Letter to the Editor: Who REALLY benefits from Prop 1?

Dear Editor:

Wyoming voters deserve to know who really benefits from Proposition 1 – and who will ultimately foot the bill. According to the Wyoming Citizens Initiative, Prop 1 would reduce property taxes by $125 million. But the benefits are not evenly distributed. Teton County, with less than 4% of Wyoming’s population would receive more than 26% of the tax cuts. The same holds true across the state, with the wealthiest counties getting most of the benefits. 

Looking past the cuts, we need to ask ourselves how the lost revenue will be replaced. Supporters of the cuts have proposed taxing groceries and agricultural supplies, or increasing the sales tax. A grocery tax would generate $115-$125 million annually, nearly replacing the lost property tax revenue. If we look at Big Horn County, the average homeowner might save $400 in property taxes but pay about $650 more in grocery taxes. Teton County homeowners would enjoy average savings of about $4,460. Why should Wyoming families and seniors pay more for groceries to help fund tax breaks that disproportionately benefit wealthy property owners? Renters, working families and others who receive NO property relief would still pay the grocery tax. 

According to these estimates, Teton County’s benefits could exceed $25M while the rest of us collectively pay more than we save. Wyoming has long enjoyed a great tax climate without a state income tax. WE must be cautious about cutting one tax only to create pressure for another tax that affects every household, regardless of income or homeownership. Tax relief should be fair, transparent and sustainable -- not a shell game that shifts the burden from property owners to regular consumers. Before voting on Prop 1, Wyoming citizens deserve clear answers about how lost revenue will be replaced, and who will pay the difference. Vote NO on Prop 1. 

Carla Mowell

Shell