Idea taxing patience

Fort Smith plans on using a part of the recent state sales-tax increase to build new sidewalks within the city. I don’t doubt the sidewalks are needed, but I don’t believe we voted the tax increase for sidewalks.

The ballot title said “state highways, county roads, city streets, bridges and other surface transportation.” Do sidewalks fall under “other surface transportation”? I didn’t understand it to be that. I was under the impression that the use for the tax was for improvement of roadways for vehicles.

I have also read that some local officials are moving budgeted money from streets and replacing it with sales-tax revenue. This was not the intent of the tax amendment. The budget should remain the same, with the tax increase to be added so that improvements that would not otherwise be done could be accomplished. If that gives the city more money than needed for streets, turn it back to the state to be used on major highways.

That’s a problem with any tax increase. Give our politicians more money and they will find a way to spend it, even if it’s not needed.

This is to be a temporary tax. Do you really believe that? ROBERT HARMON

Bentonville