TTF-4 vital to Cape

Members of the Cape Girardeau Police Officers Association have achieved one goal: to make the public aware of its concerns about what it considers to be unfulfilled pledges for higher pay made by city officials over recent years. But it has done so in a way that reflects negatively on other city operations, in particular the half-cent sales tax that has generated funding for major street improvements since 1995.

The association, in an ad campaign, is asking voters to oppose a renewal of the Transportation Trust Fund Aug. 3. That fund was first voted in 1995 and approved again in 2000 and 2005, as required by the sunset provision for the half-cent sales tax. TTF-4 would pay for more than $20 million of identified projects and ongoing maintenance.

Without TTF-4, plans for major street improvements would come to a halt. More than that, necessary repairs would have to be funded from other city revenue streams. The main one, the general fund sales tax, is expected to produce more than half a million dollars less in revenue this year -- even less funding available for anything that increases spending, including police raises.

City employees deserve fair wages, but opposing TTF-4 won't pay for raises.