Before Voting on Tax Increases

Questions to Ask Before Voting on Tax Increases.

• Are the funds for this proposed tax increase going to support a core function of government such as roads, water, sewer, police, fire, jails, etc. that directly benefit all citizens?
• If this tax increase is for a core function of government, has it traditionally been funded by the level of government that is now proposing this tax increase? If it hasn’t, then why should we impose a new tax for it especially when other levels of government have multi-million dollar surpluses?
• If the proposed increase is for a high priority, core function normally carried out by this level of government, has everything been done to avoid a tax increase including eliminating non-core programs and/or cutting spending lesser important core functions?
• If this is not a core function of government, what makes the programs that will receive the funds generated by this tax more deserving of direct taxpayer support than the Boy Scouts, the Primary Children’s or Shriners hospitals or veterans groups?
• By voting for this tax, do I have the right to force everyone, including senior citizens on fixed incomes, young families trying to buy a house or the working poor to pay for the programs that this tax will finance?
• How much will the average person’s total tax bill increase if all of the taxes proposed this year pass? What impact will this have on the least able to pay since they will be forced to pay whether they use the services or not?

List of Pending Ballot Propositions.

None at the Present Time.