Letters and Comments for October 28, 2009

Hopkins, Gleeson

Increased taxes hurt business

To the Editor:

Am I missing something? On the back page of the Oct. 8 Observer, Rep. Greg Smith talked about his support and the need the need to raise taxes, or Eastern Oregon would lose many programs we consider important for the area. He mentioned the loss of Eastern Oregon University, the loss of the Education Service District, loss of funding for 4-H, FFA, OSU’s Range Resource and Crop Sciences satellite, funds for County Health Care and more.

The increased taxes will affect our local businesses to the extent that they would have to reduce employees, move to another area where there is less taxation or pass on the higher cost to consumers, which results in everyone losing more in the paycheck.

The front page of the same edition notes that select Oregon state workers will get $500,000 in bonuses and awards ranging in payments of $9,860 to $57,006. According to the article, the awards are saving the state money because of employee suggestions. I am sure the taxpayers have suggestions, too. Unfortunately, we are not awarded $500,000.

Gerald Hopkins

Summerville

Voters need ‘payback’

To the Editor:

First, I support education. Second, the La Grande School District is strapped for cash to fund the necessary programs for our children.

Third, they are considering additional funds generated from a “local option tax” as described in the Oct. 22 edition of the Observer.

Fourth, Larry Glaze, who is very qualified for the position he holds, is forming a committee to study the pros and cons of seeking a “local tax option.”

Fifth, voters have voted down such proposals for additional taxation in the recent past, and there is even more likelihood this would be the pattern for future tax proposals given the current economic climate.

Sixth, folks generally like to deal in a quid pro quo fashion when it comes to economics. That is, what will the school district give me, if I vote for this local tax option?

Seventh, many voters may respond to the notion that money would be better spent if teachers’ unions and nonclassified personnel unions were out of the picture.

Eighth, if the proposed committee and school district could guarantee this “payback” to the voters, then a future tax measure may have a chance.

Tim Gleeson

La Grande