Opponents of Everett property tax increase less than upfront

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, August 13, 2024

So, Everett’s Proposition 1 was soundly rejected (“Everett property tax masure appears headed for defeat,” The Herald, Aug. 6).

Fair enough; no one ever goes home and says, “Honey, I think we should pay more in taxes.” The opposition painted the levy lid lift as a 44 percent tax increase, which was misleading, to put it mildly. Why? Because percentages aren’t always the best measure to go by. Let’s take a look: Adding 44 percent to a 10-cent item changes its price to 14 cents, while that same 44 percent on a $35,000 car jumps the price to $50,400. I think most of us would accept the price for candy but shop for a different car.

As integrity is my favorite trait, I would have liked to have seen a little more honesty from the opposition. Maybe Everett can cut its deficit, maybe it can’t, but no one benefits when truths are twisted to fit an agenda.

Matt Coomes

Marysville