Power of program is totally over-sold

On Tuesday, an editorial appeared on the pages of the Everett Herald supporting a “tiny” increase in the sales tax to support additional mental health and drug rehab programs. The editorial is full of promises as to what this will do and even throws in a one liner about how this program contains “reliable performance measurements.” Really? Where are they? I went to the County Council’s Web site and read the “blue ribbon” report and while I saw verbiage about making sure there is a system in place to measure the program’s progress, I didn’t see any actual specifics.

Sounds like a whole bunch of business as usual to me. The commission report is full of vague statements that spending money in this area may result in less crime, etc. The Herald’s editorial flat out states it will reduce crime, boost public safety and save money.

Pshaw. As “tiny” as this increase may be, it’s still a tax increase at a time when regular folks are getting hammered from all directions. And it’s enough to remove more than $10 million a year from our pockets. And there’s no specific measurement in place to gauge its success. As a result, we, the ever-suffering taxpayer, are doomed to have this tax increase become a permanent part of the landscape without any accountability. According to the press release, “For every dollar spent today on treatment, taxpayers save four dollars down the road on law and justice costs.” If that’s really the case then what in the world are we messing with a measly .01 cent increase? Why don’t we double the sales tax and put all the money toward these programs? The taxpayers aren’t going to get a 400 percent return on our money anywhere else. Wow … it’s almost like printing money!

Greg Brummer

Everett