GOOKIN: Tale of tax tape

Dan Gookin’s LTE, Sun Nov. 18 — Solid! Unfortunately many residents, and most if not all of our local representation, fail to realize that we cannot stand steadfast against taxation while growth overwhelms antiquated infrastructure and over-utilized and outdated services. Funding for transportation, public safety, staffing and critical infrastructure lag behind metro areas in southern Idaho. Why?

Around here there seems to be a tendency to wait until things explode rather than to plan ahead. This is a costly and inefficient approach which bites all of us eventually.

So to our local representatives: It’s time to join together and get focused on the issues of growth. The time for action is now. Our growth, in population and tax revenue, gives us much-needed leverage. It’s time to flex that muscle and to put southern Idaho’s insatiable appetite for tax dollars on notice. We also need more control over taxation at the local level. While we may not want to pay more tax, then at least make the tax bite more equitable.

REID HARLOCKER

Hayden