Flat tax idea is ridiculous

The battle is continuing over Gov. Jan Brewer's desire to increase the state sales tax in the wake of her veto of parts of the state budget and her call for the Legislature to return to deal with the issue.

Previously, the Republican state legislative leaders and governor had agreed to ask voters to hike the state sales tax with the trade-off of creating a flat individual income tax, a plan which failed to get approval. It may be resurrected in the special budget session.

The proposed flat tax would provide major relief for those at the top of the income scale and higher taxes for some of those near the bottom.

What? Is that just relief for those who can afford to contribute more to the Republican legislative’s political campaigns? Come on, Gov. Brewer - you know the job that has to be done, so stick with it.

Senate President Bob Burns said the goal would be to make the change "revenue neutral," meaning the amount collected under a new tax plan would be virtually unchanged from what the current structure produces.

I am retired and live off of Social Security, and am willing to sacrifice an extra percent of sales tax when it is obvious that it’s needed, but not with such a ridiculous trade-off.

With the governor's interest in doing what is right, I (heaven forbid) might vote for her in the next election, even though she is a Republican.

I don’t really frown on the Ideals of all Republicans, but to those that I do, "bring it on," as was once profoundly stated by an infamous Republican statesman whose name has already slipped my mind.

ROBERT BETZ

Yuma