Sacramento Officials: Law-Abiding Citizens Are Hurting City Revenues
Authorities in Sacramento, Calif., say law-abiding citizens are hurting city revenues.
Let us explain: The people of Sacramento have been doing such a good job of avoiding parking tickets that city officials say it’s starting to affect revenues.
“I do everything I can to avoid [parking tickets],” one woman told CBS Sacramento.
Sacramento’s Parking Services Manager Howard Chan says the city had planned on collecting $10 million in fines from parking offenders. But people have done such a good job of parking legally and feeding the meter that the city is now looking at a $1.2 million budget deficit.
“If you compare this year to 2009, there’s about a 15 percent decrease overall,” said Chan.
One of the reasons Sacramento residents have gotten better about parking is because the fines are pretty steep.
“Since 2009, the cost of an average ticket has risen 42 percent due to increases in state fees. That may have people thinking twice about breaking the law,” CBS Sacramento explains.
“I actually have coins in my car now, in case I forget,” said one woman.
Meters are also easier to feed after the city upgraded them to accept more than just quarters.
“If you make it easier for people to comply, they will,” said Chan.
But don’t worry, people of Sacramento: City officials say they’ll probably make it through 2013 without your parking fines.
“They say the million-dollar loss will have little impact on 2013′s general fund because the city will be able to make up the difference by using some money left over from 2012′s budget,” the report notes.
Follow Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) on Twitter
Featured image courtesy Getty Images.
Benghazi, IRS, AP...What's next? Only TheBlaze TV offers the truth from Glenn Beck, Andrew Wilkow, and Real News from TheBlaze. Get instant access and a free trial here.
Popular Stories
Obama Doesn’t Return Marine’s Salute, Shakes Hand Instead — Is This a Protocol Misstep? 438 Comments
Game-Changing Bombshell? There’s a Major Twist in the Story About a High School Student’s Lesbian Relationship With a Minor 382 Comments
Is the Boy Scouts’ Gay Amendment the ‘Beginning of the End’ for the Group? (Plus: Tell Us Where You Stand) 362 Comments
Church vs. State Complaint Leads City to Remove Christian Crosses on Water Tower — Now See What They’ve Been Replaced With 311 Comments
‘We Ain’t Scared of Nobody!’: New Documentary Claims to Show the KKK Thriving in Deep South 303 Comments
Faith
-
Priest Gunned Down by Italian Mobsters Now Beatified
Read More
-
Game-Changing Bombshell? There’s a Major Twist in the Story About a High School Student’s Lesbian Relationship With a Minor
382 Comments
- Is the Boy Scouts’ Gay Amendment the ‘Beginning of the End’ for the Group? (Plus: Tell Us Where You Stand) 362 Comments
-
MSNBC Hosts Martin Bashir and Chris Hayes Claim London Machete Killers Aren’t Terrorists: ‘These Are Just Murderers’
163 Comments
-
Did You Catch the Possibly Policy-Changing Ft. Hood Reference in Obama’s Terror Speech?
102 Comments
Business
-
Have You Had Scotch at a NJ TGI Friday’s Lately? You Might Have Been Drinking Rubbing Alcohol
Read More
-
Venezuelan President Blames Toilet Paper Shortage on the Rich
Read More
-
This Terrible Chart Shows the Change in Food Stamp Participation Over the Last 10 Years
Read More
- Disney Makes Absolutely Mortifying Photoshop Mistake Read More
-
Trey Gowdy at It Again — This Time with a Jack Bauer Reference!
121 Comments
Technology
-
LOOK: Woman Claims to Have Photographed UFO in California
114 Comments
-
Lion Named ‘Bonedigger’ and Small Dog Make Most Unlikely Companions
Read More
-
Rocket Bike Sets Land Speed Record — and Uses a Fuel You Wouldn’t Expect
Read More
-
How 3D Printing Technology Created a Special Part for Baby’s Windpipe and Saved His Life
Read More
-
6 Fascinating Spy Gadgets You’ll Probably Want (and Can Have) After Seeing
Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (87)
Skrewedretiree
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:47pmIn Bremerton, Washington (Bremergrad), we have MAJOR constructions projects and renovations all to create: The Soviet City.
