Raise taxes, but only for things we want

I take issue with the complaints about the two-thirds vote for tax increases saying that all these programs need money, therefore a simple majority should be able to raise taxes. I agree that people want roads, police, fire protections, public schools and some social services. The people are willing to pay for those things.

March 5, 2013 1:46 pm

I take issue with the complaints about the two-thirds vote for tax increases saying that all these programs need money, therefore a simple majority should be able to raise taxes. I agree that people want roads, police, fire protections, public schools and some social services. The people are willing to pay for those things.

What we object to is paying for the other stuff e.g. illegal immigrants’ benefits (e.g. health care, driver’s licenses, grants being proposed for illegal students etc,).

Also, no to escalating costs of government through increased salaries, health benefits, pensions etc.

Then we have the mounting costs of the 520 floating bridge e.g. costly engineering errors, overruns on the pontoons and the 520 tolling contract mess up when that was set up.

Cut out the waste, and raising taxes will not be needed. Raising taxes in the name of the services we want, while paying for the other stuff just doesn’t fly.

Larry Brickman, Bellevue