One of the dividing lines for candidates in this election is the LCDC. There are lots of details, but the big issue is whether the LCDC raises your property taxes. Based my understanding of the law and six years research into the topic, the answer is an unqualified yes. The status-quo crowd says that the LCDC is “property tax neutral.” And then they stop talking, as if those three words are some sort of mental novocaine. Ask yourself: Does saying something is “property tax neutral” really answer the question of whether or not urban renewal raises your property taxes? The phrase “property tax neutral” is attributed to Alan Dornfest/Dan Gookin. More from Gookin campaign blog here.

Question: Seems to me that someone needs to put a dollar figure re: just how much "extra" we're paying in taxes for LCDC. Also, for that amount, are we getting enough bang for the buck (library, Riverstone, education corridor, etc.). Finally, how much extra revenue are we going to get for the sponsored projects when LCDC reaches its end. Anyone?