Democracy for Vancouver

After Election Tax Surprises

Assessments will come out after the election. This was verified through the assessment office. I don’t know what they will contain but don’t expect the assessment rate on your home to come down. I suspect the reasoning for the delay is that if you knew what they will contain, you might vote differently based on the assessment of your home.

The city has the authority to raise sales tax. And they will in the first part of 2008. I won’t be voting on any increase because the city is not prioritizing spending. I want to see a change in attitude by the city that should work for people. The way to stimulate local economy is to reduce tax for the consumer. No, not the cheaters with out of state plates and driver licenses who get tax exemptions. Nor the special interest developers who get property given to them without a bid, with ten year tax exemptions which were paid for with our money, but the consumer who pays the taxes.

The third and most important surprise will be the $60 in addition to the $35 to register your car in the city of Vancouver. That will add up to about $100 or more for every vehicle. Many people are unaware that the last legislative body made it legal for the city to collect this tax from every citizen with an auto in the city of Vancouver. The ironic part of this is that the city already had that authority. The only requirement was that they had to ask for your vote. With the new law in place they don’t need to ask you for your vote because our state legislature gave them the authority to do this without your OK.

Does this mean that our city government doesn’t trust the voter to vote because they see money wasted already? Or does it mean that they don’t trust you the voter to make any decisions and that you should let our current leadership make all those most difficult decisions for you? It seems when they do that it always comes out of our pockets, not theirs.

If there were less wasteful spending, a priority system of spending and more help to people and small businesses that might be a valid argument. Otherwise it is a time for change. Please visit my updated website at www.nuvoice.com.

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Charlie Stemper Candidate for City Council Position #5 City of Vancouver USA