Be informed about your taxes, and vote!

First, thank you to all my supportive friends who contributed to this Q & A. I appreciate your encouragement and help. And, by the way, I am a home educator. People like to bring that up, as if it's the "why" of my stand against this. I'm actually the only home educator who helped with this information. (In fact, one public school teacher got in on it, too. Thanks, girl!) We all believe that what the local government is asking for far exceeds what they need.

I think it's only fair that we have our own question and answer site. I understand where they are coming from, and I respect that view point. So I expect the same courtesy in exchange.

Now, let’s get down to brass tacks. Here's my PRO-family, PRO-home,

PRO-keep-your-own-money, PRO-wise-spending-for-education information:

What amount of tax increase are we talking about?

Passage of this proposal will increase taxes from 52.1 to 57.5, which is more than 10%. The most famous property-tax revolt occurred in California in 1978 when voters approved Proposition 13, which limited annual increases to 2 percent and led the way for copycat proposals in nearly half the states.



What would the new building cost?

$53,201,029 …yep, you heard right…53 MILLION DOLLARS. I guess we’re building the Taj Mahal.

Actually, they’re projecting $140.34 per square foot…did you know you could build on Hilton Head for that amount of money? Really. Look it up.

How can we afford 53 million dollars?

We can’t. With the economy struggling, people are already cutting costs and trying to stay afloat. I for one, think that money is used most wisely by the family who earns it.

Will local small businesses be affected?

You bet! Property taxes will go up for them, too. Our small businesses will be hurt as much as residential homes. 10% increase for everyone.

If the state funding follows the student and if the District is growing, why can’t the District build the new high school with the increased state revenue?


The money does follow the child. However, the state Foundation or Matrix rate of funding per student does not include a funding component for facilities. Blah, blah, blah.

This is a faulty system. There’s a tax pot that we can’t dip into. They have enough tax money, but they can’t use it…so they need more tax money. Clear as mud?

When the bond expires, will taxes go back down?

Hahahahaha. Oh, excuse me, I was rolling on the floor. When have you EVER known taxes to just go back down? Only when there is a tax revolt or tax laws are completely reformed. It might take a miracle. So, if this passes, be prepared to pay hundreds more EVERY year from here on out.



How much of our income already goes to taxes?

In 2008, Americans will work 74 days to afford their federal taxes and 39 more days to pay state and local taxes. Meanwhile, buying food requires 35 days of work, clothing 13 days, and housing 60 days. Other major categories are health and medical care (50 days), transportation (29 days), and recreation (21 days). YIKES.

Days Americans Work to Pay Taxes Compared to Other Expenses, 2008

How high are Arkansas’s taxes compared to other states?

Arkansas is ranked 13th in the country in overall tax burden. Four years ago we were ranked 15th. Five years ago we were ranked 29th. We are definitely moving in the wrong direction.

When is the election?

The election is June 10th.

Early voting starts TODAY, June 3rd (and goes through Friday) at the County Clerks on Lincoln Street.

Vote NO to another tax increase.

And, just for fun, if you’d like to look at figures, go here.
If you’d like to see a fun little tax song on YouTube, go here. ;-)