Taxes times three: Can you afford them?

The Seattle City Council is the gang that can't say no. It can't say no to a new idea. It can't say no to a property-tax increase. So this November, Seattle voters will face three money measures: two from City Hall, one from Sound Transit.

Twice in the past two weeks, the City Council breezed through decisions to place two property-tax levies on the November ballot. Both levies support solid investment to bolster city parks and fund basic repairs at Pike Place Market.

Sound Transit also opted to place expansion of light rail and buses on the fall ballot — a sales-tax increase.

Housing slump be damned. Don't worry about rising gas and food prices. Blow off concerns about tax increases from other jurisdictions or utility rate increases from City Hall. This council cannot worry about rising costs pinching residents.

Voters will hear how the parks levy is not technically an increase, it's a renewal and, whoa, such a deal, if voters will just say yes.

The Pike Place Market levy, at $73 million, may be the best proposal of the three, because it really is a one-time affair funding basic necessities, such as wiring, plumbing and heating-and-cooling systems. The market is a civic treasure.

Few among us oppose parks. That's not the point. If you put a measure before voters and ask if Seattleites believe in parks, it is almost a slam-dunk.

Our quibbles are twofold: The council is poised to make the park levy a permanent taxing mechanism. And the council seems oblivious to the overall tax overload.

In 2009, Seattle voters will be asked to renew the low-income housing levy. They likely face requests for additional taxes to upgrade Seattle Center in 2010 and perhaps additional funds to improve a few community centers.

All these interests are valid, but do not occur in a vacuum. The cost of living in this city increases all the time.

The City Council has the power to control only a few costs. Yet members continue to compound the affordability problem. Constantly proposing new taxes hurts middle- and low-income families. Voters should take note and hold each council member accountable.