Letter: Sales tax proposals would benefit affluent, not the poor

In the Feb. 14 newspaper I saw two articles about projects that would require an increase in sales tax.

Yes, it would be nice to have the Broadway-style theater in Kennewick and also have the cultural access program that Lisa Toomey proposes. My complaint is that I do not believe sales tax is the way to get it, because too many of the poor who cannot afford the tax also cannot afford to use the facilities.

There are many who operate way below the poverty level and it is not fair to ask them to pay for what the more affluent will use. I have personally known people who have had to survive on about $500 a month from Social Security disability. People on any kind of aid/welfare would not be able to afford to use these services or realistically afford this tax.

Maybe we should also charge more tax to see that the poor and senior citizens could afford to go too (a bit of sarcasm).

This story was originally published February 24, 2016 at 5:54 PM with the headline "Letter: Sales tax proposals would benefit affluent, not the poor."