New Mexico Liberty

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Thomas Molitor

No such thing as a temporary tax increase

  
   > "This temporary tax is going to be in place long after most of us are gone," said Rep. Donald Bratton, R-Hobbs.<

I strongly disagree with what I call "expedient, pseudo" tax-hike solutions to address a budgetary problem in the present with a promise it will be reversed in the future. I guess I am for cutting spending in the present, with no obligation to cutting spending in the future, to a "temporary tax increase" which ultimately proves very hard to unwind. For example, from the state I was raised in, California, it sells public works projects as "we will charge a usage charge until we recapture the original cost of the construction." Guess what? The Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco, built in the 30s, was supposed to recoup its costs in 10 years and the toll fare would be removed and crossing the Bay would be free. Today, it costs $6 to cross the bridge. That's not unlike the cost of a ride at Disneyland. Bottom line: Cut spending in the present not hike taxes.

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