this post was submitted on 19 Mar 2026
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Explain Like I'm Five
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I find this clarifying.
In some municipalities, I think they have a different word for temporary tax increases (though I don't think I've heard it as Bond anywhere yet?). Bond usually means a government selling 'IOU' slips to people, and the government has to pay them back with interest. (Only paying back with more bonds would be a ponzi scheme. Hard to maintain.)
But for taxes, plenty of changes and institutions are going to cost money for the foreseeable future. So a permanent tax is used to fund, say, schools.
Also, passing a permanent tax gives you the opportunity to use the future tax revenue without having another law passed. You can also get the predicted amount wrong.
Another benefit, someday you can cancel the tax and look productive/important.