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New "Districts" Would Allow Angelenos to Tax Themselves to Fix Their Streets

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Applying the old adage "If you want something done right, do it yourself" to street repair is a new motion introduced Wednesday, which could eventually offer Angelenos the chance to fix their cracked streets, repair their broken sidewalks, and keep streetlights shining by taxing themselves via the creation of "beautification assessment districts," says the LA Times. The motion, introduced by Councilmember Joe Buscaino, asked the city to approve a study on the districts, and to make recommendations for implementing the project.

While there's nothing set in stone about the project yet, Councilmember Buscaino tells the Times that he imagined the districts being as small as a city block, meaning that the taxes would be going right to your street, your jagged sidewalk, your overgrown tree (treetrimming was included on the list of upkeep that could be funded by these taxes). He adds, "Residents want the opportunity to be part of the solution." The idea for these beautification districts, like the move to make private lots accept credit cards, is part of an eight-part attempt to improve LA roads.
· Angelenos could tax themselves to fix roads under City Hall proposal [LAT]