Long Winded Fit In Letter Form To 3 Wa. State Reps & Gov. Gregoire. Rep. Dean Takko Actually Called Me!!

[Merrill]

Rep. Brian Blake 1-8-09
331 John L. O’Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600


Representative Blake,

As a Washington resident I would like to take a moment of your time to express my concern with our state’s budgetary issues, potential tax increases that are being considered by legislatures and inappropriate behavior by my state government. I really hope you take the time to read my concerns I have many, and apologize for waiting until things got so bad before sending correspondence, this is an error I will immediately correct.

Washington citizens and business simply can’t afford increased taxes, including taxes disguised as fees. Although sales tax has not increased for some time many others have, and many new taxes have been created since the last sales tax increase 27 years ago. A few examples that come to mind is the obvious property tax increases, a $10.00 weight tax for license plate tabs (called a fee rather then the tax it is), the incremental tax increases on gasoline and diesel fuel over the last several years, and a $50.00 “solid fuel Fee” (tax) in addition to sales tax when a wood or pellet burning stove is purchased. Labor & Industries just slapped a 20% tax increase to my employer & fellow employees, which is astronomical, completely unreasonable, and another example of the state’s inability efficiently administer & manage it’s programs and funding. Now consider the current federal tax burden, if health care is in fact socialized and the Markey Cap &Trade (which is based on false science & scare tactics) are made law then we are doomed. There are solutions and better ways to cover the state’s alleged shortfall of $2.6 billion that are much more reasonable to the tax payer then raising taxes, particularly considering our struggling economy.

For example, why are tax dollars being spent to subsidize wind power in our state? These windmills have a terrible return on investment, are high maintenance, completely defile the scenic nature of the state as well as the tax payer. The funding of these projects with tax payer money is absurd, this needs cut and the funding redirected. Why are so much tax dollars being spent on the Department of Ecology in our state? This is making more unreasonable regulation largely based on false science & scare tactics that are developing more regulation on business which equates to higher taxes in the form of fees, fines, permits, and licenses? Again, this is money mismanagement on the part of Washington State government which is resulting in the strangulation of our business’s and economy as well as causing more job loss. Regulations and the associated fees (tax), licenses, and fines simply makes doing business in another state, or worse another nation a more viable option.

Why do I hear my state government make statements that police, education, and basic care for example, are going to be cut if taxes are not raised when so much money is being wasted on windmills, ecology, L&I, transportation in King County, medical benefits for illegal aliens, education for illegal aliens, benefits for people unwilling to work, etc? Are scare tactics like this on the part of my state government necessary particularly considering Washington State government’s clear failure to control its spending habits?
1 of 2
Objectivity and logic dictates that you can’t have more money going out then coming in, yet that is what is happening. We have arrived at this crossroads because of irresponsible government spending, tax revenue decreasing while dependence on state government has increased, and Washington State government’s failure to recognize the coming financial problem & make the necessary cuts in spending timely. I’m confident there are many more areas beyond what I have mentioned that are frivolous and should be cut, including the elimination of unnecessary tax payer funded state government agencies, reducing the number of tax payer dependant employees, reducing government employee benefits and increasing government employee contributions for benefits. In any case it sounds like at least another $2.6 Billion in cuts of state spending are a needed, taxes are already unreasonably high and frankly government is not the answer to our problems, in fact has intensified the problem. Please keep in mind that taxes is money forcibly taken from people who have earned it, which is fine until they get unreasonably high (like they are currently), or spent on non-essential programs and persons in our state on illegal status.

Increasing taxes, creating new laws and regulation for the sake of increased revenue is to the detriment of the tax payer which is unacceptable. For example, Dean Takko introduced Bill 2480, which would require a tax to access public land for recreation. The wording Mr. Takko uses is insulting; he calls it a “fee for the privilege of using public land”, this is absurd. Laws & regulation like this eventually start to criminalize otherwise honest hard working people. When people simply can’t afford to pay off the government anymore and are tired of sitting at home, they engage in their recreation without paying the tax, and we all know what the result of that is and for what? For the sake of funding unnecessary government programs and the bureaucracy that always goes with it, that’s what. An example of how over regulated recreation on public land is already look up the regulation & taxes required for off road motorcycle riding, or what it takes to go duck hunting, or worse goose hunting. Now Mr. Takko wants to pile more on, it’s disgusting and a complete disservice to the citizens of Washington.

Please understand 2010 brings new financial burdens that I must address, my daughter starts college next fall and I need to figure out how to pay for it. I have given up the recreation I have mentioned to prepare for this, as such struggle with paying more in taxes of any form, particularly when my money is being used to fund much of what I mentioned in this letter. I’ve never asked or even suggested that taxes be raised to pay for my child’s education, my family’s health care, or anything else for that matter, I’m demanding the liberty to provide these needs for my family myself, current taxes or raising them is hindering my ability to do this.

I do appreciate your time and consideration, as your constituent I would like to hear from you referencing this letter. However, please spare me the aggravation of a generic form letter if you do. These are what I get from my federal representatives (when I get anything) which is an utter waste of tax payer paid postage and are incredibly disheartening.

Sincerely,


Merrill Berger

[Walt Holton]

Cool Merrill keep up the good fight. I can't believe he read it.

[Merrill]

Dean Takko called me on the phone to discuss this, he read it....