Jennifer Baysinger and Mike Shatz: Vote ‘no’ on tax hike proposal

We are members of Coalition for a Better Wichita. This is an incredibly diverse group, brought together by the common thread of opposition to the proposed sales tax in Wichita.

When we say diverse, we mean it. There are people and organizations in the coalition with whom we often agree, and those with whom we frequently disagree. The bottom line is, it doesn’t matter. We’ve come together for a common cause – telling Wichitans the truth about the proposed sales tax and encouraging them to vote “no” on Nov. 4.

Our reasons for opposition vary and are too many to list here, but let us mention a few:

▪  Businesses should locate where they benefit from the best market economics, not where the city council will provide corporate handouts. Taxpayers shouldn’t pay for a slush fund for the city’s political friends.

▪  There is no long-term plan for transit. It’s an important issue, but we need an efficient and effective permanent solution before the city should expect voters to sign over their money. Millions of dollars allocated on the ballot for transit go to debt repayment because the system already doesn’t work.

▪  We need a better plan for water. Even water experts don’t all agree on the Aquifer Storage and Recovery project. Let’s take the time to find something that works for Wichita long term. Those who use the water should pay for the water. We should encourage conservation (talk of which is completely missing from the city and the “yes” crowd).

▪  Street improvements are a great idea – that’s why we pay taxes and why each city has a fund in place for streets. Where is Wichita’s street fund? The City Council diverted much of it to the library project and other random ideas. Now it needs more money to do what it was supposed to do in the first place. Because the city can’t live within it means, it wants more of your money.

▪  This tax hurts families, retired people and many others. This is a 14 percent increase in the sales tax on nearly everything you buy – including your groceries. How can we do this as a city to those already struggling to simply put food on the table?

Wichitans deserve the right to vote on these issues separately. They should not have been bundled together just so the jobs slush fund would pass. The City Council needs to come back with real solutions for water, streets and transit. Try some new ideas. Then split the vote, and let Wichitans decide on each one individually.

Please vote “no” on Nov. 4.

This story was originally published October 25, 2014 at 7:02 PM with the headline "Jennifer Baysinger and Mike Shatz: Vote ‘no’ on tax hike proposal."