Making no promises

Vote one way on Question 1 and a television ad says it “could” reduce property taxes “up to” 15 percent. “Could” reduce taxes? That doesn’t sound like much of a guarantee to me.

A different ad says vote another way for real property tax relief with no “substantial” increase in state taxes. Not much of a deal here either. It sounds like what may be saved in property taxes may be collected in state taxes instead.

In my opinion, a cut would mean if your property tax is $1,000 this year, a 10 percent cut would mean a reduction to $900 next year. I’m ready to begin taking bets that would not be the case. Most likely if your property tax went from $1,000 this year to $1,100 next year you would be told it would have been even higher if not for the cut. This is why one ad says their proposal “could” reduce taxes “up to.” They know they cannot promise it will happen.

When politicians begin to talk about property tax “cuts” or “relief” ask them if they will guarantee whatever you are now paying for taxes will be less next year. Not one is willing to make that promise.

Jerry Robichaud

Newpor