The City of Everett’s Proposition 1 will raise property taxes to fund programs that have been, or will be, cut due to an ever-increasing budget shortfall. The math is pretty simple: the city has been limited to 1 percent tax increases for a couple of decades since the passage of Tim Eyman’s I-747 and subsequent legislation signed by then Gov. Christine Gregoire, and inflation has been greater than 1 percent the whole time. Whether you think taxes should be raised to keep pace with inflation because you value city services such as parks and libraries, or not, is entirely up to you. However, before you cast your vote you should know that opponents of Prop. 1 are trying to manipulate you.
According to the state Public Disclosure Commission, a group called Keep Everett Affordable has raised $15,000 to distribute biased opinions represented as facts in an attempt to sway your vote. The only financial contributors to this effort appear to be Marty Robinett, Art Skotdal, Jim Langus, and Michael Finch, and because they are wealthy and own quite a bit of property in Everett, Prop. 1 will cost them some coin.
If you sympathize with wealthy, old, white men who think they own the town, because they literally do, or if you support the use of sneaky tactics to manipulate people into unwittingly voting against their own best interests, then reject Prop. 1.
If you wish for a community pool again, better parks, and a thriving library system with hours that fit your schedule, then vote yes on Prop. 1.
Tyler Rourke
Everett
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