As a senior citizen who has lived in Juneau for 38 years, I feel compelled to respond to a recent letter to the editor. I believe that a strong, healthy community requires a balanced approach to our local taxation and to our programs and services for all our residents. Kate Troll and six of the other assembly members made a decision to bring our sales tax system into better balance, based on demographic data that indicated in the next 16 years Juneau’s senior population is expected to double. By 2025, if no changes were made, the full senior sales tax exemption was projected to cost the city $9.8 million each year in lost revenues. By preserving the senior sales tax exemption on food, utilities, and other essentials, and continuing the broader exemption for those in need, the Assembly made sure the program will continue for years to come.
I do not vote for or against someone based on one issue. I base my support for a candidate on the entire “body of work.” For example, out of fairness to working families, Kate Troll has consistently voted to put on the ballot the question of raising the sales tax by 1 percent and taking sales tax off food for everyone. Unfortunately, there were not five votes to put the question on the ballot. She has been a champion for education funding and creating housing diversity in Juneau. She has voted every year for full funding of the Juneau School District budget. She has worked on CBJ land disposals to create 30 multi-family units of housing and has been a tireless supporter of Housing First. She has supported zoning changes to allow more child care centers in Juneau and she has been active in improving Juneau’s transit system and developing solutions to our solid waste problem.
In these uncertain financial times, Juneau needs someone with Kate Troll’s depth of experience and knowledge of the issues facing our community. I have been impressed with Kate Troll’s service to our community and to the state over the years. Please join me in voting for Kate Troll on Oct. 4.
John Pugh,
Juneau