Readers Write (Jan. 30): Taxes, stadium, snow

Here's the portion of 15 percent to reform
While I'm supportive of the current 15 percent tax rate on long-term capital gains (gains from the sale of assets held for more than a year) and dividends, its very difficult to justify this rate on compensation earned by venture capitalists and private-equity managers.
An arcane rule in the tax code allows compensation received as a share of profits from an investment fund or partnership to be classified as "carried interest," which is subject to a 15 percent tax rate.
Presidential candidate Mitt Romney was aided by this tax advantage as founder of private-equity firm Bain Capital, as were many of the nation's highest-income earners who manage private investment funds.
Most taxpayers receive compensation as ordinary wages subject to rates as high as 35 percent. Roughly half of households pay no federal income tax.
After deductions, the average income tax rate for the middle slice of households -- those making between $34,300 and $50,000 -- was 3.3 percent for 2008.
The average income tax rate was 14.4 percent for the top fifth, and 19 percent for the top 1 percent, before dropping slightly for the very highest earners who, like Romney, typically receive a large percentage of income from investments.
The "carried interest" tax break should be abolished, subjecting venture-capitalist and private-equity managers' income to ordinary income tax rates like the rest of us.
This can be done without disrupting the current long-term capital gains and dividend tax rates, which are designed to encourage investment, savings and capital formation.
DAVID A. WALBERG, ARDEN HILLS
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STATE TAXES
Beware the proposed supermajority rule
I wonder how many people have heard of the supermajority budget amendment being proposed in the Legislature? If this constitutional question gets on the ballot and is approved, Minnesota will require a three-fifths supermajority in both the House and the Senate in order to raise taxes -- ever.
Wouldn't this increase the chances of a political gridlock, similar to what we witnessed last year, by allowing a few lawmakers to block legislation or force an agenda?
It certainly would not cause my taxes to go down (or even stay the same), since other states have simply shifted the tax burden to local property taxes or have disguised new taxes as "fees" and have made their entire system less transparent.
The argument is often made that we should not raise taxes, but cut spending by making government lean and efficient. In my experience, what actually happens is that the budget is balanced by cutting services to those who can't afford to lobby for their interests.
In reality, this amendment only gives our lawmakers license to avoid doing their jobs, which should be to solve our problems with an approach that works for all Minnesotans.
SUSAN EVARTS, EAGAN
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STADIUM REFENDUM
Does it serve the people or display cowardice?
Bravo to the Minneapolis City Council majority who voted to put public funding for a new Vikings stadium before the voters via referendum.
Not only is the council following existing law (the 1997 charter amendment calling for the voice of the people in stadium decisions), but its vote gives the Vikings and their supporters the opportunity to meet with their public up close and intimately.
Four years ago, I served as a volunteer for the Minneapolis public schools' "Strong Schools, Strong City" referendum committee.
Many volunteers spread out through the city speaking to neighborhood groups and others about the $60 million request, which was favored by nearly 71 percent of Minneapolis voters.
If public schooling can be expected to ask for dollars via referendum, why would a referendum be off the table for a privately owned sporting franchise?
Mayor R.T. Rybak, do not push your proposal through via an override. This move would require you to ignore, or show fear of, the will of your constituents.
COLLEEN SIMMONS, MINNEAPOLIS
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A referendum, of the sort that the Minneapolis City Council is proposing on a Vikings stadium, is a Pontius Pilate way of governing -- a way of avoiding doing the right but unpopular thing. Or, in the case of voter ID and a gay-marriage ban, a way of doing the wrong but popular thing. In every case, the trend is worrisome.
Too often our elected officials confuse representation with leadership. Real leaders don't mind getting a little blood on their hands. Real leaders know that our rights should never be put to a referendum. We had that referendum 236 years ago: It was called the American Revolution.
TIM GIHRING, MINNEAPOLIS
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WE HAVE SNOW NOW
So get off your duff and shovel your walk
Every winter, it's the same thing: Those who follow the rules, and those who think the rules are for someone else. According to Minneapolis ordinances, sidewalks should be cleared within 24 hours after a snowfall. What does that really mean?
Does it mean that if no one from the city comes by, you can wait for snow to melt in the spring? Does it mean that if you own a corner lot and have shoveled one side, the other will take care of itself?
Are you off the hook because you partied until 3 a.m. and now you're tired? Does running a 12-inch-wide shovel (after which people can pass by only by putting one foot directly in front of the other) constitute a shoveled walk?
Show a little courtesy to others.
BARBARA MCCABE, MINNEAPOLIS