There are NO viable businesses here now. Twenty to twenty-five years ago, Bremerton was a thriving city, and it was a pleasure to spend the day here. Now, there are all the modern buildings, statues, artwork, fancy brick sections of streets, and over-the-top parking fees and fines, traffic cameras, and NOTHING TO DO THAT WON’T EMBARRASS A RETIREE’S INCOME!
Of course, once you’ve “seen the sights” in Bremergrad, there is no reason to come back.
Of course our taxes are higher than a Democrat on crack, and anyone with a brain learns how to avoid the Nazi Traffic Cameras.
And we take our business elsewhere: Silverdale, Port Orchard, even Poulsbo which are also in the County.
Bremerton (Bremergrad) is a shining example of how Socialism turns a vibrant city into a Socialist Showcase of overpriced, vacant buildings. But don’t they LOOK good!
They ought to. We paid for them…….
Report this comment
Gold Coin & Economic News
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:55pmSo, does this mean that liberals actually want crime? So cities need more dishonest people so they earn more revenue and don’t go bankrupt?
http://www.isthatbaloney.com/will-2013-be-a-time-of-economic-disaster/
Report this comment
Female
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 10:26pmExactly, the people’s taxes have gone-up soooo much. They aren’t willing to pay parking fines anymore. Quick call Michele, it might be a good fitness plan. People either walking more or running down to deposit coins!
Report this comment
changedone
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 10:33pmThat’s a shame. I was stationed there at the shipyards back in the eighties. I used to like it there…Seattle, too. The trip across Puget Sound on the ferry was one of the highlights to my weekend. I guess both cities have fallen. Sad.
Report this comment
RANGER1965
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 10:47pmIt’s the nature of “sin taxes” They are supposedly created to stop people from doing whatever the state calls bad behavior. Smoking, Drinking, Gambling, Illegal Parking….etc.
If they make the taxes high enough that people simply cannot afford the sin, then they either stop the sin or find an illegal source. It’s human nature, but bureacrats never understand this…they always kill the golden goose and stupidly wonder where the golden eggs have gone.
Report this comment
The-Monk
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 11:20pmHere’s something a lot of people don’t know about traffic fines…
Here in Florida a County is only allowed to keep so much money from traffic and court fines.
Once that max is reached the rest is sent to a chosen “sister County” that has a low collection rate. In Tampa all the extra money is sent to West Palm Beach. That’s right… that very wealthy area gets money from Tampa while not handing out tickets to “their” own citizens.
I found out about this back in 2011.
Note; I’m fairly certain I heard West Palm Beach but, it might be another rich County in that area.
Report this comment
awrocksu
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 11:27pmi also live bremerton wa (bremgade) and noticed the same thing as the retiree did. there are all these new comstruction projects, little ones, going on all over the city. finally one of my customes said its because there was money left over and they had to spend it or they would not get the same amount next year. these govt are like crack addicts, and the taxpayer is dude they beat up and robbed to get their fix.
Report this comment
FieldJudge
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 3:05amThe Democrats under the direction of BO are to announce with great LSM fanfare another needed Executive Order: The Bureau of Parking or BOP.
(It is rumored vehicles with BO Threepeat 2016! bumper stickers will not be cited.)
Report this comment
Walkabout
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 7:45amFirst the Greens came into the state of Washington & destroyed the timber industry creating people dependent on the government. Now the main body of the left is completing the job.
The left did to white people in Washington what they have done to blacks these many years. No jobs, Section 8 housing, lower graduation rates, drugs, …
Yes the Green movement can take a bow. They did this.
Report this comment
The_Bronze
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 12:57pmI love how they are trying to equate proper behavior with budget shortfall. If you want to point the finger at the cause of the budget woes, start with the bloated politicians that can’t keep from over spending the public’s money. The accusation that those obeying the law has led to this is irresponsible propaganda and sophomoric journalism.
Report this comment
JSnake
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:46pmSo, they will have to raise the fines to make up for the shortfall. Just like the cigarette taxes.. raise the tax, people quit, loss of revenue, so, raise the tax, people quit, loss of revenue. And so on and so on. Don’t want to be the last person in the country buying smokes. Where will the money come from when they get their wish and everyone quits smoking?
Report this comment
ChiefGeorge
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:57pmThey should lower the fines, then they will make more money….same principal with our state and federal taxes. Lower the fines then people will not mind paying the fine to park wherever and whenever they can.
I avoid the tax man which is the local John Law like the plague. I make sure I comply with all traffic regulations and try to make him poorer than me.
