Quote Originally Posted by esp1986 View Post
Ever heard of state income taxes? Income taxes on the businesses and people that run them and live near there will be exponentially higher than the measly property taxes. If Portland got $2.5 Billion in investment out of a 3.5 mile stretch, figure the state would likely see at least 4-5% of that back in taxes, as that is the state tax rate, and if the investment were warranted in the first place, the investors, or business owners, will likely get at least that back. Now, granted that is over a period of time, but the return is at least $125 Million. Now if the line continues to expand, that number just continues to go up. Property taxes aren't the half of it. The subsidy in the state budget will be helped mightily by the tax increase to the state, which is where the state can justify the subsidy.
Yes I have, state income taxes are not used to fund transit either. It all comes from Act 51 of 1951. The overwhelming majority of funding that funds transportation at the federal and state level is the gas tax, with some money getting thrown in from registration fees.