Camas resident Jeff Englud shares his thoughts on the Regional Fire Authority
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and do not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
Creating a new taxing authority is a bit like having a baby. They are cute at first, but eventually, they grow up, and as they do, they eat more and more.
We already have city governments that are always hungry for more money. Money certainly helps if you have it, but if you don’t, then the answer is to tighten your belt.
Right now, we have plenty of “tax kids” clamoring for funding. Everyone wants more! State taxes, gas taxes, school levies, and property taxes all add up. City budgets and levy requests are more “open mouths” that want to be fed.
I’m not rich, and chances are, you aren’t either. Do you need another mouth to feed?
A vote for the RFA is a vote for having another tax! Oh sure, it looks cute now, but what about when it starts to get bigger? Do you want another kid with his hand in your wallet?
I don’t know about you, but I think we have our hands full with the kids we have now. Today’s “tax baby” is tomorrow’s hungry tax teen. Let’s take a pass on this one and vote “No” on April 22nd!
Jeff Englund
Camas
Also read:
- Opinion: The income tax proposal has arrived
Ryan Frost of the Washington Policy Center argues that a proposed Washington income tax creates a new revenue stream rather than delivering tax reform or relief. - Opinion: ‘If they want light rail, they should be the ones who pay for it’
Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance argues that supporters of light rail tied to the I-5 Bridge replacement should bear the local cost of operating and maintaining the system through a narrowly drawn sub-district. - POLL: If a sub-district is created, what area should it include?
Clark County residents are asked where a potential C-TRAN sub-district should be drawn if voters are asked to fund light rail operations and maintenance costs. - Opinion: IBR falsely blaming inflation
Joe Cortright argues that inflation explains only a small portion of the IBR project’s cost increases and that rising consultant and staff expenses are the primary drivers. - Letter: The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s $141 million bribe can be better spent on sandwich steel-concrete tubes
Bob Ortblad argues that an immersed tunnel using sandwich steel-concrete tubes would be a more cost-effective alternative to the current Interstate Bridge Replacement Program design.
