Tumwater Prop. 1 is regressive tax

On the November ballot the City of Tumwater wants the citizens to approve Proposition 1 in the form of a Parks Benefit District (PBD). Tumwater has an adequate number of parks which exceeds the national standard by 38 percent. The tax allowed under the PBD would place an additional tax on property of $225 per year for a $300,000 home.

This tax is unfair and regressive as it imposes an additional burden on the citizens that are living on a fixed income and could put them in the situation of making a choice of the possibility of losing their home. People living on fixed incomes have filed for bankruptcy at three times the rate as in the year 1991.

The tax is also regressive for the people earning a minimum wage that may be working 1, 2 or 3 jobs. Many of these people are renting and will see an additional burden in the form of a rent increase.

The city has in place the revenue to support the parks system as it is today.

It appears that on the November ballot Intercity Transit also will be asking for a sales tax increase. Each one of us will have to make choices on how to support our community. I urge you as voters to vote no on Tumwater’s Parks Benefit District.