Landowner: I will vote what I believe is best for me in the short-term.
Yakima: You have to pay taxes so that we can provide services.
Landowner: I don’t live in the city. I don’t need you to pave my street, pour my sidewalk, put up a streetlight, remove snow, provide myriad other services and respond whenever I call.
Yakima: What about supporting healthy neighborhoods, growing a sustainable economic base and building the community?
Landowner: Are you kidding? I hold onto vacant lots and rent squalid living units. I can’t very well afford to do that if the tax rates stay where they are.
Yakima: What about your renters? Don’t they pay your taxes indirectly?
Landowner: Do you suppose I’d pass along a tax break?