Dear Editor,
“There is nothing so permanent as a temporary tax.” This brings up the Local Option Sales and Service Tax, LOSST.
The extension of this tax will be voted on at the November 3 midterm election by the citizens of Jefferson. An affirmative vote will renew the tax forever, both renewing the tax and removing any sunset dates in the future. You taxpayers will never be allowed to sunset the tax again.
Some city fathers would have you believe that the dozens of tourists who visit the Mahanay Tower every week bear the brunt of this tax. Nothing could be further from the truth!! Every sale in Jefferson except food and most medications is subject to this tax. So are the services of your car and appliance repairman, your tractor mechanic and the guy who trims and mows your lawn and the bicycle salesman/repairman. In essence, everything. If you live in any of the towns of the county and the rural areas you are subject to the tax, too. Does anyone remember the phrase, “Taxation without Representation?” I think we fought a war over that principle about 250 years ago.
The manufacturing companies of Jefferson including Powerlift and AAI and others are also subject to this tax, thus raising their bid prices for the products they produce by one percent. This places their prices one percent higher than the competition in the bidding process.
What is this tax money used for? Is it used to grant forgivable loans to businesses? Outright cash awards to new businesses? Tax abatements? The city fathers say it is used for ‘the repair, maintenance, replacement and improvement of Jefferson’s infrastructure.’ Who really knows.
We all had to live within our budgets and we complain about higher taxes and fees. My own water/sewer/garbage bill has more than doubled in the past six or eight years. Property taxes, both City and County have increased exponentially.
Let’s do something really weird and (progressive?) and vote down this potentially permanent tax. I urge you to vote against the next ‘Permanent Tax.’ “LOSST” should be lost!
Jon V. Tiffany, Jefferson
