PFD should consider its core function

As the pubic facility districts in Everett and Lynnwood get cranked up to siphon off sales tax dollars and create added burden on tax payers in the future, let’s look at our transportation needs. You’ve heard about it right?

Here’s a quote from the Evergreen Freedom Foundation’s Web site in regard to government assets which seems reasonable and full of common sense:

“State and local governments should sell their interests in assets that do not serve core functions of government.

If owning an interest in a facility serves a core government function, government should consider the cost savings of privatizing the facility’s operations.

However, if the facility does not serve a core government function, government should sell its interest. One-time revenue will be generated by the sale of the facility and recurring revenue will be realized from property, sales, and business and occupation taxes.

In 1998 and 1999, more than 60 airports were sold or leased to private owners worldwide. Using an industry rule of thumb that ties the value of the airport to the number of passengers it serves each year, our own Seattle-Tacoma International Airport could bring in almost $2 billion.

Some facilities state and local governments should consider selling or privatizing: Safeco Field, Seahawks stadium, Seattle Convention Center, Boeing Field and Sea-Tac International Airport.”

Now is not the time to be adding more government assets that are not core functions of the government. If sales taxes are high enough to support such non-core functions of government then lower the tax. Or, use our money for direct core government functions, such as roads.

Let’s concentrate on roads guys, not empire building with the voters’ money.

Everett

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, March 28

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Initiative promoter Tim Eyman takes a selfie photo before the start of a session of Thurston County Superior Court, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Olympia, Wash. Eyman, who ran initiative campaigns across Washington for decades, will no longer be allowed to have any financial control over political committees, under a ruling from Superior Court Judge James Dixon Wednesday that blasted Eyman for using donor's contributions to line his own pocket. Eyman was also told to pay more than $2.5 million in penalties. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Editorial: Initiative fee increase protects process, taxpayers

Bumped up to $156 from $5, the increase may discourage attempts to game the initiative process.

Protecting forests and prevent another landslide like Oso

Thank you for the powerful and heartbreaking article about the Oso landslide… Continue reading

Boeing’s downfall started when engineers demoted

Boeing used to be run by engineers who made money to build… Continue reading

Learn swimming safety to protect kids at beach, pool

Don’t forget to dive into water safety before hitting the pool or… Continue reading

Comment: Why shootings have decreased but gun deaths haven’t

High-capacity magazines and ‘Glock switches’ that allow automatic fire have increased lethality.

Washington state senators and representatives along with Governor Inslee and FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez break ground at the Swift Orange Line on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Community Transit making most of Link’s arrival

The Lynnwood light rail station will allow the transit agency to improve routes and frequency of buses.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, March 27

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

An image of Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin is reflected in a storefront window during the State of the City Address on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at thee Everett Mall in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: State of city address makes case for Everett’s future

Mayor Franklin outlines challenges and responses as the city approaches significant decisions.

FILE - The massive mudslide that killed 43 people in the community of Oso, Wash., is viewed from the air on March 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Editorial: Mapping landslide risks honors those lost in Oso

Efforts continue in the state to map areas prone to landslides and prevent losses of life and property.

Burke: ‘Why not write about Biden, for once?’ Don’t mind if I do.

They asked; I’ll oblige. Let’s consider what the president has accomplished since the 2020 election.

Comment: Catherine missed chance to dispel shame of cancer

She wasn’t obligated to do so, but she might have used her diagnosis to educate a sympathetic public.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.