Upstairs at Caroline
Why Should Taxpayers Subsidize Formula One?
RECEIVED Mon., June 27, 2011
Dear Editor,
Why does Formula One racing need to be subsidized by taxpayers? The idea is perverse.
Elected representatives have a fiduciary responsibility to invest taxpayer funds prudently. Building schools, hiring teachers, and repairing roads are examples of where tax dollars should be invested. Both Texas' and Austin's budgets are stretched thin and we are no longer able to fund these basic needs. Consequently, road repairs are delayed, potholes get deeper, toll roads get built, and teachers are laid off while elected officials vote to allocate $250 million tax dollars to Formula One racing. Where is the voter outrage? I don't buy their economic impact studies either. If it’s such a good idea, why don’t investment bankers build race tracks?
Unfortunately, the noise and air pollution generated by auto racing is considerable and has not been addressed. Is it fair to impose a noise ordinance on music events but not on racing? What about ozone action days? I cherish breathing clean air, how will racing impact our air quality?
One council member has suggested paving bike lanes to the track and installing showers at the track so bikers can shower before and after races in a pitiful attempt to brand this a “green project.” Call me a skeptic, but I contend most bikers have no interest in auto racing and while some may use the proposed bike lanes, their ultimate destination will not be the race track. Why not let bikers argue where they want bike lanes? Why let Austin City Council members hijack their interests for their political benefit and economic benefit of F1 racing? The idea of funding F1 racing with taxpayer funds makes me question whether elected officials have taxpayers' best interests either in mind or heart. Vote no.
Why does Formula One racing need to be subsidized by taxpayers? The idea is perverse.
Elected representatives have a fiduciary responsibility to invest taxpayer funds prudently. Building schools, hiring teachers, and repairing roads are examples of where tax dollars should be invested. Both Texas' and Austin's budgets are stretched thin and we are no longer able to fund these basic needs. Consequently, road repairs are delayed, potholes get deeper, toll roads get built, and teachers are laid off while elected officials vote to allocate $250 million tax dollars to Formula One racing. Where is the voter outrage? I don't buy their economic impact studies either. If it’s such a good idea, why don’t investment bankers build race tracks?
Unfortunately, the noise and air pollution generated by auto racing is considerable and has not been addressed. Is it fair to impose a noise ordinance on music events but not on racing? What about ozone action days? I cherish breathing clean air, how will racing impact our air quality?
One council member has suggested paving bike lanes to the track and installing showers at the track so bikers can shower before and after races in a pitiful attempt to brand this a “green project.” Call me a skeptic, but I contend most bikers have no interest in auto racing and while some may use the proposed bike lanes, their ultimate destination will not be the race track. Why not let bikers argue where they want bike lanes? Why let Austin City Council members hijack their interests for their political benefit and economic benefit of F1 racing? The idea of funding F1 racing with taxpayer funds makes me question whether elected officials have taxpayers' best interests either in mind or heart. Vote no.
Respectfully,
Peter Denby
Peter Denby