In response to Carrie Tett’s column on the 1 percent sales tax increase, she is justified in saying that the Story County schools are jumping the gun by making plans for these funds that have not yet been approved.

Her concerns that this tax would be unfair to those who are not from this area are unfounded.

There are those of us who own homes, pay property tax and do not have children in local schools. Does this mean we should be exempt from property tax?

We all contribute to the community whether we make this our permanent home or not.

I do not understand how there are those out there who can complain about the quality of schools, how buildings are falling apart, that music programs are being cut and then refuse to vote to pay an extra penny on the dollar that would help solve these problems!

We are a community, and we need to support the schools in that community. Someday, you may have children. Do you want your child in a building that isn’t up to code, and then comes the possibility to fix the problem, and the local community refuses to come to the school’s aid?

That is what people like you are doing. We MUST aid the community. And frankly, 7 percent is not that bad in the scheme of things. There are places out there in the world with much higher taxes.

We can live with it if it benefits OUR children. It takes a village, Carrie.

And if you still think that we should not be paying this 1 percent increase, I propose you attack the new housing developments that are offering tax abatement. These developments are a huge loss in revenue, and those that can afford a new house should be able to afford the taxes that go with it.

Elizabeth Rothfus

Sophomore

Journalism and mass communication