our readers write

Lexington District 1 has never seen a tax on homeowners that they did not like. They have been doing this for many years. Prior to 1994 only the elderly and disabled homeowners were exempt from all property taxes—school, city, county—on the first $50,000 of market value of their homes. In 1994, all homeowners received state-funded relief for the school operating taxes on the first $100,000 of market value of their homes thanks to “We the People” a Lexington tax protest group. The Schools increased property taxes faster than before and were doubled by 2004. Tax groups formed statewide to fight this at the Statehouse. In 2006, the General Assembly passed Act 388, increasing the state sales tax rate from 5% to 6% in order to generate revenue to fund total elimination of property taxes for school operations on owner-occupied residential property.

Property Tax is the most EVIL TAX imposed on man. It is not based on a persons ability to pay but what the tax assessor pulls out of his hat. His bosses (County Council and School Boards) want all they can get each year. He just appraises your property higher than it is worth to appease them.

Now they have big business helping them to put it on the backs of homeowners. Businesses can pass it on and they keep their profits. Let big business pay for this by imposing IMPACT FEES on the developers; which will take care of the school growth. I received a post card in the mail and have seen many signs that state “EVERY1WINS” It is put out by big business and tells you to vote YES on November 6, but does not state it will raise all homeowners property taxes as it is not paid by Act 388. So you get two tax increases if you vote YES for it. Can you afford more taxes, are you on a fixed income and retired, or do you make as much as these CEO’S do? If so, will you vote YES for more taxes? Just look in the paper and see all the homeowners that are already losing their homes because they cannot afford to pay their property taxes now. I say VOTE NO ON NOVEMBER 6.

David R. Whetsell, Lexington