On this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow is joined by ITR Foundation Research Director Sarah Curry to get an update on her work into local government issues surrounding property taxes and budgets.
Chris and Sarah discuss concerns about the performance of county supervisors and the way government should be run. Sarah emphasizes the importance of government listening to its people and reflecting their desires rather than acting as a higher power with its own agenda. Both Sarah and Chris stress the essential functions of government that require funding, such as police and fire protection, but with the understanding that there are many other things on which government spends money.
Despite the progress made by the legislature this year on taxes, Sarah and Chris indicate that there is still work to be done to improve the direct notification statements provided to taxpayers, and also work to create stronger controls on the growth in local government spending. Sarah further argues for the need to have greater voter input on local government bond decisions.
Sarah and Chris highlight the challenges faced in balancing government functions, the role of elected officials in serving their constituents effectively, and the necessity of continuous improvement in government processes. The conversation underscores the need for proactive measures to address the shortcomings in governance and ensure that taxpayer resources are allocated efficiently and transparently.
