BARBIERI: Sails under false colors

The phrase “sailing under false colors” was a reference to a tactic used by pirates roaming the seas to attack vessels with desired booty. By hoisting a friendly flag, the unsuspecting ship would allow the pirates’ ship to approach without resistance, allowing the pirates to storm aboard and capture the ship.

Sailing under false colors describes Rep. Vito Barbieri’s no votes on state school funding, as required the Idaho State Constitution. By consistently voting no Rep. Barbieri and his like voting colleagues have forced 97 of 115 Idaho school districts to run levies to fund education. School levies are funded by increasing property taxes. Kootenai County residents, and particularly harmful to seniors on fixed incomes, have been victimized by Rep. Barbieri’s negative votes on state mandated school funding.

Given the opportunity to show his taxing cutting credibility he instead voted no on giving the Girl Scouts a tax exemption on their iconic cookie sales; Girl Scout cookies for crying out loud!

Rep. Barbieri would have us believe that he’s a tax cutter, but his votes to increase property taxes give lie to his claim. Rep. Barbieri sails under false colors.

MIKE BLACKBIRD

Post Falls