Haines voters deserve a clearly written tax proposal.
Proposition 1 would create a severance tax on mining, but the language raises important questions about exactly who would be taxed. The ordinance defines “persons” broadly, potentially including individuals, partnerships, corporations, joint ventures, trusts, estates and other groups. Residents should not have to guess what a tax ordinance means or who it applies to.
The proposal also raises questions about how the tax was calculated, why mining is treated differently from other resource industries, and what the economic consequences could be.
This is not about whether mining should contribute to our community. It should. It is about making sure any new tax is clear, fair, workable and properly understood before voters approve it. If the borough wants a mining tax, it should go back, address those questions, consult affected businesses and workers, and represent voters with clear language.
Haines voters should vote no on Proposition 1 and require the borough to do the work properly.
Jerry Lapp