Re: Maker spaces

On Thu, 23 Jan 2025 02:17:58 -0000 (UTC), Lars Poulsen wrote:

On 2025-01-23, rbowman <bowman@montana.com> wrote:

https://www.missoulapubliclibrary.org/home/spaces/makerspace/
>
Two of the issues that encourage me to vote are mil levies to fund the
library and the Parks&Rec open space projects. The library has become
much more than dusty shelves filled with books. I'm trying to remember
the last physical book I checked out; I get digital content either
through Amazon or the libby app.

 
What are "mil levies"? Mil as in Mil-itary? or local sales tax
additions? Or property tax additions?

https://archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0150/chapter_0100/part_0040/
section_0250/0150-0100-0040-0250.html

Property tax. Apparently the preferred spelling is 'mill' which is even
more confusing. It's $1 / $1000 of assessed value. There is a disconnect
on the part of some voters. 'I voted for increased funding for the fire
department.' 'My property taxes went up!'  Duh.

What's interesting is the pattern over the years. The library and Parks
measures pass; the schools fail. They can legally request another ballot
in six months. They do, and it fails.

I don't think it has as much to do with grumpy childless people not
wanting to pay to educate other peoples' kids as much as a general feeling
any money the schools get their hands on will be used to pay
administrators rather than teachers, equipment, or other useful stuff.