Page 24 - Flathead Beacon // 4.15.15

24 | APRIL 15, 2015 OPINION
LETTERS
WASHINGTON POLITICIANS KILLING COAL INDUSTRY
There’s a fight brewing in the Northwest. Elected officials in Washington have pledged to their environmental funders that they’ll do whatever it takes to kill the coal industry. We’re already seeing them try to put that plan in action. Washington regulators are putting up every hurdle they can think of to block the construction of a new export terminal that will ship coal, as well as grain, to Asian markets. And earlier this year, the Washington Legislature proposed legislation that would have forced the shutdown of the Colstrip coal- fired electrical generators.
Of course, their plans would have terrible consequences on jobs, but not in their own state. Almost all the job losses would be centered in Montana if they are successful.
Like I said, there’s a battle brewing. And you don’t bring a knife to a gunfight. That’s why Montana Republicans have come up with our own plans to increase the firepower our state has in this conflict. The Senate has passed a bill (SB 402) to make Washington pay for the largest of the economic impacts of a politically- motivated Colstrip closure. And over in the House, they’ve passed a bill (HB 244) to add $1 million to the attorney general’s budget to fund litigation against attempts to block transportation of Montana commodities.
Montana’s vast coal resources represent one of the largest economic opportunities our state has. To develop more of that natural resource wealth would have a positive impact on every community in the state. We’re not about to allow other states to kill Montana jobs and rob us of our best opportunities.
Sen. Doug Kary Billings
VOTE TO PROTECT HASKILL BASIN
I grew up in Whitefish. It has always been the caring people, natural beauty and pristine environment that have kept me coming back no matter where adventure, school, or work may have taken me. Like many of my fellow citizens I have been a seasonalemployee,homeowner,volunteer member of a few boards, and lover of the outdoors. At the risk of sounding like an old man, I have also seen myriad change in my hometown, mostly for the better. Personally, I cannot think of a more important topic than the protection of our watershed. I have attended the informational meetings and talked to a number of Whitefish residents and business owners about the opportunity to leverage millions of dollars in grants and raise funds to protect our drinking
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water, access to recreation, our view corridor towards the Whitefish Range and important wildlife habitat in the Haskill Basin area. It appears that most residents are supportive of the increase in the resort tax; however, there have been a few individuals I have spoken with who are not in favor of the tax increase. Those I have talked to that are opposed to the 1 percent increase seem to be unaware of the all facts surrounding the project or are confused by incorrect information and rumor. I have also noted erroneous information in some of the recent letters to the editor and the opinion column. I did my homework and came up with this pertinent information:
The easement will not “allegedly” protect the water supply to Whitefish and recreational opportunities. This easement will legally and permanently protect our water supply as well as make legal all the rights the city requires as a municipality to operate, maintain, and deliver clean water to residents and visitors.
The money funding the parking structure and City Hall is Tax Increment Fund (TIF) money. Those funds cannot be used outside of the TIF district, so any discussion of utilizing those funds is moot.
News stories about the Haskill Basin project started appearing in June 2013, and many public meetings have occurred. Later on Feb. 17, 2015 city council approved to bring the resort tax funding option to the voters. The public has had ample time to be informed and decide how to vote in the April 8 – 28 special ballot election.
According to the surveys conducted, other options like an increase in water rates or a general obligation bond that would raise property taxes are a concern for those on a fixed income.
The additional 1 percent to protect our watershed will expire in 10 years, along with the current 2 percent. The resort tax will not be here forever, unless residents vote to reaffirm it before it sunsets in 2025.
The current 2 percent resort tax was approved by 56 percent of voters in 1995 on lodging, restaurants, prepared food, alcoholic beverages and specific “non-essential” retail items. The vote established the tax, the taxable items, and where the money can be spent; 65 percent on existing streets and all associated utilities, 5 percent for bicycle paths and other capital park improvements, 5 percent for the collecting merchant’s administration costs, and 25 percent for property tax relief.
City residents approved the resort tax again in 2004 for an additional 20 years, this time with 76 percent approval. Revenue from the 2 percent resort tax over the past 17 years has provided $14,401,337 in street improvements, $6,561,127 has been returned to city taxpayers in the form of property tax relief, $784,814 in
park projects, and $784,814 for merchant administrative costs.
If voters pass to increase the resort tax, 25 percent of the additional penny on the dollar will provide an estimated $3,634,456 returned to city taxpayers in the form of property tax relief over 10 years. State law mandates that the resort tax cannot exceed 3 percent. If the 1 percent increase raises the necessary funds for Haskill Basin faster than expected, then the balance of the 1 percent collected goes to additional property tax relief.
In summary, we will be protecting the watershed while legally securing access to the water itself and the ability to recreate on the land in perpetuity. Millions in grant money and federal funds have been secured to offset the amount needed to pay for the land, which is being sold at a discount thanks to the Stoltze family. If we pay the remaining $7.7 million by the proposed 1 percent increase in resort tax, it will spread the financial burden across more than half a million annual visitors, instead of just the 5,200 Whitefish households. This vote is a no-brainer for Whitefish. I am hopeful my fellow citizens will make the right decision and vote “for” the protection of Haskill Basin.
Zak Anderson Whitefish
TWO-PARTY SYSTEM NO LONGERREPRESENTSWORKING CLASS
In answer to the ever-growing national debt and the obvious need for entitlement reform, Democrats are all rhetoric and no action. Similarly, Republicans have much to say about campaign finance reform and tax avoidance schemes used by mega corporations, but nothing is ever done. Neither party has the courage to address these issues. Democrats fear losing votes from entitlement recipients and Republicans fear losing campaign contributions from the top 1 percent of their constituents that enjoy tax avoidance legislation in exchange for their generous campaign donations. Lobbyists numbering 40,000 at last count are firmly entrenched in our nation’s capital and are all clamoring for special favors. The only remedy for this sorry situation that I see is to vote out of office all entrenched career politicians and replace them with representatives that are truly of, by and for the people. The two-party system no longer represents the working class in our nation. Both parties are beholden first and foremost to corporate cronies, bankers, billionaires, leftist unions and one-worlders. Can candidates without party affiliation be elected to office? Until now, I think in most cases, probably not, but today incumbents of both parties are held in such low esteem, new blood may actually have a chance. I can only hope.
Bill Payne Libby
LETTERS
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CORRECTIONS
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