Report this comment
13th Imam
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 10:49pmSmokers will be paying a 4-5000 $ surcharge when Barrycare is fully implemented. On top of the regular premium. But since the money will go to pay for free healthcare for the new Paco-Diego-Manuel illegal DEMOCRAT voter bloc everything will be hunky-dory. Next sucker crowd will be the obese. The low information obese voters will be surcharged. All except the TAKER obese. Can’t wait until the obese smoker TAKER’s start whining.
Report this comment
jman-6
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 10:50pmLets be Honest here Sackacrapmental! The main reason your $1.2 mil short is you’ve taxed the life outta the golden goose and the majority of tax paying citizens have left while they still could! Marxism/Communism/Fascism and Obamunism has always failed everywhere its been tried and always will no matter who’s in charge! Your city will end up like Detroit, South L.A., and your once great state now turned Californigrad; right down the rathole sewer drain and I hope the suction pulls all you corrupt city officials and your state ilk down with it and you drown in the sewer with the rest of the rats!
Report this comment
Serenabit
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 12:43amOr maybe they should grow their own tobacco if they want to smoke. No taxes or fees for what is freely and legally grown on one’s own property. We need to wake up, look to history and our own morals and integrity to guide us. The State is there to perpetuate its own prosperity … NOT OURS!
Report this comment
The-Monk
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:41pmYou must break the law and be fined to be in the good graces of a progressive Government…
Report this comment
Skrewedretiree
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:48pmWell, I just MUST come visit. NOT!
Report this comment
CatB
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 10:38pmNote that they raised the fine and brought in less revenue … someone tell Obama this FACT!
Report this comment
Diego Roswell
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:40pmCriminals in little blue uniforms that work for the massive bureaucracy. I would expect more criminal activity from these people in the name of “revenue” raising.
Report this comment
Leveraction3030
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:39pmThis is the exact same reason Blue States are organizing to charge people for their miles driven instead of a gas tax. Citizens(peasants) comply and buy fuel efficient vehicles pushed by the Government and then the Government realizes the lost gas tax revenue so they find a new way to tax to get your money. And the left line up to take it in the azz once again. Morons from the word go.
Ofurher at his finest…
Report this comment
TRILO
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:38pmJust like the government to increase fees, taxes or fines to the point that it makes people change their behaviors. Then they cry we are short on revenue. How about firing some of the parking meter attendants and selling excess equipment.
The same problem is happening with the gasoline tax. People drive more fuel efficient cars now revenues are down and roads and bridges across the country are falling apart.
If anyone tells you that the government does not fine people for the revenue is an absolute liar. Especially a politician.
Report this comment
jcldwl
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:36pmFunny how a socialist city depends more on law breakers for money than those who legally feed the parking meters. So why even have the parking meters if you aren’t making enough money from them. Seems like you are wasting money on maintenance and upkeep on something that doesn’t monetarily benefit you. God progressives are flippin stupid.
Report this comment
dmerwin
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:42pm“Damn those law abiding citizens, bane of big government”.
Report this comment
SCREW-WINDOWS
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:43pmLets just make it illegal to do something illegal. “Problem Solved”.
Report this comment
johnpaulkuchtajr
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:36pmGee, another city in the land that logic forgot going Tango Uniform and they don’t have a clue!
With due credits to James Carville, “It’s the spending, stupid!”
“Remember Benghazi and ALL the Traitors!”
Report this comment
Ben__Franklin
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:35pmSo the Libbies made a budget that counted on 10 million to be fleeced from the public through Parking Fines? A budget that required people to break the law to meet? Liberal Logic – these two words should never be placed together.
Report this comment
normbal
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:35pmFunny. I’ve stopped driving into DC – for ANY reason – because of the number of times I found parking tickets under my wiper while I still had time on the meter. I even caught a meter maid red-handed once and she said “well, sir, you can take it to court but you’ll lose.”
They don’t need my tourist dollars and I’m not going to risk a $20 (or more) fine every time I want to see the museums my tax dollars are paying for. I only live about ten miles away, too, but I don’t need or want police agents perjuring themselves to pay the city’s bills.
I can’t wait until Al Qaeda nukes the place.
Report this comment
theBru
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 10:06pmthe CIA will never nuke the place…
Report this comment
tomcat11767
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:34pmThis just reaffirms my belief that the police are now nothing more than an extension of the taxman.
