Originally Posted By: pbm
One thing I don't understand is when people form up north (north east) move south to get away from high taxes, unfriendly business climate etc.....and then they start voting for the same types that created the situation up north.
I think part of the reason is that where they are moving is relatively "virgin" territory. After a number of years a friendly business climate results in the same sort of outcomes (pollution, noise, lack of funds for state services) as they had in the places from whence they came. The result is that they fight further development, enact new regulations, and levy new taxes.
The state has no money to build new highways. To "provide" much needed mobility all the new highways - and I do mean ALL - are toll roads. I don't want to debate the concept. I am just making the point that it's a "tax." Instead of increasing gasoline taxes we just pay $100-150 a month (more than I spend on gas) in tolls if you need to use them. Given the fact that they connect the most rapidly growing areas of the region you end up with no real options.
I am seeing it as we speak happening in rapidly growing places like Frisco and McKinney. For example, Frisco booted an Exide battery recycling plant that had predated the residential development by decades. I agree that I wouldn't want to be around such a hazard, but nobody cared until the place was surrounded by McMansions. At that point, they had no problem utilizing their government to remove the issue.
People move to an area like this in droves, mess it up, and then move on to the next utopia. Human nature from the beginning of civilization.