Letters to the Editor
Letter to the Editor | Hoping city voters support Proposition 1
I don’t live within the city limits, so I don’t have a vote on this proposition. But I do most of my shopping within the city limits in North Gig Harbor so the Cultural Access sales tax will affect me. Having said that, I urge support for a couple reasons.
First, I enjoy access to many of the non-profit cultural organizations in town that would qualify for this funding. As such, I have supported them financially over the years. But because of the current tax laws affecting tax deductible donations and the slashing of federal grant availability, these organizations are facing unprecedented fiscal challenges that normal fund raising opportunities just can’t meet.
Second, it’s been estimated that some 70% of expenditures within the city limits come from visitors and nonresidents. For residents, this is found money in the form of sales tax revenue that helps to keep these organizations open for the benefit of all. An additional tax of one-tenth of one percent amounting to just one penny per $10 (excluding food, drugs and fuel) seems like a terrific bargain. Especially since visitors and non-residents like me will carry most of the load.
Dennis Hardman
Gig Harbor