Another $555 Million – Not Being Spent on Schools

Carter Wrenn posted on February 21, 2006 11:39

The News and Observer reports, “Raleigh-Durham Airport officials just approved a $257.6 million contract to replace the red-roofed Terminal C,” and the total cost of the project is “expected to reach $555 million.”

So we have taxpayers funding:

• $555 million for a terminal at the airport;
• $215 million (and still rising) for the downtown Convention Center;
• $20 million for a downtown hotel;
• $1 million for a five star downtown restaurant;
• $1 million (they call this one a loan) for an upscale supermarket downtown;
• The town of Morrisville offering a Chinese computer conglomerate a $1 million incentive;
• And the TTA (Triangle Transit Authority) still wants $800 plus million for Lite-Rail.

And the schools are broke. And if we want to finish the Outer-Loop there’s no money – so it has to be a toll road.

The local politicians – led by Raleigh Major Charles Meeker – are spending all the money the can get their hands on (and then some) – but the schools are broke. What’s the solution? The politicians want to pass a couple of billion dollars in school bonds so they can borrow the money we need for schools (and, so, they can keep on spending elsewhere).

Does that seem backwards? Why don’t they take all (or at least part) of this money and spend it on schools? And then hold a bond vote to see if voters want to borrow to pay for these other projects.

The answer is simple: Because they suspect – probably correctly – voters are going to turn down bonds for paying for things like $215 million Convention Centers. So they are not going to let them vote on that. They’re going to make them vote on school bonds instead.

Posted in: General, Raleigh

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# Carter Wrenn

Thursday, March 30, 2006 5:08 PM

4 Comments »
The money for a new airport terminal comes from parking and facility fees. The Convention Center and Hotel are being paid for by hotel taxes.

How many times do we have to go over this on this website? The taxpayers are not footing the bill for these developments.

I suspect you know this, but want to mislead the public to promote your agenda. It’s a shame.

Comment by Justin — February 21, 2006 @ 2:13 pm

I think the point Carter is making, whether you agree with him or not, Justin, is we have our priorities all screwed up.

Today the City Council spent 3-4 hours talking about a hotel (financed by the taxpayers) and whether it should have stucco.

Good gosh, what if these fine politicians put as much energy into finding creative ways to buy land for schools or—God fobid find ways to help build schools.

Comment by Robert — February 21, 2006 @ 7:32 pm

If the right-winged former Mayors (Coble & Fetzer) had done their jobs properly in leading the city and it’s long-term strategic growth planning we might not be in this problem….

Rapid growth is not a short-term issue - it’s a long-term strategic issue that takes years of planning and funding.

And now the right-wing is doing lots of finger pointing to the left due to Fetzer/Coble not doing their jobs.

And where is Fetzer now? Is he behind the drive to cut the gas tax? (And not telling the whole story) That will be a big help in finishing the Outer Loop. Can’t have it both ways guys -

Comment by Abe — February 22, 2006 @ 6:58 am

Carter has been misstating the facts on the regional rail as well. I blogged about it here.

Carter, why are there never any links in your posts to back up the points you try to make in your rants?

Comment by TarGator — February 24, 2006 @ 4:38 pm

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Another $555 Million – Not Being Spent on Schools

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