Confused about voting on the sales tax yet again this Oct. 3?

Write “2005-09” on your left hand. Label your right hand “Prop 5.” The assembly passed 2005-09 last year in the spring and sought to raise sales tax from 2 to 3 percent. State Statute Title 29 (AS 29.45.670) is very clear: “an increase in the rate of levy of a sales tax approved by ordinance does not take effect until ratified by a majority of the voters at an election.” The assembly broke the law when they refused to automatically put the increase to a vote. The Alliance of Concerned Taxpayers (ACT) immediately began a referendum which allows the people to remove bad legislation.

When Prop 5, the sales tax cap, passed, it became the law. Place your right hand completely over your left hand, because the sales tax cap supersedes Ordinance 2005-09, which is why the sales tax did not increase as scheduled.

Ordinance 2005-09 has two other parts that ACT felt the voters wouldn’t like if only they knew about them. Consequently, voters will have the opportunity to reject or retain the whole Ordinance 2005-09 in the referendum this Oct. 3. If voters reject the ordinance, ball up your left hand and put it behind your back, because the whole law goes away. However, if the voters choose to retain the law, the sales tax part will still be covered with your right hand — just as it has all this year.

So, what’s the problem? The borough administration stated that if the voters retain Ordinance 2005-09, the borough sales tax will go up to 3 percent as soon as the election is certified. That breaks the law. Apparently they’ve figured out that they can break the law — because what are you going to do, sue them? Are you tired of this attitude? Yes? Remember to vote that “yes” on Proposition 2. Send a message that you expect them to obey the law.

Vicki Pate, president

Alliance of Concerned Taxpayers

Nikiski