DC Decriminalizes Theft By Taylor Lewis < > Leg
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Posted On: 12/26/2018 6:37:10 PM
DC Decriminalizes Theft
By Taylor Lewis
< >
Legalized theft.”
A favorite saying of libertarians when talking about taxation. A metaphor invoked by reformers of civil asset forfeiture. A wry phrase constitutionalists use when describing eminent domain.
And now, real-life public policy being pushed by cynical politicians who have, seemingly, given up on civilization.
The Washington, D.C., City Council recently voted to waive the criminal charge that comes with evading fare on the city’s Metro system. The vote -- a one-sided 10 “Yea”s to 2 “Nay”s -- made the matter strictly civil, charging $50 for anyone who jumps a turnstile without paying. The bill now goes to Mayor Muriel Bowser’s desk for signing.
“Decriminalization is not the same as legalization,” Council member Charles Allen argued in favor of the measure. “A criminal citation stays on your record for life. [Fare evaders] will have a criminal conviction for their rest of their life for a $2 fare.”
Allen’s argument is, unsurprisingly, overwrought. Judges can always expunge criminal records for petty offenses like this. Bypassing a $2 train charge need not be a black mark on one’s permanent record. He knows this is true but tells his lie anyway.
Council member Robert C. White, Jr., was more open about his racialist intention. Citing the fact that 91% of fare evasion perpetrators are African-American, White threw financial considerations aside, admitting, “I’m sad that’s Metro’s losing money, but I’m more sad about what’s happening to black people.”
To be fair, the Metro is better at losing money than transporting people. The entire system is in continual financial distress. Last year, it faced a $125 million revenue shortfall due to declining ridership. Fare evasion currently costs the Metro system $25 million a year -- about half the cost of the agency’s new headquarters.
When the biggest retailer in the world is about to come to town, fleecing the city’s main public transportation system might not be the smartest fiscal move.
By Taylor Lewis
< >
Legalized theft.”
A favorite saying of libertarians when talking about taxation. A metaphor invoked by reformers of civil asset forfeiture. A wry phrase constitutionalists use when describing eminent domain.
And now, real-life public policy being pushed by cynical politicians who have, seemingly, given up on civilization.
The Washington, D.C., City Council recently voted to waive the criminal charge that comes with evading fare on the city’s Metro system. The vote -- a one-sided 10 “Yea”s to 2 “Nay”s -- made the matter strictly civil, charging $50 for anyone who jumps a turnstile without paying. The bill now goes to Mayor Muriel Bowser’s desk for signing.
“Decriminalization is not the same as legalization,” Council member Charles Allen argued in favor of the measure. “A criminal citation stays on your record for life. [Fare evaders] will have a criminal conviction for their rest of their life for a $2 fare.”
Allen’s argument is, unsurprisingly, overwrought. Judges can always expunge criminal records for petty offenses like this. Bypassing a $2 train charge need not be a black mark on one’s permanent record. He knows this is true but tells his lie anyway.
Council member Robert C. White, Jr., was more open about his racialist intention. Citing the fact that 91% of fare evasion perpetrators are African-American, White threw financial considerations aside, admitting, “I’m sad that’s Metro’s losing money, but I’m more sad about what’s happening to black people.”
To be fair, the Metro is better at losing money than transporting people. The entire system is in continual financial distress. Last year, it faced a $125 million revenue shortfall due to declining ridership. Fare evasion currently costs the Metro system $25 million a year -- about half the cost of the agency’s new headquarters.
When the biggest retailer in the world is about to come to town, fleecing the city’s main public transportation system might not be the smartest fiscal move.
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