We voted on this millage with the express direction from Ann Arbor elected officials that rebated funds would be used in part for climate change action. Tying the funds in any way to a not-yet-completed survey is misguided and undemocratic.
While it's reasonable for a new Council to set its own budget priorities, that's not the proper framing for this particular issue. It's an emergency. As we cook the planet, national and global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, and we're on track to shoot past the Paris target of 2 degrees Celsius, which itself will mean millions of deaths. We all need to cut our greenhouse gas emissions in a Marshall plan-like effort. The federal government is actually promoting fossil fuels, and our state government is gridlocked. That means cities and individuals must take action. Ann Arbor should be at the forefront. A dedicated stream of funding is necessary to make the long term investments needed for moving to 100 percent renewable municipal energy. (And to promote city-wide CO2 reductions.) This should not be left to the vagaries of the annual budge process. Affordable housing and pedestrian safety are also worthy of long term funding. But climate action is the big one. Please vote no.
I voted for this based on what Council said at the time. I consider it a promise by honorable people. I do not appreciate this attempt at bait-and-switch.
We voted on this millage with the express direction from Ann Arbor elected officials that rebated funds would be used in part for climate change action. Tying the funds in any way to a not-yet-completed survey is misguided and undemocratic.
While it's reasonable for a new Council to set its own budget priorities, that's not the proper framing for this particular issue. It's an emergency. As we cook the planet, national and global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, and we're on track to shoot past the Paris target of 2 degrees Celsius, which itself will mean millions of deaths. We all need to cut our greenhouse gas emissions in a Marshall plan-like effort. The federal government is actually promoting fossil fuels, and our state government is gridlocked. That means cities and individuals must take action. Ann Arbor should be at the forefront. A dedicated stream of funding is necessary to make the long term investments needed for moving to 100 percent renewable municipal energy. (And to promote city-wide CO2 reductions.) This should not be left to the vagaries of the annual budge process. Affordable housing and pedestrian safety are also worthy of long term funding. But climate action is the big one. Please vote no.
I voted for this based on what Council said at the time. I consider it a promise by honorable people. I do not appreciate this attempt at bait-and-switch.