Last week I wrote about the Initiative 1183 to get the state out of the operation of liquor stores. Another important issue facing Stevens County voters this election is whether to add a very small increase to the sales tax.

The very mention of a tax increase in these hard times brings a shudder to most people. Our reaction is to say no immediately, because it represents an additional burden and most feel that they don’t want another burden. Generally, I support the idea that we are taxed enough, but I am firmly in favor of this tax measure because it is directed to help the most important function of government; the preservation of public and private safety through an effective and efficient criminal justice system.

The decision is whether to impose a very small tax increase on retail sales. The tax is three tenths of one percent. How much is that? If you spend one hundred dollars, it would be thirty cents; less than a pack of gum. For a thousand dollar purchase, it would be three dollars; less than a cup of coffee at a stand. If you spent ten thousand dollars, the tax would be thirty dollars.

The money will be dedicated and restricted for local city and county use to help support and improve the local criminal justice system. The money will not go to the state. It will stay local and be used to provide additional manpower to do things like maintain and increase police protection, investigate animal abuse cases, and help pay for jail costs. These are the most important public services and this proposition directly supports those services exclusively. The money cannot be spent for other things.

I work closely with the detectives and Sheriff Allen. The resources they have are stretched to the very limit. I see the good quality of work they do and how hard they work to help bring justice to victims and protect the public. We all know there are people out there who are deranged and very dangerous. When these people commit crimes, they must be arrested and kept where they cannot hurt others for as long as we can. This measure will help do that. The past couple of years have shown that we cannot depend on the state or federal government to fund law enforcement. We must do this without them, and we can. This is a perfect example of a situation in which if we each will do just a little, together we can accomplish a lot.