As reported in Friday’s Herald, a sales tax increase of one half of 1 percent will be implemented to pay for a $17.8 billion (yes, billion) package of Sound Transit projects if approved by voters this November.
Putting aside, momentarily, the obvious facts that: A) the package will never be done within a $17.8 billion budget and B) that a similar package was turned down by voters last November and C) we are in a recession at the very least, my primary complaint is with the reporting of this pending ballot measure.
Buried in paragraph seven of the article was the following sentence: “If approved, the package is expected to result in a new half-cent sales tax hike per dollar spent, or 5 cents on a $10 purchase.”
Now we all know that in this sales tax haven of a state that the proposed sales tax increase will impact us all more on larger purchases, but please indulge me as I give a few examples of real economic impact that would effect us if this measure passes. The purchase of a $25,000 automobile would cost $125 dollars more, a new RV of $50,000 would be $250 more and a new manufactured/modular home (which I sell) at $100,000 would be $500 more. Is it not accurate to say that residents of Washington state, and especially the metro area, are paying more than their fair share in taxes already? Since it will be 2023 (if then) before light rail service would reach Lynnwood, how many of us will actually benefit by using it?
While passage of this measure will look great on a politician’s resume, somehow this has to be paid for. I suggest that it is time to get realistic and put money into expanded bus service, which seems to be the most cost-efficient method of mass transit.
Scott Gregerson
Everett
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