That's why I was so surprised that measures to REDUCE taxes here were DEFEATED! Both of 'em, and they were significant decreases. Locally, I think the proponents for the measure did a very good job of pointing out exactly how much money would come out of the budget, and where those cuts were likely to come from, without being hysterical. By equating reduced income with reduce services like fire, police and school crossing guards, the measures were easily defeated.

Perhaps there's a lesson to be learned in an effective way to inform the citizenry. It was a very informed citizenry in this case.