While it may be argued that the benefits of tourism trickle down to everyone in the Borough, it is patently obvious that some reap considerably larger benefits than others. As Sally McGuire has pointed out, the “costs” are also borne disproportionately. Years ago the fishing industry voted to tax themselves to promote Alaska seafood. They also voted to tax themselves to pay for enhancement programs to increase catch where possible. The Haines Borough has collected millions of dollars in raw fish taxes over the years. Both the marketing and enhancement paid for by the fishing industry through self-imposed taxes helped to increase the value of the annual catch, and as a result, the amount of raw fish taxes collected by the Borough. Unlike the tourism tax, which can only be used for tourism-specific projects, this money can be spent for anything the assembly decides on (including tourism!). There are better and fairer ways to raise money for the tourism industry. One is an added tax on tourism-specific businesses such as a bed tax, tour tax, cruise ship head tax, etc. Another is for the tourism industry to create a private “tourism association” and pay for tourism-related costs through membership fees, fund raising events, etc. This doesn’t mean that the tourism industry can’t ask the Borough to fund tourism specific-projects, only that they will have to compete fairly for the tax dollars that all of us pay.

Mike Van Note