CITIZENS ISSUES

These are some examples of issues that impede the quality of life and prosperity of citizens

Property taxes - The personal and business property tax system is a cobbled together Frankenstein. It has created a government appraiser certification system that waivers the national code, education, code of conduct and experience of the private appraiser certification system. It is a license to kill.

The burden of proof requires the citizen to have the capacity of a lawyer but the government has no such burden. The statutes have many loopholes to circumvent the 3% limit on paid property taxes. The $10,000 limit per year for two years and $25,000 for five years limit for allowed improvements is over 12 years old . There was no consumer price index or inflation index increase so that inflation is eating the allowance away.

Registered business is allowed up to $15,000 in property before it is subjected to taxation. However, they still have to spend to file a state tax return supporting a bureaucracy. This amount is 12 years old without any increases for inflation. And much, much more.

The kayak fiasco - Recently, under the lame excuse of aquatic invasive species, owners of kayaks were required to get personal permits for kayaks over ten feet in length. Why ten feet? To avoid the registration of children’s toy boats. However, length of kayaks is a function of purpose and performance. Most kayaks, especially white water and ocean going are under ten feet. The appointed geniuses at the State Marine Board couldn’t figure out to use load bearing capacity to exempt toys.

As if this wasn’t bad enough, the permit is registered to the owner mimicking a fishing license. If you have multiple kayaks, visitors can not use your other kayaks. They would have to buy their own permit assuming there was a place open nearby to buy a permit. However, if they live out of state they can not buy one.

The State Marine Board admitted these were oversights and that it would take a year to remedy what a stroke of the pen created in a matter of minutes. A big thank you to State Representative Arnie Roblan for correcting this problem in 24 hours! (I couldn’t get a response from the District 10 Legislature)

Permitting - If ever there was a major impediment to prosperity and the pursuit of happiness, this is it. Businesses and/or homeowners must submit to a cruel and never ending bureaucratic and expensive permitting processes. It is not unusual for applicants to have permits expire while waiting for approvals. They have to pay for them again and start all over. Many a business has left the state after being victimized by this system.

The answer is simple, drop dead turn around dates. The government agency not the citizen or business defaults if the deadline expires.

Much, much more. Stay tuned!!