Basing levy on income would devastate poor

After my last letter to the editor, I received a telephone call questioning my wisdom. The question came up about the advisability of basing the school levy on income rather than property taxes.

 In 2008, with a tax based on income, I would pay approximately four times as much as I currently pay with tax based on property values.

 There are several things that would need to be considered in figuring a tax based on income: Should “income” be total income or taxable income? Should it include only earned income, or also unearned income? How can we consider the workers that have children going to school in LPOSD, but they work in Priest River, or Newport, Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene, or even Spokane? That income would be lost to LPOSD. Of course that loss is tempered by those who live in those places but work within the boundaries of LPOSD. Who tracks this?

 Other revenue that would be lost are the taxes on the multi-million dollar pieces of property owned by people who do not earn any money in the LPOSD.

 In short, basing a tax on income would be devastating to those near the poverty level. Basing it on earned income only would make it devastating for those above the poverty level. In short, it’s not a good idea.

 This levy will not raise our taxes. It replaces the levy that is running out. The justification is there. Support our schools. Vote yes.

LARRY SMITH

Sandpoint