Indianapolis Metrorail (Fishers, Greenwood, Noblesville: transporting, neighborhoods, taxi)

[IndieIndy]

I wish this would happen sooner than later. I actually (optimist here) think it will, I just don't know when. If I had to guess when it will be done as the map shows.... 2045ish?

[indy_317]

Originally Posted by grmasterb

If the others don't want to take part, then screw 'em.

You mean if others don't want to pay for YOUR rail line, then screw 'em. The HC elitism strikes again!

Originally Posted by wh15395

I'm just curious where you saw polling on it? I've been wanting to see some numbers for a long time, but never seem to come across any.

Polling is overrated, as you never know what kind of poll questions are asked. I think you can look at the national and local elections and the local school referendums to show if voters are in the mood to fork over more of their paycheck. The mass transit vote would likely be even worse because some areas get a fancy rail system (and thus, likely a jump in home values) where as others get sidewalks and maybe a bus from a suburban interstate ramp system to downtown Indy.

If you want all the surrounding counties to vote for this tax, just make it a tax on household incomes above $100K and you will likely get plenty of votes for it.

Originally Posted by grmasterb

I may have spoken out of turn, but I know that many of the elected officials in the county have expressed support. I reside in District 29 (Kathy Krieg Richardson), and she asked in her pre-session survey whether voters believed that Indy and the surrounding counties should develop a light-rail system. 67% said yes. Granted, it's unscientific, but when you consider that 59% of the respondents also indicated that the state should opt-out of Obamacare, if given the opportunity, that seems impressive.

Why does it seem impressive? She represents an area that is big money. Those people will be the ones taken to the cleaners for national healthcare, so of course they are going to be against that. When it comes to a rail line, they GET the rail line on the backs of the other "surrounding counties."

Re-word the question and ask "Should Hamilton County taxpayers only fund a light rail system from Fishers to downtown Indy?" and see what the results are. America is a country based in personal greed, from poor to super rich. It is very easy to support socialism that benefits you when someone else is paying the bills.

Originally Posted by msamhunter

A city of 829k is more than capable of having more than just mediocre bus service.

Unfortunately we had to fund a billion dollar football stadium so a billionaire wouldn't move his company elsewhere.

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by indy_317

You mean if others don't want to pay for YOUR rail line, then screw 'em. The HC elitism strikes again!



Polling is overrated, as you never know what kind of poll questions are asked. I think you can look at the national and local elections and the local school referendums to show if voters are in the mood to fork over more of their paycheck. The mass transit vote would likely be even worse because some areas get a fancy rail system (and thus, likely a jump in home values) where as others get sidewalks and maybe a bus from a suburban interstate ramp system to downtown Indy.

If you want all the surrounding counties to vote for this tax, just make it a tax on household incomes above $100K and you will likely get plenty of votes for it.



Why does it seem impressive? She represents an area that is big money. Those people will be the ones taken to the cleaners for national healthcare, so of course they are going to be against that. When it comes to a rail line, they GET the rail line on the backs of the other "surrounding counties."

Re-word the question and ask "Should Hamilton County taxpayers only fund a light rail system from Fishers to downtown Indy?" and see what the results are. America is a country based in personal greed, from poor to super rich. It is very easy to support socialism that benefits you when someone else is paying the bills.



Unfortunately we had to fund a billion dollar football stadium so a billionaire wouldn't move his company elsewhere.

Ravekid, I couldn't care less if folks in Hancock County wish to fund rail or anything else. CIRTA has made clear, if any of the surrounding counties vote down the measure, then they should get nothing. I agree. Hamilton County has no problem paying its fair share. Contact the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute. They'll tell you we pay more than our fair share in this state. If that smacks of elitism, then tough. The truth hurts sometimes.

For someone who tries to paint themselves as a conservative, you have a ton of posts on C-D that smack of class envy.

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by indy_317

Unfortunately we had to fund a billion dollar football stadium so a billionaire wouldn't move his company elsewhere.

Have you gone downtown to thank the GenCon visitors for helping the funding effort? After all, we know it's been no skin off of your back. You've been taking it out on your restaurant servers.

[indy_317]

Originally Posted by grmasterb

Have you gone downtown to thank the GenCon visitors for helping the funding effort? After all, we know it's been no skin off of your back. You've been taking it out on your restaurant servers.

Why would I thank them? I'm all about pay to play. They want to play, they should pay. The ones to thank are those in the surrounding communities who never use Lucas Oil Stadium or the Indiana Convention Center yet continue to go out and support local food businesses despite an increase in taxation.

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by indy_317

Why would I thank them? I'm all about pay to play. They want to play, they should pay. The ones to thank are those in the surrounding communities who never use Lucas Oil Stadium or the Indiana Convention Center yet continue to go out and support local food businesses despite an increase in taxation.

Are you proposing that we shouldn't patronize local restaurants as a tax protest?

[indy_317]

Originally Posted by grmasterb

Are you proposing that we shouldn't patronize local restaurants as a tax protest?

If one doesn't want to pay, then the only way to avoid the tax is not eating out in the counties with a stadium tax. I've already cut back, and I'm sure others have as well.

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by indy_317

If one doesn't want to pay, then the only way to avoid the tax is not eating out in the counties with a stadium tax. I've already cut back, and I'm sure others have as well.

Interesting. Punish the business owners who didn't propose or promote the tax. Seems to me the way to protest would be to vote out the county commissioners/council members who voted for the tax. And if that doesn't work, you know what? Majority rules. Deal with it.

But since you're a proponent of pay to play, then I'm guessing you believe that all roads should be toll?

[Joke Insurance]

Originally Posted by HikeND

Here is the official proposal as it stands currently.

Indy Connect | A Central Indiana Public Transportation Initiative

I don't see anything in there that talks about rapid transit/metrorail/heavy rail....

[indy_317]

Originally Posted by grmasterb

Interesting. Punish the business owners who didn't propose or promote the tax. Seems to me the way to protest would be to vote out the county commissioners/council members who voted for the tax. And if that doesn't work, you know what? Majority rules. Deal with it.

I do deal with it. Tips capped at 20%, regardless of amount spent. Cutting back avoiding the tax all together. Seems justifiable enough for me. As far as punishment, that is laughable, especially in downtown Indy. The places I visited pre-stadium tax posted flyers on their doors in support of the tax. The owners wanted the tax. Most of the county commissioners said that 75% of their e-mails were in favor of the tax. The bars and sports pubs in the region all wanted it.

Originally Posted by grmasterb

But since you're a proponent of pay to play, then I'm guessing you believe that all roads should be toll?

Yes. Just because their isn't a booth to take money doesn't mean there isn't a toll. Currently, I pay two toll taxes: Taxes on gas go to building roads. The more one drives and uses gas, the more they pay. In addition, my county has adopted a wheel tax for every vehicle I register. This money goes directly to a road fund. There are additional proposals in other states to start taxing miles driven, and some people advocate for taxing vehicles based on weight as well. Sounds justified to me.

Originally Posted by Joke Insurance

I don't see anything in there that talks about rapid transit/metrorail/heavy rail....

You're not looking hard enough. Click on "map." A map will load and you will see a light blue line running from Noblesville to Franklin. That is the rail line. You will see a purple dotted line running Washington Street. That is future light rail.