Folks, do you realize that if gas is $3.30 a gallon on New Year's Eve, it will be $3.33 a gallon on New Year's Day?

That's the case if Mayor John Williams has his way. Borough sales tax is due to increase 1 percent on January First. Everything we buy will be a little bit more expensive, but folks seem to notice it at the pumps first.

However, if the Alliance of Concerned Taxpayers is successful in winning an injunction against the sales tax increase, we will all enjoy a late Christmas present. The sales tax will stay at 2 percent.

Wouldn't it be interesting if the judge agrees with what ACT has said all along? That state statute requires a sales tax to be ratified by the voters first. Local government must follow the law.

Unfortunately, by their actions, the assembly and administration demonstrate that they hold the law in low esteem. Perhaps they should be put on a shorter leash.

The Total Revenue Cap proposed by ACT (called ACT-CAP) would do just that. Revenue from all tax sources property or sales would be capped at current levels with adjustments for inflation.

Now, when sales tax brings in more money, there is no guarantee that government won't merely grow to absorb the increase.

Under ACT-CAP, the property tax collected would have to decrease to balance the cap.

That means savings to the homeowner. It also translates to protection for seniors, disabled veterans and other small groups of people currently targeted for specialized tax increases.

If you want fewer raids on your paycheck, support ACT-CAP. Find out more at www.act-kpb.org.

The borough will fight to keep it off the ballot, and sadly the first battle to be won is in the courts.

If every taxpayer helps just a little bit, we can improve the quality of our local government while reducing the quantity of the budget.

Vicki Pate

Nikiski