Taxes are for common good

Mike Volz and Mike Baumgartner express displeasure about paying taxes for public education during this pandemic. Funding public education is a critical State responsibility and public good. The working effort of teaching and connecting with students is in full operation. Those discontent about paying taxes in support of public goods, services and common social benefit are short-sighted.

In addition to public schools, residents benefit from roads, infrastructure, public health, utility services, public safety and fire services, courts, state parks and other common goods. Our regressive tax system means lower income residents pay disproportionately more in sales, gas and excise tax than the wealthiest – are Volz and Baumgartner disturbed about that?

One remedy for common good is a capital gains tax on the sale of property (other than primary residence), businesses, investment and stock sales. Those who can pay more according to their wealth should pay more. Lack of affordable housing loomed large before the pandemic because of policies that benefit those with wealth avoiding their fair share of taxes. Equitable taxing/funding policies encourage private/public partnerships to fund truly mixed configurations-mixed use zoning for integrated affordable housing.

Funding public education has everything to do with housing! Families with children need habitable, safe stable housing. It’s a huge determiner of social, academic and workforce success; families that are constantly stressed over losing housing or shelter cannot focus on academic progress. The problem is not a lack of fiscal resource wealth – it is political will and dearth of justice for all.

Marilyn Darilek

Spokane