A working-class guide to the ballot initiatives

I'll keep this short because some of us have our hands full keeping this town turning.

Ballot measure 1 is an obvious no.

Juneau is a rich community and the people reaping the greatest benefit, the propertied class, should chip in the most. 

Ballot measure 2 is an obvious yes.

I hear too many people hemming and hawing about the revenue stream and talking about how it "would be nice," how we want 2 and 3 but; how if 3 were to pass without 2 it would only mean an extra $117 per adult per month, etc. That's a bag of groceries and some of us are tight for it.

Let us be clear here. Taxing food is morally reprehensible. If there is one mother who can't afford milk, we have all failed.

Vote yes on 2.

Ballot measure 3 is another no.

I'll grant this is less obvious, but the real core issue here is using sales tax to pay for everything. Sales taxes are just inherently regressive (they impact working-class people the hardest). The city can generate other revenue streams, could listen to the electorate when it comes to budget allocations, or just do more to capture the revenue that we as a community are already generating. Sadly that would take a little courage from our leadership here so don't hold your breath.

As you make these decisions, think about your neighbors. The budget will always take hard work and require hard decisions. We as a community are wise enough and rich enough to face the challenge without increasingly burdening our working-class families.

Clayton Hamilton 

Juneau