Snohomish County’s Prop 1, a 0.2% Public Safety, Health, and Criminal Justice Sales and Use Tax is just another way to take the hardworking taxpayer’s money to feed an already bloated and inefficient government.
Recall a short time ago, many leaders were screaming to defund the police, now they want to tax us more to fund them. We already have the highest sales tax in our state, and this could make us the highest in the nation. Not only would this tax hurt every single household, it will also cause harm to local businesses.
I hate to point out the obvious to our democratic government leaders, but this is your tax revenue you’re shooting in the foot. It may sound good on paper to solve your budgetary problems for your responsibility to Public Safety and Criminal Justice, but in reality, it chases business to other counties. You may have a generations-long relationship with a local jeweler but when your son is saving up for that engagement ring, you’ll tell him to go to another county to save a couple thousand on sales tax.
You might remember when people could drive to Oregon to purchase large appliances when building a home to avoid sales tax here. What do you think it does to car dealerships?
This hurts businesses and ultimately your tax revenue for the long run.
I know several people who have decided to invest in other states due to Washington’s red tape and taxes for small businesses. Businesses leave and there are less choices left for consumers. So most vulnerable community members with limited income pay more, businesses loose business, and the government that is elected by the people to keep us safe and facilitate commerce ultimately winds up with less tax revenue.
Please, think long term. Say no to more sales taxes and tell local governments to budget responsibly and stay in their own lane, like we all have to do in our own households.
No more tax increases. Enough!
Tamara Nelson, Resident of Edmonds
COMMENTARY DISCLAIMER: The views and comments expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Lynnwood Times nor any of its affiliates.
