Tax pays for public safety

I am writing to encourage voters to vote yes on Proposition 1 when they receive their Aug. 18 primary ballot. Proposition 1 would renew a countywide sales tax that has been in place since 2004; it is not a tax increase.

This tax amounts to 0.1 of 1 percent of countywide sales tax or one penny on every $100 spent on all nongrocery items. This ongoing tax is shared between the county and cities and is distributed to the cities on a per capita basis.

Every penny of this tax stays right here in Spokane County to help fund criminal justice and public safety programs such as the Sheriff’s Office, the prosecutor’s office, the courts, as well as the county jail.

Republicans and Democrats alike support this proposition because it makes sound economic sense to support these kinds of programs even in difficult economic times. Sadly, criminal activity only increases when times are hard. A vote in favor of Proposition 1 is a vote that supports programs and people who are working hard to make our community safer.

Shane D. Smith

Spokane