Letter to the Editor

Reasons to vote against tax

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Dear Editor,

Thank you for allowing me to make a few comments about the ongoing sales tax election in Blytheville. So much is wrong with this tax increase that I hardly know where to begin. Please consider the facts below:

1. A sales tax is the most regressive form of taxation. That means that the tax is especially hard on low income, fixed income, and poverty residents. The sales tax does not consider income or property; everybody pays at the same rate regardless of ability to pay.

2. The new tax will not go to a particular project like new fire stations or a community center. No, this money will go into the city's general fund, and the tax will last forever. There is no "sunset" provision. You will see no changes, nothing new. You will just pay more for everything. Forever!

3. Blytheville has a 10% tax now. That is high, very high! An 11% tax will make our town one of the highest taxed cities in the COUNTRY. Is this anything to be proud of?

4. This tax will be a special burden on our local merchants and businesses. In the modern world, our merchants must compete daily with Internet sales (which usually charge no tax) and other larger, close-by cities with lower taxes and more stores.

5. How many families and businesses choose to locate to the highest taxed city? Would you?

Blytheville has quite enough problems without a new, regressive tax. Our city suffers from an ongoing loss of population, a troubled school system that refuses to allow its students to transfer and one of the highest crime rates in Arkansas. This new tax will address none of these problems; it will simply add to the list.

Please don't let some local politician talk you into supporting this tax. The mayor and city council are elected and paid to look after the best interest of the city and its residents, but this tax proposal is almost criminal, considering the fixed income and poverty make-up of our town. Thinks about what is best for you, your family and your town. This tax will not help Blytheville grow and prosper--just the opposite!

So, what can we do? 1) Vote against this tax today. 2) Call everybody you know and have them vote against this tax. 3) Vote against every council member who supported this tax (which is all but one). 4) Consider recalling this mayor.

-- Paul L. Shipley

Blytheville