by Mark Van Loon, Hamilton
$2.5B surplus?
Too much money is a good problem to have but how to spend it gets thorny. I’d like to see a clear and simple accounting of just where it all came from. Some of it was clearly federal money given to the states for specific purposes. Shouldn’t we use it there? Some of it was tax revenue voted on and approved for certain policies and actions and then stolen by the legislature and put in the general fund for their pet projects – think marijuana tax revenue.
Some legislators want to give a rebate to property owners. What about renters? Some want to give a rebate to state tax payers. OK, how much? A few hundred dollars is good but what’s it going to cost for a new tire and rim and suspension after you hit a major pothole? Ravalli county is supposed to be repaving 15 miles of road per year but only has the money for 5 miles.
Average starting teacher salary in MT is $38,224. NFL waterway – $53,000. Hmmm.
The money is already out of our pockets. Take less from us in coming years but use this windfall for the most good for the most people.
Helen Sabin says
You had better scream loudly Mark to make the folks in Helena listen to you. Some of our legislators are amazingly and weirdly just plain ignorant. They are NOT deep thinkers, they function on an emotional level, and react without much thought put into their words and actions.
And Its NOT federal money, its OUR TAX MONEY being given back to us with golden handcuffs that do not benefit us usually.
You have some good ideas here – send them to the Governor. Send them to the state legislators. I like the idea excessive taxes being returned to us then and only then can we agree to fund “road improvements.” Our roads are HORRIBLE!