The Right Tax Policies for the Bay

Bt STEVE BENDER

The Star Democrat covers the local economy, jobs, debt, clean water, pollution, fisheries, and environmental regulations. They are all closely related. But posing job protection and protecting our Bay as at odds with each other is not the right thing. Why not create jobs that produce products and services on the Eastern Shore that do not pollute but lead to sustainable economic growth? Why not stop using tax funds to subsidize the production of polluting goods and services?

If polluters’ response includes cries about taxes and debt, then let us replace the present use of tax expenditures for their subsidies with support for private sector entrepreneurs who will produce but not pollute. And if their lamentations point to losing livelihoods if  pollution cannot continue, then let us use tax expenditures to educate polluters how not to pollute. And if shouts include a demand that polluters be paid not to pollute, then let us use the tax  expenditures to enforce “polluter pay” laws. And if proposed legislation calls for more tax-supported study, not action, to cut pollution let us demand tax expenditures for action.

And as these demands for no change in pollution behavior persist, let all tax payers use their curiosity and concern for the Bay to publically engage those who pollute AND receive subsidies, those who lobby

on behalf of polluters, AND those elected officials who are compromised to support polluters’ interests.