TAXES: The education imperative

As a senior citizen I too am frustrated by ever-increasing property taxes due primarily to school levies. Likewise, I don’t have kids, or grandkids, attending Kootenai County schools. Nonetheless, I don’t begrudge taxes to fund education. When I was a kid in school, the seniors of that time helped fund my education. Considering my work career was a result of a good education, that contributed to the well-being of American society. Paying it forward is a good thing.

The frustration experienced by my fellow seniors is a result of some Kootenai County legislators refusing to vote for education funding as mandated by the Idaho State Constitution and in violation of their oath of office:

59-401. LOYALTY OATH — FORM. Before any officer elected or appointed to fill any office created by the laws of the state of Idaho enters upon the duties of his office, he must take and subscribe an oath, to be known as the official oath, which is as follows:

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Idaho, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of (insert office) according to the best of my ability.”

When our legislators fail to fund education to be shared by all Idaho taxpayers, it then falls on the backs of property owners to fund Kootenai County schools through levies.

I suspect many seniors lamenting the increase in their property tax bill voted for legislators that through their recalcitrance to fund education, are the true culprits in increasing property taxes.

Scoundrels, every one.

MIKE BLACKBIRD

Post Falls