Re:In effect, Seattle is decriminalizing the use of hard drugs
by UnpossibleJim on Friday August 23, 2019 @01:59PM
(#20780465)
Seattle loves to pass new taxes that are "supposed" to go towards certain things (and do for a year or two), but then end up in a general fund. Just like the tobacco tax, the alcohol tax and the marijuana tax. These were all supposed to go towards roads and schools, at one point and, yet didn't.
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Re:In effect, Seattle is decriminalizing the use of hard drugs
by derefr on Friday August 23, 2019 @02:45PM
(#20781057)
Is there even a legal structure allowing a government to pass a tax with a particular outflow, in a way that prevents said government from later deciding to redirect the tax's revenue to a different outflow? Like how a trust works for private citizens, but at an organizational level?
Re:In effect, Seattle is decriminalizing the use of hard drugs
by UnpossibleJim on Friday August 23, 2019 @05:39PM
(#20782906)
You can earmark tax dollars for particular spending, but Seattle has a habit of only doing said earmarks for 2 to 3 years before going into the general fund. I'm not sure if you can make those earmarks indefinite, to be honest.