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@MLD: Can you point me to the pages in those studies that estimate the costs imposed by commuters, i.e., the money that DC would save if they all stayed in the suburbs?

The article seems to focus on things like the money that DC could raise if it has the taxing power of a state, and the state-like services that DC must provide.

@David C. We'll just have to agree to disagree on what Rep. Hoyer meant. I'd say that there are two possible interpretations, and maybe I just tend to assume that when there are two possible interpretations, the speaker must have meant the one that makes the most sense.

I am quite certain that Rep. Hoyer would not fall on his sword to stop a bill that made commuters pay for the actual costs they impose on DC. People hear "commuter tax" and they think it means a 5% income tax to help pay for the DC school system.

Maybe that's the myth that really needs to be stopped. If suburbanites thought that DC just wants them to pay for the actual costs they impose on DC, alot of suburbanites would be open to it. But that myth will be really difficult to stop because it seems to be pushed by people from both sides of the border.

by JimT on Aug 1, 2012 10:02 am • link • report