A tax cut that will hurt us
Nobody likes to see their taxes increase. It hurts.
But what is strange about the Idaho Legislature's blind rush to repeal the personal property tax is that it has managed to create a situation where a tax cut could actually hurt the average Idahoan.
We're not advocating raising taxes, but the proposed tax cuts (which will primarily be enjoyed by big businesses) will definitely have an adverse effect on the everyday life of citizens of this state. Class sizes will increase for our children. Roads won't be fixed (we'll learn to love those potholes) and needed equipment and staff won't be acquired by local governments. In fact, staff across the state will probably be laid off (adding to unemployment and welfare claims). Cites will disincorporate.
These aren't Chicken Little predictions. These are things that must happen and will if the personal property tax is repealed at this time. The state is offering "replacement" revenues that won't cover 10 percent of the loss. Are the members of the legislature that bad at mathematics and budgeting that they don't realize that? Or do they simply not care and think the voters are too stupid to notice?
Either way, they are offering a "tax cut" that will actually hurt. We never thought we'd see that. But the "innovators" down there have managed to come up with something new.
These cuts will be nothing more than self-inflicted wounds, from which the infrastructure of this state and local governments will slowly bleed to death.
Tell your legislators to leave well enough alone.
-- Kelly Everitt
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