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Sunday, October 6, 2013
TRIMET PROVES ONCE AGAIN THAT IT SERVES BUSINESS BEFORE PEOPLE
Remember, they paid $1.5 per for 2 lines that serve around Intel at the same time they added the 93, also for $1.5 mill, yet they still say they cannot restore frequent service that costs close to $7 mill. This was called the Westside Project. HB
To play devil's advocate, how is TriMet funded? Through the payroll tax. So businesses, especially those who employ a large number of people, do have a vested interest in seeing that TriMet is there to provide service to its employees.
Intel pays a lot of taxes to TriMet, which is something that the governments located in downtown Portland cannot say. PSU, the City of Portland, Multnomah County, the state and Federal Governments, OHSU, VA...they pay a "payment in lieu of taxes" to compensate TriMet but it comes nowhere near close to what private employers are required to pay for payroll taxes. Yet, the bulk of TriMet's service goes towards these public employers.
Yes - TriMet is a public resource, and it should be serving everyone. But as long as it is funded by people who work rather than the public as a whole, this debate will exist. Intel, being the payer of the taxes, has a legitimate claim to ensure their money is spent wisely. And when companies like Intel and Nike spend a lot of their money on transportation systems in addition to what they pay into TriMet, and with what little they receive - it's no wonder they are mad.
5 comments:
The service includes Intel's own shuttles, but if Intel plans to continue theirs, it does make the added TriMet service less needed.
Remember, they paid $1.5 per for 2 lines that serve around Intel at the same time they added the 93, also for $1.5 mill, yet they still say they cannot restore frequent service that costs close to $7 mill.
This was called the Westside Project.
HB
Ever notice how Neil rarely uses reusable coffee mugs/water bottles,but instead uses disposable
cups and bottled water?So much for sustainability.
To play devil's advocate, how is TriMet funded? Through the payroll tax. So businesses, especially those who employ a large number of people, do have a vested interest in seeing that TriMet is there to provide service to its employees.
Intel pays a lot of taxes to TriMet, which is something that the governments located in downtown Portland cannot say. PSU, the City of Portland, Multnomah County, the state and Federal Governments, OHSU, VA...they pay a "payment in lieu of taxes" to compensate TriMet but it comes nowhere near close to what private employers are required to pay for payroll taxes. Yet, the bulk of TriMet's service goes towards these public employers.
Yes - TriMet is a public resource, and it should be serving everyone. But as long as it is funded by people who work rather than the public as a whole, this debate will exist. Intel, being the payer of the taxes, has a legitimate claim to ensure their money is spent wisely. And when companies like Intel and Nike spend a lot of their money on transportation systems in addition to what they pay into TriMet, and with what little they receive - it's no wonder they are mad.
Ya sure 'they' are mad, a little maybe. They are rich and they drive, and they will continue to drive I am sure
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