A Reader Letter in the Friday, December 30th, Portland Tribune
Parents should pay most of schools’ cost
In regard to your recent article concerning the ongoing financial problems of Portland Public Schools, I submit the following proposal (School measure comes into focus, Dec. 13): People with children should pay their equal share of the burden. I am single and childless and feel that I pay more than my fair share of taxes.
Federal, state and property (funds schools) taxes; outrageous sewer bills (whatever happened to the storm water-fee discount?); as well as utility bills - which are padded with one fee/tax after another -where will it end?
Our taxes are being wasted and mismanaged, by our so-called leaders. We have been duped and lied to long enough. We all need to wake up and smell the coffee!
I have a dog and cat. No one pays my vet bills, nor my pet food bills. Therefore, I feel that it would only be fair if people with children begin kicking in more of their income, toward their children’s education. As it is, everyone already pays into the tax base and public school system, through property taxes. I choose not to have children, and therefore should not have to pay additional taxes.
People who have chosen to have children need to take responsibility for their personal choices. One child in school should equal 1 percent of the parent’s income, in addition to the school taxes we already pay. Two children, 2 percent. You get the idea.
It’s time for the people of Portland to say enough is enough, and open their eyes to this legalized extortion.
Michael A. Manella
Northeast Portland
http://www.portlandtribune.com/archview.cgi?id=33268
Looks like another CF in Portland willing to speak his mind!
In regard to your recent article concerning the ongoing financial problems of Portland Public Schools, I submit the following proposal (School measure comes into focus, Dec. 13): People with children should pay their equal share of the burden. I am single and childless and feel that I pay more than my fair share of taxes.
Federal, state and property (funds schools) taxes; outrageous sewer bills (whatever happened to the storm water-fee discount?); as well as utility bills - which are padded with one fee/tax after another -where will it end?
Our taxes are being wasted and mismanaged, by our so-called leaders. We have been duped and lied to long enough. We all need to wake up and smell the coffee!
I have a dog and cat. No one pays my vet bills, nor my pet food bills. Therefore, I feel that it would only be fair if people with children begin kicking in more of their income, toward their children’s education. As it is, everyone already pays into the tax base and public school system, through property taxes. I choose not to have children, and therefore should not have to pay additional taxes.
People who have chosen to have children need to take responsibility for their personal choices. One child in school should equal 1 percent of the parent’s income, in addition to the school taxes we already pay. Two children, 2 percent. You get the idea.
It’s time for the people of Portland to say enough is enough, and open their eyes to this legalized extortion.
Michael A. Manella
Northeast Portland
http://www.portlandtribune.com/archview.cgi?id=33268
Looks like another CF in Portland willing to speak his mind!