Minneapolis: Soak The GOP!
By Mitch Berg
Last month, we (via the Mindy) noted that the Minneapolis Park and Rec board had jacked its “large tent event” fee from $60.00 to $10,000 dollars for the Republican Convention.
Specifically for the convention. Specifically to soak Republicans.
Minneapolis Shadow at the Urban Renaissance Coalition blog finds another:
Take a look at the agenda for the Public Safety and Regulatory Committee Agenda item number one on taxicabs. The time period for the fare increases are during the Republican National Convention.
Instead of being happy to allow the increase in revenue from the activity that the convention brings, such as income from cab rides, they need to raise fares. I find this practice appalling. It is another example of how the city officials purposely go out of their way to discourage business growth, or are just plain stupid when it comes to long term thinking on economic development.
Y’know what? I’m not going to stop buying things in Minneaopolis. Nosirreebob.
I’ll come to the Mill City, all right. And buy clothes. And unprepared food.
Lots of it.
Stuff that isn’t taxed.
Not a damn thing more.
July 30th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Lifetime Fitness is being hassled by St Paul. They want to exand the services they offer at their Highland Park location (in a building they own), but the city may block it. I go there…and afterwords I walk up and down Ford Parkway. Shop at Snyders, that gift store on the corner, Half-Price Books, Barnes and Noble, Lunds, the liquor store accross from the Ford Plant. The city has to realize that it’s good to allow private enterprise to thrive. It LTF was not in that building, I would be spending my money in the suburbs.
July 30th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
I’m way ahead of you. I spend almost no money in Minneapolis. Aside from Keegan’s, of course.
July 30th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
There’s a great way of getting convention business; tell conventioneers that if hizzoner doesn’t like you, he’s going to tax and fee the heck out of you. That oughta keep the Xcel and Target centers hoppin’.
And great, those of us in the ‘burbs get to help cover the losses through state taxes…..
July 30th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Bike Bubba said:
“those of us in the ‘burbs get to help cover the losses through state taxes”
Exactly, Bike Bubba, and that is why LGA is such a stupid idea.
City governments should experience the natural consequences of their own mistakes, wastefulness, and foolish planning. It is feedback they should be using to guide future decisions, and so it does more longterm harm than good to simply take it away.
July 30th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Aside from Keegan’s, of course.
I rationalize that by noting that Terry’s one of the good guys.
July 30th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Indeed.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:48 am
Anyone stopping by tonight?