The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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April 18, 2008

In response — Civic center funding should get a regional vote

State Rep. Tony Cornish, R-Good Thunder

In reference to the My View article by Mankato City Manager Pat Hentges: I’m not misinformed about the history or needs of the Alltel Center. When a “regional center” decides to put up a large entertainment complex, then add and change the way it is funded or operated all without all of the “region’s” vote, a conflict should be expected.

When the city administrator makes statements that Mankato alone should not have to bear the burden of financing and operating these places, who does he think should? Where is this leading to and where will it end? How many more projects can this “regional center” do without any input from the majority of the people who pay for it?

We can’t elect the members of the Mankato City Council or legislators who represent Mankato nor can we have a vote in the construction, funding or operation of these centers, but yet are expected to be happy to pay for them because we use them a couple times a year?

The civic center should have been in the bonding bill and would’ve been if the limit wasn’t exceeded. Once in the tax bill, all the surrounding community users should have a vote.

We will face multitudes of new taxes this year. Blue Earth County has mentioned a sales tax in the future for transportation needs and this fall we will vote on an environment and arts sales tax boost. Mankatoans will also vote on a school referendum and property tax boost.

All of these will come with “vote options.” Mankato’s proposed new tax wouldn’t. These are supposed to be called “local option sales tax.” They aren’t much of an option, if people affected aren’t allowed to vote. All we want is a vote!

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