By six votes

After initially being reported as having failed, a measure in Upper Saucon Township that would raise the income tax by .25% to make land purchases and protect open space has passed by six votes. And who says that one vote doesn't matter?

No other initatives like this were on the ballot this year, but other similiar measures have passed in previous years. Currently, Lehigh County ranks third in Pennsylvania counties in terms of open space preserved.

As far as I am concerned, measures like this are outstanding and necessary in order to protect open space. Not only do they make sense in terms of protecting urban space and revitalizing cities, but they will ultimately reduce the need for property tax increase, since the proptection of open space and park/farm lands lead to an increase in property values (and thus property tax revenues).

Protecting open space does make sense financially, and short-term tax increase equate to long-term tax decreases.