As a small business owner, I’d like to comment on the current Assembly races. Only one sitting Assembly member had the good sense to realize that taxing seniors on things other than consumable food, light, heat and garbage service would hurt seniors in a big way. That smart Assembly member was Mary Becker. She voted against changing the senior sales tax exemption. She knows that taxing seniors on things like bath tissue, dish soap, vitamins and the like will not be healthy or good for seniors. I can tell you that taxing seniors is hard on many local businesses as well.
Years ago the senior tax exemption was put in place to encourage seniors to stay in Juneau. Now the message is loud and clear that seniors are no longer valued or wanted. Only Mary Becker on the current Assembly recognized the devastation that the seniors would face. Seniors don’t get step and column pay increases and the little bit of increase they may get doesn’t keep up with inflation. That translates to much less spending locally when seniors look for ways to economize, such as doing without or shopping online.
As a business person, I respect those who know how to look at a situation reasonably and come up with a good conclusion. Don’t put additional tax burden on seniors. Instead, look to ways of streamlining government services and to cut waste. Vote Mary Becker — the voice of reason and experience on the Assembly.
Dale Hudson,
Juneau