SBJ.net Poll

Why do you think the proposed tax levy increase for Ozarks Technical Community College failed at the polls?

For poll results, click here.

What Readers Think

Other

I voted other, and I would say timing. I did not even hear it was going to be on the ballot until about two weeks prior to Nov. 6. Very few tax increase issues pass the first time they are asked for.

Businesses must live within budgets; households must live within budgets and increase income slowly, over time. OTC should be the same – share the need, but let us know you have tried other cost-cutting options before the voters open their checkbooks.

—Randy Zickefoose, Sunsational Sunrooms

I voted the way I did because of the Bush tax breaks for the richest among us and taking away federal government help at the local levels, which in turn means local governments have to raise taxes in order to survive. That throws more tax burden on people who can least afford it.

—Steve Losh, Losh Communications

Economic factors

When people are struggling economically and are already disillusioned with their leaders, why in the world would they vote to have more of their money taken from them?

—Tony Stubblefield, Reliable Toyota/Lexus/BMW/Scion

Additional commentary

Thanks for running the results of your poll regarding the recent OTC tax levy. I know I am biased, but I cannot understand why so many voters are so shortsighted. OTC is a human resource development engine for the area. In simple cost/benefit analysis, voters were asked to weigh the relative advantage of a meager tax increase against the potential to improve the human resources of the surrounding area. If they were to imagine the greater Springfield area without OTC, how many jobs would be lost and how many young people would have left the area? I am a proud veteran of military service. How many citizens of southwest Missouri have made the sacrifice to serve their country for the greater good? Why do the same people not understand the importance of sacrifice in the case of helping institutions provide better opportunity for education and employment through modest tax increases? I don’t get it. We are a more magnanimous people than this behavior suggests.

—Ty Patterson, Ozarks Technical Community College

Current Question

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