What Was Behind Yes and No Votes?

Why did East Lansing voters cast a “yes” or “no” ballot on the income tax? We surveyed our readers to find out, and today we bring you the results. You can read this summary and also see the entire results for yourself.

First a note: This is not a scientific poll. As with any anonymous survey, there is no way of knowing if respondents to our survey actually voted in the election, and the responses should not be taken as representative of the whole electorate.

Of the 114 people who took our survey, 58 of them say they voted “yes,” 55 say they voted “no,” and one abstained but is now leaning towards “no.”

Among the “yes” voters, there were several recurring themes:

Many “yes” responders talked about preserving quality of life and city services, financial stability for the city, and obligation to honor the pensions for past employees. One response read simply, “Yes, so EL could pay its obligations promised to employees.” Another read, “we’ve incurred financial obligations, and we need to find a way to pay for them.” And a third reader’s comment said, “it’s basic common decency in my eyes, let’s take care of each other.”

After saying that they were not a fan of city income taxes, one reader wrote, “it has become clear to me that the city’s financial status is a risk to our community and I haven’t heard of a viable alternative proposed by anyone who could seriously move it forward.”

MSU was also repeatedly referenced in “yes” reasoning. As a state university, MSU does not pay property taxes and will not be subject to East Lansing’s income tax, but MSU’s employees will be taxed on the portion of their income which is earned in East Lansing. One responder wrote simply, “Yes, so MSU will pay their fair share.” Another response read, “MSU is the life blood of our city, but it also costs our city.”

Several responders also indicated that this proposal for an income tax – which limits the tax to 12 years and dedicates the new revenue specifically to past pension liability, public safety, public infrastructure including roads and for Parks and Recreation faciities – was an improvement over last year’s version.

According to one ELi reader, “City Council took the time to do research, listen to citizens, and limit the tax-increase to 12 years.” Another reader responded, “Last time around I voted no, but was swayed by the time-limit and the defined designations for the funds.”

A number of people mentioned that they didn’t think it reasonable to punish the current administration for past errors. There were also many comments in line with this one: “I support more and better services and I’m willing to pay for them.”

There were also several patterns among the “no” voters:

The most vehement “no” responders claimed mismanagement by past City Councils and the current city administration. “No—high taxes already, mismanaged government doesn’t deserve more,” and “We have to live within our budget, I believe the city should too,” were two responses that echoed many others.

The recent lawsuit involving public funding of a retaining wall outside the City Attorney’s office, and a driveway expansion mistakenly approved by city staff (two stories broken by ELi) were pointed to as reasons for voting “no.” East Lansing’s already high property tax rate was another reason repeatedly cited.

Several “no” respondents used the phrase “short term solution,” and others called the tax a “redistribution of wealth,” referencing the fact that people at lower income levels would still be subject to taxation but retirement income of wealthier individuals is exempt under state law.

There was also a group of “no” voters who seemed sympathetic to the City’s financial plight but did not agree that an income tax was the appropriate solution, pointing out that it disproportionately affects younger, lower income people and renters who would not benefit from the property tax reduction. One “no” voter said that they had previously voted “yes” while voting “no” on the property tax reduction, but voted “no” this time since that property tax reduction did pass and will now kick in.

The fact that the election was held in August, when many students are not on campus, was pointed out by several readers. (In fact, turn-out on campus was much higher than it has been in past primary elections.)

At least two respondents said that they will now be moving away from East Lansing.

You can see the complete results by clicking here. If this is the kind of information you find interesting, sign up for our mailers to make sure you get the news from East Lansing Info.