Interesting
Bill Pantele's proposed ordinance to continue funneling meal tax money to the VPAF was tabled Monday, while Martin Jewell's ordinance adding some teeth to the fundraising extension was adopted. While the Times-Dispatch couldn't wait to let us know about the mayor's letter to Governor Warner, it seems this development wasn't worth mentioning. I think it might be key down the line.
Besides changing the definitions of what can be reported as real money from "binding commitments" to "cash or investments", it requires the transfer of real property assets of the foundation back to the city if they don't meet the new fundraising deadline. So the city could get their hole back.
In adopting Jewell's ordinance and passing on Pantele's, it does seem that the council has taken a step towards assuming its proper role as stewards of public interest. Sort of. The council also voted to exempt the Carpenter Center from real and personal property taxes backdated to 2003 contingent upon continued use by the VPAF.
So the VPAF has to more stringently report its finances to the city, and it could lose its hole on Broad Street if they fail to meet their fundraising requirements. But they don't have to pay any taxes on the Carpenter Center.
Are we making progress?
It's the letter to the Governor that is really interesting. Mayor Wilder proposes taking some of the state money and using to alleviate the heating crisis that is coming this winter. Kevin Hall, the governor’s press secretary, points out that it is a moot point:
But, he said, "the governor cannot unilaterally withhold money the legislature has already appropriated, and winter will have come and gone by the time the General Assembly could act on this request."
True enough, but Doug Wilder knew that, right? He was the governor and might have some inkling about the workings of state government. Then why send the letter? I suspect that Mayor Wilder is throwing a change-up pitch. By taking the issue of meal tax money for the performing arts center and pointing out uses for that money that address very real problems the city is facing, Doug Wilder is making it very hard for Jim Ukrop to publicly argue for that money, now or later on. But Norm figured that out a while ago.
Besides changing the definitions of what can be reported as real money from "binding commitments" to "cash or investments", it requires the transfer of real property assets of the foundation back to the city if they don't meet the new fundraising deadline. So the city could get their hole back.
In adopting Jewell's ordinance and passing on Pantele's, it does seem that the council has taken a step towards assuming its proper role as stewards of public interest. Sort of. The council also voted to exempt the Carpenter Center from real and personal property taxes backdated to 2003 contingent upon continued use by the VPAF.
So the VPAF has to more stringently report its finances to the city, and it could lose its hole on Broad Street if they fail to meet their fundraising requirements. But they don't have to pay any taxes on the Carpenter Center.
Are we making progress?
It's the letter to the Governor that is really interesting. Mayor Wilder proposes taking some of the state money and using to alleviate the heating crisis that is coming this winter. Kevin Hall, the governor’s press secretary, points out that it is a moot point:
But, he said, "the governor cannot unilaterally withhold money the legislature has already appropriated, and winter will have come and gone by the time the General Assembly could act on this request."
True enough, but Doug Wilder knew that, right? He was the governor and might have some inkling about the workings of state government. Then why send the letter? I suspect that Mayor Wilder is throwing a change-up pitch. By taking the issue of meal tax money for the performing arts center and pointing out uses for that money that address very real problems the city is facing, Doug Wilder is making it very hard for Jim Ukrop to publicly argue for that money, now or later on. But Norm figured that out a while ago.
posted by tsm at 11:15 PM
1 Comments:
Did they pass Jewell's ordinance?
pun intended.
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