DON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN
by Karl Peterjohn

"So called 'Temporary' tax and fee hikes have repeatedly been made permanent in this state," warned Karl Peterjohn executive director of the Kansas Taxpayers Network. "The Sedgwick County commission's proposal described in the September 1 Wichita Eagle to double the existing local sales tax for a downtown Wichita arena is the latest example of this ominous trend."

Back in the 1980's the current countywide local sales tax was created and this money was supposed to be split for two purposes: creating a freeway on Kellogg/US 54 in Wichita and to cut local property taxes. "Every Wichita motorist knows where we stand on the Kellogg freeway," said Peterjohn, "but every property taxpayer knows their property tax bills have grown in the last 20 years too."

Other examples of so-called 'temporary' taxes and fees include the 2002 sales tax hike that raised state rates from 4.9% to 5.3%. "Then Governor Graves called for this temporary sales tax hike that after several different tax bills being voted upon by the legislature current Governor Sebelius made this so-called 'temporary' sales tax hike permanent earlier this year," Peterjohn said.

The most egregious example of governmental "bait 'n switch" fiscal policies is the Kansas Turnpike. The Kansas Turnpike was built back in the 1950's using 30 year bonds to fund this project. The bonds were paid off over 15 years ago and this road was supposed to be paid off back in the 1980's. These turnpike tolls have continued and were even raised again earlier this year.

Peterjohn spoke in opposition to the proposed downtown arena at the August 25, 2004 Sedgwick County commission meeting and was joined by a large number of citizens who expressed opposition to the proposed hike in county taxes and spending.

"There is a wonderful model for the county and this arena proposal right here in Wichita and that's Koch Arena at W.S.U.," Peterjohn said. "This facility was totally remodeled recently without any tax increase and the price tag was $25 million, a small fraction of the amount proposed for the downtown arena (roughly $200 million) and remodeling the Kansas Coliseum ($56 million) and THAT OCCURRED WITHOUT A PENNY OF TAX FUNDS BEING SPENT!"

Peterjohn's August testimony to the Sedgwick County commission is posted on KTN's web site: www.kansastaxpayers.com. Sedgwick County currently has no legal authority to raise local sales taxes and even if voters approve any local sales tax hike, the legislature and governor will have to change current state law for any tax hike to take effect.