You would think that with our progressive city government, we wouldn't have to worry about deliberately confusing referendum questions, but apparently we do. Allentown voters will be asked “Shall Section 807(B), Revenue, of the Home Rule Charter of the City of Allentown be amended to allow City Council, by Ordinance, to remove the Deed Transfer Tax?", but it's a trick question. If you vote yes, you're actually permitting the city to remove the current cap of 2%, and RAISE the transfer tax. Vote NO to avoid an increase.
In this era of our politicians posturing for more affordable housing, the result of this referendum would be to increase the cost of every real estate transaction.
My intention was to post this warning closer to the November 5 election, but with the mail-in ballots already being sent out, the timing has changed.
“My intention was to post this warning closer to the November 5 election, but with the mail-in ballots already being sent out, the timing has changed.”
ReplyDeleteI actually wish I had known about this much earlier, when the wording could have been challenged.
The wording was challanged and the election board refused to change it.
DeleteDoes allentown have a seperate transfer tax than the county?
ReplyDeleteYes, part of the transfer tax goes to the state, county, and municipality
DeleteAs a resident of Allentown this is the type of deceit and trickery that I would expect from a bad local government that simply only wants to keep raising any and all taxes. Why should someone living in Allentown already paying the highest property tax in the region and double the EIT now have to pay double the Property Transfer Tax? It's almost as if the Democrats running the City want the remaining middle income working class to move the the suburbs. Here's an idea, let's run a referendum limiting the price of the Mayor's staff vehicle, limiting the size of the Mayor's staff and limiting the number of junkets the Mayor takes. If the City needs money so badly, why does this guy go around blowing money and then showing off about on social media?
ReplyDeleteWow, that is very slippery.
ReplyDeleteOnce you've allowed government to grow too big, you must feed the animal. By any means, they will be fed. You are only the means by which they gather their sustenance.
ReplyDeleteI gotta tip my hat to 8:21’s post! Those 3 sentences perfectly encapsulate the rot that has taken over American politics.
ReplyDeleteGovernment at every level has grown too big, particularly Federal, but even here. Taxpayers are being eaten alive.
REDUCE THE SIZE of government! We do have an election coming up, so keep that goal in mind when you choose who will lead us.
Allentown is getting a lot like New York City. So many of the middle class have already moved out, being replaced by 'newcomers' who are aligned politically (and require more 'services') with the liberals who run the city. In 2023 some 50,000 residents moved out of NYC...actually 'fled'... from each of the 'outer boroughs.' It seems Allentown is, though more slowly, going in the same direction.
ReplyDeleteMy neighborhood is located between Easton and Allentown/Bethlehem. New homes here sell quickly. Almost all vehicles driving around before and after the sale have New York or New Jersey license plates. To me, those people are fleeing NY and NJ. No doubt some, according to their purchasing/renting power, are landing in Allentown, too.
DeleteThanks for posting this, I had heard about this referendum and I have to admit that I would likely have voted yes based on the wording. I wonder if the referendum passes if it can be challenged in court due to the deliberately misleading language?
ReplyDeleteI have heard that there is a "plain language" addendum under the referendum. I have not seen it.
DeleteHere's a big shocker:
ReplyDelete"City Clerk Michael Hanlon said the wording came through in the way it did because that is how Mayor Matt Tuerk submitted it."
The nation of Germany is allegedly paying all expenses for Tuerk to tour their country so he can come up with good ideas for Allentown. These are his kind of good ideas?? Roy Afflerbach or Fed Ed didn't even stoop this low, to deliberately try to trick the clueless voters in Allentown into another tax increase.
If you rewind the tapes from city council meetings, you might notice that Council originally questioned this removal but the normally “I don’t have that information, but will get back to you” and never does Finance Director was adamant that this go on the ballet. Removing the Deed transfer tax cap allows the city to create a new revenue stream to cover promotions, new positions, Mustangs, taxpayer trips, and DEI initiatives. Wake up Allentown! YOUR city leaders are clueless and this council keeps rewarding him and his cabinet. Watch how there is pushback and a bill fails and then the next council the same bill is back and passes after a motion. It’s all a shell game and we the taxpayers are in play..
ReplyDeleteAllentown: a city of doom and gloom under this Tuerk. Where the hell did he come from, anyway?
ReplyDeleteWhenever I see a referendum on the ballot, I normally vote "no" unless I am familiar with what is being asked to vote on.
ReplyDelete