I am in favor of the sales tax, but do not like the way the Project Anchorage plan would distribute it.
It seems to me that the Assembly is planning to distribute two-thirds of the proceeds to the most privileged members of our community, i.e., property owners, and one-third to the chosen recipients of the Anchorage Economic Development Corp. This is taxing the most vulnerable members of our city and rewarding the most privileged.
My family and I are property owners in Anchorage. We have benefited from this privilege for 50-plus years. We have paid our property taxes every year and benefited from the way the monies have been spent supporting our cities services.
I think the money collected from the 3% tax should be spent to maintain and support existing amenities in our city. In this way, it will benefit the most people.
It should not go toward the most privileged — i.e., property owners — and not be allocated to the “wish list” of the AEDC.
— Rich Melms
Anchorage
Have something on your mind? Send to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Letters under 200 words have the best chance of being published. Writers should disclose any personal or professional connections with the subjects of their letters. Letters are edited for accuracy, clarity and length.