(Letter to the Editor - Graphic Illustration/MetroCreativeConnection)

The so-called “surplus” is as many of us thought. It’s based on underestimated revenue and the stimulus funds from the COVID-19 stimulus bills sent to all the states. A total deception in the guise of passing a tax reduction law. Then, there’s the inventory repeal, credits (another deception) in the income tax reduction bill. As we know, that amendment was overwhelmingly denied by the voters in the past election.

Elimination of the income tax, inventory tax, and personal property tax. Deferring this tax decrease to another era of a legislature is also another deception. It’s obvious that this amount of revenue deduction can’t be counted upon, according to the legislators that placed within the current bill. Which will be quickly realized when it raises its ugly head.

Once that federal stimulus and other federal revenue stops, then that anticipated revenue stops. The current surplus was created by the COVID relief stimulus funding and the Inventory Reduction Act. Along with the Deficit Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Bill, which the Congress Republican majority voted against.

Which means bringing back or imposing some additional tax on the inventory of businesses, personal property and income tax to balance deficits to fund the state’s budget. The Republicans in D.C. want to impose a 34% increase in the income tax, (a national sales tax they call it) in the future to fund their budget for the repeal of taxes that only benefit the wealthy and hurt the middle class and the poor. This means when you purchase anything the cost for that item automatically increases by 34%. These tax repeals are a mirage.

The Republican majority proposals in the Congress are only a deception used by the ultra-conservative (Americans for Prosperity/ the Koch brothers, the Chamber of Commerce, the Heritage Foundation, etc.) Republican majority to impose that 34% national income tax. Of which their main purpose of this deception is to not fund and to eliminate Social Security and Medicare, the Affordable Care Act and other social programs Republicans want to privatize.

These proposals will only benefit the wealthiest 2%. Those people that already own 99% of Wall Street investments. This legislation was probably written by ALEC (the American Legislative Exchange Council) where legislators that are members of this ultra-conservative anti-worker, anti-union organization are provided written legislation to benefit the wealthy at the expense of working families in exchange for campaign donations and passage of the legislation by Governor Justice and the Republican controlled legislature.

There was no mention of a wage increase for public employee retirees so they could have at least some revenue increases to offset PEIA costs, co-pay and deductibles.

The legislature should be using the current surplus to properly fund PEIA, the state’s budget and pay our bills rather than giving corporate CEOs huge tax breaks. When someone is killed or maimed in their dangerous work environment, tort reform is the unethical answer. In other words, this super majority Republican legislature is telling working people if a family member or friend is maimed or killed on the job and files for relief so they can continue to support their families. Their families, if they lose their life in an accident or need long-term care. Their life to these Republicans is in essence saying, your life is only worth $250,000 if you’re maimed or killed by a work-related accident. Amazing.

Jerry L. Payne

Ripley