Arts Tax Increase Supports Non-Government Endeavor

  • Thursday, October 15, 2015

Re: Arts Group Asking Referendum On One Cent Tax Increase On Cigarettes 

This sounds like a pretty terrible idea.  My issue with this is not the tax increase.  I'm not even a smoker, so I would not be the one paying this tax.  Also, my issue with this is not that the money is going to promote the arts.  I enjoy the arts as much as the next guy, maybe even more than some.

Nope, my problem with this is that it sounds as though citizens would be taxed to support some non-government endeavor.  In addition, I don't see any evidence that those paying the tax would the main group benefiting from the results of the tax.  This sounds completely wrong-headed and a gross abuse of government power.  

I urge all commissioners, and particularly mine (Marty Haynes) to oppose this. 

Jeff Davis
Middle Valley

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