• chiliedogg@lemmy.world
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    2 hours ago

    Public Works is a net-generator of revenue for a municipality. They allow businesses to operate, which increases tax revenue.

    The alternative to hiring people to shovel the snow is having business halt and the city taking a massive loss in tax revenue, to say nothing of the social, economic, and public safety benefits.

    • Tja@programming.dev
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      2 hours ago

      That’s not the only alternative. In other countries the building owner is required to clear the snow in front of their building, and it generally works quite well. The American version would be to allow people to sue building owners for damages if they don’t clear the snow.

      I’m sure there are other alternatives. Not saying they are automatically better, but asking to compare them is not a crazy demand.