Choice between philosophies must be made

August 16, 2005

Spectrum/Rep. Vic Kohring

In a well-written reply to my recent essay on the local tax initiative, Municipal League advocate Kathie Wasserman asks me to consider reversing my position. She wrote, "Should taxpayers revolt when their property taxes get so high that they are priced out of their homes?" My answer is no! They should revolt well before then, when government starts wasting taxpayers' money on unneeded programs.

Twice Ms. Wasserman refers to either "community desires" or "most Alaskan communities feel Š" as if communities were living, breathing entities. This notion is referred to by political scientists as the "organic fallacy." Only individuals can think, feel or believe. When someone wishes to turn public policy toward their own interest, they typically use words such as "feels" or "needs." What it really means is that a loud, outspoken special-interest group wants something and wants to have everyone else pay for it.

This is what happened to communities such as Wasilla. We previously had no local tax and few complaints. Then a small group of people calling themselves "Watch on Wasilla" began to agitate for a "mere" 2-percent sales tax to pay for a police force. When asked what would prevent the tax from increasing in the future to pay for more government, the response was, "That will never happen because it's for police only."

After several attempts by tax advocates, Wasilla residents eventually voted by a slim margin to create a 2 percent sales tax. A few years later, the tax was bringing in more than was needed to pay for the police. But instead of cutting the tax burden to 1 percent, the tax was actually increased to build a sports arena Š "for the kids."

Ms. Wasserman writes "Š we see communities that must provide basic services borne only on the backs of taxpayers." But this is precisely the error. Communities all over Alaska provide more than "basic services." Many provide far too many programs outside the scope of government's responsibility, including such touchy-feely things as flower baskets, volleyball pits, concrete skateboard parks and Christmas decorations.

If local governments focused on basic functions such as roads and public safety, there would be sufficient revenue to fully fund essentials without squeezing the taxpayer for more money and threatening to take away a senior citizen's property tax exemption and forcing them to sell their home.

This should be the goal of all public officials, to make our governments so lean and efficient that the people won't have to fear the Tax Man.

As a legislator, I have consistently voted for fewer taxes and eliminating bureaucratic waste. I have proudly been a tightwad with my constituents' money. This philosophy is a direct extension of our Founding Fathers' idea of a limited government.

Kathy Wasserman writes that we should take state tax money and hand it to another level of government, local municipalities. Not coincidentally, Ms. Wasserman works for the Alaska Municipal League, so she logically argues her case for government. I work for my constituents as individuals. They have rights and expectations that should be respected and allowed to wax or wane.

The bottom line remains the same. Either protect the rights and wallets of individuals by fighting to keep government small, or defend government and use euphemisms such as "the people feel" or the "community needs," as Ms. Wasserman does. It's a choice of individual liberty or government expansion. Wealth, growth and freedom, or poverty, stagnation and controls. You be the judge.

Rep. Vic Kohring is a six-term Republican who represents the Wasilla area in the state Legislature.