Letters to the editor Aug. 2
Goodbye to the TPA
Ever wonder what that TPA tax is on your restaurant receipt? That is, if you are lucky enough to get in to a restaurant in Whitefish these days. It stands for Tourism Promotion Assessment. What? Craziness!
It was enacted in 2007 to promote tourism in the shoulder and winter seasons. We can all agree that it is no longer needed.
The TPA is “optional” meaning:
You can ask your already overworked server to remove it from your bill.
The residents don’t get to vote on it. It just goes on forever.
Explore Whitefish uses the money to promote tourism. In fact, they have done such a good job of it that they are now spending money to manage the tourism monster they have created.
Let’s stop promoting tourism and make it an optional affordable housing tax.
Come to the City Council meeting on Aug. 16 to show your support and sign a petition.
—Nancy Schuber, Whitefish
My prediction
As is becoming increasingly obvious — even to the sycophantic D.C. mainstream media and our foreign adversaries — President Joe Biden is showing himself to be mentally incapable of presiding over our country.
Here’s my prediction: Whether the 25th Amendment is invoked or not, Joe Biden will not finish his term in office. At that point, Vice President Kamala Harris will become president. Harris will then name Hillary Clinton as her vice president, then step down herself.
Hillary Clinton will at long last become president of the United States.
Pray that I am wrong. But, what if I’m not...
—Scott Matthews, Polson
Great letter
Kudos to David Myerowitz for his recent letter “America is not systemically racist.” It should be reprinted in every newspaper in this country — especially in those crime-laden cities where protesters continually demand that “something be done about it” instead of looking in the mirror to find the root of the problem.
However, don’t expect anything to change.
—Mike Daugherty, Whitefish
Follow Whitefish’s lead
How do we protect Montana’s natural environment, maintain the abundance of clean water and air that is vital to all living things? One way is to follow the example of Whitefish. The mayor and City Council unanimously approved a resolution urging the passage of the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (HR 2307). Whitefish has now joined over 140 local governments who have passed resolutions supporting this bill. We should all be thankful and proud of the Whitefish city leaders.
The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act puts America on track to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. It puts a fee or price on carbon pollution and returns net revenue to households. Businesses will innovate to provide abundant, affordable, and reliable clean energy as market demand goes down for more expensive polluting energy.
Whitefish is doing great work on local climate action. However, to make the large systemic changes needed, we must act nationally too.
This policy also benefits Americans while quickly reducing climate-impacting emissions. It is affordable because it puts money in your pocket. The money collected from the fee is given as monthly “carbon cash back” payments to every American. The government does not keep any of the money. Our local businesses benefit when we have additional spending money.
You can help by calling or writing Sens. Daines and Tester, and Rep. Rosendale and ask them to pass effective climate legislation. And, see if your city will join Whitefish in supporting The Energy Innovation Act.
—Julie Hancock, Whitefish