Letter: Out-of-state shoppers won’t have to pay for The Link
The vote for “The Link” facility is now, and still inaccurate/incorrect information continues to be presented to the voting public.
In addition to Barbara Johnson’s (Kennewick Public Facilities District chair) statement, we now have Dean Strawn, a former district member, chiming in on the source of funding. Both have stated that all shoppers in Kennewick will pay for “The Link” through sales taxes charged on the majority of their purchases. As I have stated before, this is simply not true.
Out-of-state shoppers from several neighboring states, primarily Oregon, are exempt from paying any sales tax. Check the license plates in parking lots and you will see the impact. Washington Department of Revenue has estimated that $60 million in 2016 will be lost due to not collecting sales tax from all shoppers. Our elected state representatives and senator could correct this giveaway if they wanted to.
Additionally, in my recent conversation with the director of sales for the convention center, I was informed that the performing arts portion of “The Link” would only be a temporary facility, pending completion of the Vista Field facility. When we will be asked to pay for that also? Think before you vote!
Michael Cochrane, Kennewick
This story was originally published July 19, 2016 at 3:31 AM with the headline "Letter: Out-of-state shoppers won’t have to pay for The Link."