Cities across North America—including Fargo, N.D., but not including Toronto—are exploring novel ways to raise revenue

Strained municipal budgets across North America mean that cities have a choice to make: according to the Globe and Mail, they can either cut municipal services or seek out new ways to raise revenue. The paper looks at what other locales are doing to bolster revenue and in the process finds that even North Dakota’s politicians might be more innovative than our own. Montreal has a parking fee that’s expected to generate $20 million. New York City has a long-standing personal income tax. Other cities tack hefty fees onto hotel occupancy and gambling. Toronto, meanwhile, axed the vehicle registration tax. With so many North American cities heading in the opposite direction, we have to wonder if Rob Ford knows something we don’t—or if the city is in serious trouble. Read the entire story [Globe and Mail] »