Why not E in this weakening the argument question

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If the city continues to grant tax abatements to developers of upper-income housing, more funds will be made available for the building of low- and middle-income housing projects by the city. The experience of other municipalities has shown that when upper-income housing is created, the addition to the city tax rolls of the residents of such housing leads to a substantial increase in income tax receipts for the city. The newly generated revenues can then be put towards the construction of new low- and middle-income housing projects.

Which one of the following statements, if true, would most seriously weaken the argument above?



A The residents who occupy the newly constructed upper-income housing developments are already city tax payers.(Correct Answer)
B There is too little upper-income housing in the city to meet the needs of the
city's current upper-income citizens.


C The residents of the city's low- and middle-income housing projects contribute relatively little to the city's tax revenue.


D The idea of constructing new low- and middle-income housing is not consistent with the city's stated objective of "gentrifying" its poorer neighborhoods.


E Upper-income citizens of the city may demand a change in the city's tax codes if they realize how dependent the city is on them for its ability to build new housing projects
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

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by luckypiscian » Fri Jul 19, 2013 4:27 am
In weaken question - look for something that certainly weakens the conclusion

Conclusion here -
The newly generated revenues (tax from new upper-housing residents) can then be put towards the construction of new low- and middle-income housing projects

Something that certainly weakens the conclusion -
The newly generated revenues (tax collection) are small or negligible

You'll be able to easily eliminate C & D

A The residents who occupy the newly constructed upper-income housing developments are already city tax payers.
Directly indicates - no increase in tax collection (exactly what we are looking for)

B There is too little upper-income housing in the city to meet the needs of the
city's current upper-income citizens.
Leads to A - only if we assume that these people will be first ones to occupy the newly constructed upper-income housing - assumption required - does not attack conclusion directly

E Upper-income citizens of the city may demand a change in the city's tax codes if they realize how dependent the city is on them for its ability to build new housing projects
lot of assumption required - may demand/if they realize - an uncertain happening - cannot be certain that tax collection would/would-not increase.

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by David@VeritasPrep » Mon Jul 22, 2013 9:10 am
This one is kind of straight-forward and that can even cause problems!

You see, the argument indicates that the city will get new INCOME tax revenues from construction of high-income housing. The city will use these INCOME tax receipts to create more and low and middle income housing.

The flaw in the argument is not apparent until you read choice A. Choice A is very surprising in that is it so direct. If the people who are moving into these upper-income units are already city tax payers (Assuming they mean INCOME tax or course) then they will not be paying more income tax just be living in a new place. PROPERTY Tax would be another story. But A is correct for income tax. This certainly weakens.

Choice E -- as luckypiscian indicates, this requires too many assumptions. Remember that the fewest assumptions wins! In A I assumed that "already pay city tax" means income tax. But in E you must assume that upper-income learn what is happening and that they decide to demand changes and that changes are made!! Lots of assumptions there.
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