The Detroit News Says "Vote No on Smart"

"The language of the Wayne County ballot proposal describes it as replacing a previous millage, but that's only true for the communities currently in SMART. For the 17 opt-out communities, tax bills will go up significantly.​

 

Another way SMART and its backers are greasing the proposal's path to passage is by putting it on Aug. 4 primary ballot, when voter turnout is much lower than in the fall general election and tax measures have a better chance of gaining approval.​

 

We generally don't support primary ballot tax requests. Tax hikes should be presented to voters in elections with the highest participation levels to ensure maximum community input and support.​

 

We see no reason to make an exception for the SMART proposal. There's no urgency for its passage; it could have waited until November.​

 

We also find the tax-your-neighbors mechanism of this proposal unsavory.​

 

SMART was designed as a voluntary authority. Yet now communities are being forced to join, even if they don't feel a need for the service.​

 

The only way for voters to hold SMART to its original promise is vote no on the transit authority proposal."