Our tax-and-spend government is about to break the backs of many people they intend to help in the state of Washington.
State revenue will increase 7 percent over what was collected last year; the cost of living index was 3 percent last year. This is a more than 100 percent increase over the cost of living. The taxes they are about to impose are over and above the increased revenue the state will collect this year.
Tax-limiting Initiative 601, which voters approved years ago, has been blown out of the water. I bet none of these taxes and increases will get blown out of the water, ever!
These facts were not talked about in any news media or TV news. Why?
The 5-cent gas tax from two years ago has not made any transportation improvements, nor did the 23 cents a gallon collected from 1970 until 2003, when it went to 28 cents. No major roads were built. Where was the money spent?
Now state officials want to throw another 9.5 cents into the same coffers. What will it buy? A new viaduct for Seattle’s Highway 99, a new floating bridge for Seattle and a few miscellaneous projects around Washington. None of which will ease traffic. Then what we will throw away 37.5 cents a gallon on from there on out? This is on top of the federal gas taxes we pay.
Where is the money spent? I have written my state representatives in District 32 and have got no good answers. How about a true audit? Let’s figure out were we are spending the money.
If I ran my house hold like the state of Washington does, I would be bankrupt in no time. The way the state is spending my money, I may go broke anyway.
I think the state and local governments need an overhaul, then we may get more bang for our buck. Until then, we are just throwing good money after bad.
John Festa
Edmonds
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
