008 // What we expect from government — and what we’re willing to pay
Featured speaker: Sharon Erickson
Do Americans (or those in other Western democracies) pay enough taxes to get the services we want and expect? Would more taxes create more robust infrastructure, education, and healthcare systems? What should government provide residents, and what should it leave to the market? This salon will explore the relationship between taxation and government services, and the politics that surround questions of public and private sector delivery.
Sharon has been City Auditor for the City of San Jose since 2008. For this discussion, she will draw upon almost 30 years of providing independent analysis of city finances and services for the cities of Palo Alto and San Jose.
Related readings and resources
Annual Report on City Services FY 2019-20 | City of San Jose
USAFacts | Nonpartisan Government Data
Our nation, in numbers. USAFacts provides a comprehensive, nonpartisan view of the state of our union.
This salon took place September 28, 2018.