Report this comment
KJGreen
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:32pm“’Since 2009, the cost of an average ticket has risen 42 percent due to increases in state fees. That may have people thinking twice about breaking the law,’ CBS Sacramento explains.”
Ya think? I wonder what will happen when you raise people’s taxes. Oh that’s right, they leave the state. No wonder we are in such dire straits. We have idiots running the show.
Report this comment
Walkabout
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:41pmEconomists study how responsive people are to changing costs. Apparently liberals have not paid attention to such research. Economists study if people are STICKY or not.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sticky_(economics)
That liberals are shocked by this behaviour also explains they do not believe in the Laffer curve.
Just saying the truth.
Report this comment
gyro
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:31pmSacramento Officials are hurting freedom
Report this comment
scuba13
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 1:34pmSacramento officials are hurting intelligence.
Report this comment
MisterSarcastic
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:30pmHey, boss. Revenue from parking tickets is down 15%. What are we gonna do?
Oh, that’s easy son. Increase the cost of a ticket.
Hey, boss. We increased the cost and revenue dropped even further. What are we gonna do? Why is this happening?
Son, I don’t have a clue. But we’ll solve it by charging people who park legally.
Great idea, boss. I’ll get right on it.
The simple solution. What the private sector would do is increase fees marginally and lay off enough of the work force to compensate for the loss but the government is not going to eliminate a government job.
What do you mean? Eliminate a government job? Pffffffft, you’re crazy.
Report this comment
Major Flynt
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:22pmPretty comical really these mismanaged cities will do everything they possibly can to fine and tax you to death to pay for all of their waste. Makes you really want to go visit and spend your money there doesn’t it ?
Report this comment
SCREW-WINDOWS
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:32pmDemocrat motto “If their is no law create one” and “If there is no tax create one”.
Report this comment
Dougral Supports Israel
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:33pmI stay out of cities as much as I can. High cost, high crime, and high fines. Nothing at all there for me.
Report this comment
13th Imam
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:22pmThe Law of Unintended Consequences. From the land of fruits and nuts.
Report this comment
whatthecrazy
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:20pmWe are now a Country who can’t win for losing.
Report this comment
civilwarcometh
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:19pmWhy are we letting ourselves be ruled in a free country??
Report this comment
Master_and_Commander
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:18pmwhen a city depends on crime to get cash, you know its in a bad state…
Report this comment
IndyGuy
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:23pmYeah…California is a bad state…
Report this comment
SCREW-WINDOWS
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:29pmNever count the chickens before the eggs are hatched.
There is a lesson to be learned in that old saying but some haven’t learned that lesson.
Report this comment
drs1969
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 12:29amCrime was the only industry left.
Then they went and installed new meters that it ‘Easier to pay’. They should have installed meters that only took dimes or nickels, that would have boosted their revenue by creating so many new tickets! Just like a ‘speed trap’, call it a ‘meter trap’.
Report this comment
Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:18pmI lived in Sacramento for a while, nice city, great people, beautiful area. City Govt is sooooo corrupt. But in their own words, “Law abiding people are costing us money” Not, the cities money, not the peoples money, US money. So just have your corrupt Police go around and break out headlights and taillights, plant drugs and just do general shakedowns. Then the people won’t cost YOU money.
Report this comment
TotallyNotATroll
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:17pmRealize the ridiculousness of this article. So a city isn’t making its budget because it was counting on more people paying fines. This is comparable to the federal government not being able to pay its bills because they were counting on more fines being paid by people poaching, or mining illegally on federal land. I was taught to not count chickens before the eggs hatched as a kid, I think they could take a lesson here.
Report this comment
media-bias-steals-elections
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:16pmSo when Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and others, advocate that certain politicians create regulations in order to harm the economy, they should be listened to, not mocked?
Report this comment
DEFCON4
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:15pmDo this ! Don’t do that ! Can’t you read the signs ?
Report this comment
Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:21pmJust have the cops stand on the corner and say to everyone passing by “Hey, GIVE ME A DOLLAR” It works for the bums, why not let it work for the bums in city hall.
Report this comment
I_AM_HARRISON_BERGERON
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:11pmA perfect example of how tax increases never equate to increased revenues… But they will never get it.
Report this comment
stopprintn
Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:11pmGubment can sure be intrusive. Given the chance.
Report this comment