Committeeman's Letter Published in Wall Street Journal

A June 8 article in the Wall Street Journal examing efforts around the country to reduce the number of muninicpal governments for greater efficiency ("Threats to Town Hall Stir Voter Backlash," by Kate Linebaugh) caught Warren Township Committeemna Vic Sordillo's eye.

The article examined several initiatives to consolidate municipalities in states from Michigan to New Mexico in hopes of reducing costs. While the article points to several studies which have found only small savings are realized by consolidation, it notes many of the efforts fail to win voter approval despite the expectation of tax reductions.

The article suggests one of the main reasons for the lack of voter support is that residents don't favor consolitation because of fears over losing local control.

But Sordillo noted another reason many voters won't support consolidations: any difference in the level of taxes, or debt held, by the municipalities means somebody is picking up the check for someone else.  

"As your article notes, some governors want financially troubled municipalities to merge with those in better financial condition," Sordilo wrote. "Should the well run or more affluent towns take over the debt of those that are poorly run? I don't think so. State and county governments redistribute income through graduated income taxes, higher property taxes on larger homes and greater support for lower-income cities. Isn't that enough?"

His letter was published in Thursday's issue.