Painful taxation keeps spending under control
To the editor:
Paul Henle, executive director of the Granite State Fair Tax Coalition, reveals in his recent column (March 9) the root of the tax problem in New Hampshire and elsewhere across the country, government overspending.
Henle states that New Hampshire property taxes have increased at a rate of 7.5 percent annually since 1999 and this means the system is broken. This increase at twice the rate of inflation demonstrates a lack of fiscal discipline. Surely adding another revenue source will not curb government's appetite to spend. It will only curb voters' ability to directly control that spending.
Henle further argues that property taxes are unfair, because fixed-income seniors and the unemployed cannot afford the increases. Is it fair to have the productive members of the community pick up the tab for those not working?
As D.J. Bettencourt points out in his counterpoint, a sales tax is not the answer. Much of New Hampshire's competitive advantage is tied to the lack of a sales tax. A sales tax would only cannibalize the existing Business Profits Tax.
Massachusetts is considering a $1 per pack increase in cigarette taxes. This will further enhance BFT revenue as more Massachusetts taxpayers cross the border to avoid sales taxes. Instituting our own sales tax will eventually destroy this competitive advantage and the economy of southern New Hampshire.
Similarly. income taxes are not the answer. They would allow government to hide the extent of increased spending. Additional tax sources will only serve to increase the overall tax burden.
In addition, they create problems with revenue fluctuation. Property taxes provide predictable income to government in good times and in bad. Big property tax increases hurt, especially as the economy weakens. As well they should. The pain results in voters pressuring government to curb spending on a local level.
Fixed-income seniors or the unemployed should not be insulated from this pain through rebates or other gimmicks as Bettencourt suggests. Massachusetts is considering legislation that would shield some seniors from the impacts of Proposition 21/2 overrides, thereby making overrides more likely. It is more likely you will vote for tax increases if you are not subject to them.
We should avoid similar laws here in New Hampshire. If we vote for items requiring large tax increases, all taxpayers should fell the pain. Let's keep taxes where voters can have the most direct control over increases. That is local property taxes.
ALAN HARTLEY
Hampstead, N.H.
Support Limpert, Nobile for School Committee
To the editor:
I am writing to ask the voters of North Andover to vote for School Committee two excellent candidates: Stan Limpert and Chris Nobile.
Stan is a technology professional with many years of management and technology experience in the software and engineering services fields. Chris is a financial services executive who brings strong communication and problem solving skills to the table.
Both have already demonstrated a commitment to our community in volunteer roles. Both have taken the time to educate themselves on the issues facing the North Andover school system.
Stan and Chris have demonstrated a willingness to work in a collaborative manner to further the progress made recently under Dr. Marini, his leadership team and the School Committee. They are aware of the budget and the fiscal restraints our schools operate under. They understand the restraints of local financing of the public schools and will be excellent watchdogs to ensure dollars spent are maximized and always tied to educational outcomes.
They have both spoken of raising standards and academic rigor for all of our students. They will work hard to improve the many things that we already do well. Both Stan and Chris won't just talk the talk of improving education in our schools they will walk the walk, because both are fathers and have chosen to educate any family's most important asset, their children in the North Andover public schools.
There are many issues we face that will need to be solved in a team manner in the near future. Chief among them will be choosing the next superintendent. Both Stan and Chris are the men for the job and I ask that you join me in casting your votes for School Committee on March 25 for Stan Limpert and Chris Nobile.
WILLIAM W. KELLY
North Andover
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Trade agreements lead to centralized government
To the editor:
It has happened there. "It" is the submission of countries to the control of a centralized, unaccountable government — the European Union. The people of Europe could once determine the shape and policies of their governments. No longer!
The EU was built through deception. It began as a seemingly harmless trade community. Bureaucrats brought it into fruition by incrementally allocating more power to "trade officials."
NAFTA, the trade agreement between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, is being grown in the same manner as the EU — only more quickly.
Join us at the Rochester Public Library on April 1 at 7 p.m. to meet the original patriots from Lexington and Concord, while you watch a special DVD, "The Real Face of the European Union," to see what happened to the Brits and to know what to watch out for here.
It is beginning here.
BILL MCNALLY
Windham, N.H.
