said. “The reason I said no forfive years on a tax hike is because it wasn’t necessary.”

Whilethe tax increase would make up for roughly half of the projected $15million budget deficit, Bernero said cuts to services will happeneither way.

“The only question is do I need a meat axe or ascalpel (to cut services),” he said. “I’m hoping they (voters) give methe power to use a scalpel. If necessary I’ll use a meat axe.”

CityCouncil Vice President Kathie Dunbar is crafting a ballot proposal fora special May election that would generate roughly $8.5 million througha 4-mill property tax increase on city residents.


Dunbar and Bernero support the idea of letting voters decide on a tax increase.

Bernerosaid he will prepare a budget that looks at across-the-board cuts toservices, no tax increases. But the potential election would take placea few weeks before the Council must approve a finalized fiscal year2012 budget.

See the original story from the Feb. 9 print edition of City Pulse here.

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