This is what to do with your vote on adding a 2 percent tax on sales of alcohol and marijuana:
- Vote “no” on both measures.
- Wait one year until a voter initiative — or the assembly — dedicates income from both these taxes to a comprehensive, community recreation program.
- Vote “yes” on both measures in 2020.
About a year ago, when I was advocating these taxes, I had a discussion with distillery owner Heather Shade. Shade asked me an important question: “Do you really need the money?” I answered “yes.”
I still believe our government needs this money to balance out the costs to our town from alcohol and drug abuse. But the question on Tuesday’s ballot isn’t likely to achieve that. With use of the tax open-ended, revenues generated will just just as likely be spent on inflated raises or other Christmas presents down at City Hall.
Despite the best efforts of several of us, during my three years as a member the assembly has caved to administrations intent on building a larger borough government, not necessarily a better one. Unfortunately, many people in government don’t think outside the box. They just want a bigger box.
Since my tenure started in 2016, what’s gotten bigger in the borough is the police department and wages and benefits for government workers. (With the police chief’s whopping raise, we’ll see executive wages soar in the coming years to reach “parity” with his inflated salary.)
What’s gotten smaller is support for nonprofit organizations and community recreation. Pool hours have been curtailed and a small effort made to encourage recreation by providing free swims for kids was ditched after one year.
This government’s priorities are not in synch with community needs or wishes.
Let’s wait a year and dedicate these taxes for recreation, similar to how the 1 percent sales tax is dedicated to tourism promotion. That can be achieved either by assembly action or by a citizen’s initiative. Locking in revenues for recreation would keep politicians from wasting tax income on office assistants, unmarked police cars or other unnecessary bling.
Drinking and smoking pot are forms of luxury recreation with spin-off effects including lost health and productivity, diminished social and family relationships and, in the case of alcohol, reckless and criminal behavior.
Recreation activities tend to improve health and worker productivity and boost family and social relationships, while reducing time, opportunity and likelihood of reckless and criminal behavior.
By dedicating alcohol and pot taxes, one form of recreation pays for another form, one that’s more healthful and beneficial. As a result, our town will become healthier, with fewer demands for police, health care and other services.
Dedicated to recreation, these taxes wouldn’t be so much of a penalty as an enhancement of positive outcomes. Under this model, every drink or joint buys a drinker or smoker a healthful alternative to smoking and drinking. What could make more sense?
Vote “no” Tuesday, and plan to vote “yes” on Oct. 6, 2020.