First the state put a toll on the 520 bridge, now they are talking about putting a toll on the I-90 bridge and the new viaduct tunnel. Our state seems to have gone toll crazy. What does this mean?
It means that instead of taxing the rich or the Fortune 500 companies that have their headquarters here, Washington State would rather add to the burden on the 99% by placing tolls on the roads/bridges we use to get to and from work. It seems to me that we already pay enough in sales and property taxes. We are all stretched to the limit, and now the state wants to "tax" us even more with putting tolls on both bridges and the viaduct - all roads used by many of us who cannot afford the toll tax.
Why doesn't the Washington State legislature put a tax on the rich first or increase taxes for businesses making over a certain amount? I think the wealthy, Amazon, Starbucks and Costco can afford to pay a few more taxes; whereas, I can't - and everyone I know can't. We're all still struggling in a down economy - yet, now, we are supposed to pay $3 or $5 each way when we try to get to work, school, and home. That adds up quickly and will have to come out of the food budgets of many.
But then our legislature is not the one we voted in, which had a Democratic majority. Instead, two Democrats have joined with the Republicans in our Senate to create a Republican takeover - and they certainly won't create new taxes on those who can afford it - no, those are their buddies. We are just the people, so we will continue to get burdened while the 1% and wealthy corporations get the tax breaks.
We need to continue to speak up and take our state government back. We need to educate ourselves on what is going on so that we can effect change. Otherwise, we will be "taxed" right out of our ability to have a decent life.
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