Letter to the Editor

More jobs mean a healthier PB

Saturday, September 7, 2013

To the Editor:

Re: "We must stand firm for our workers"

First I had to work at determining what I think Kenneth Michel was trying to get to. But, in summary, I think he is saying don't increase our sales tax and hand the money over to big corporations. If that is what is planned, I would say "right on." Don't increase the sales tax. But I don't think that is what is planned.

What I believe is planned is to use the increase in sales tax to offset the cost of concessions, incentives, if you will, to encourage major corporations to locate offices, plants and other job creating activities in Missouri. I strongly doubt that anyone would support a measure that would simply hand over money to major corporations, just because they are big cooperations as suggested in Michel's letter.

Michel says we must stand firm for our workers. When someone makes a statement like the title of the recently published letter, are they implying that doctors, lawyers, public safety officers, clerks and all the other citizens that "work" for a living at a job other than that of a factory-type laborer are not workers? Assuming we are only, or primarily, concerned about factory workers, it would seem to me that Michel would be supportive of any effort to bring new jobs to Missouri. New factory jobs mean more available work, they increase the competition for good workers, thereby helping to move up the average wages paid factory workers.

Michel says "sales taxes place a heavier burden on 'working people'. They place an added burden on all working people not just factory workers. However, that didn't stop the city council from imposing an increase in the city sales tax, effecting all Butler County residents, to pay for the bonds to fund the extension of the four lane highway to Farmington. And, what about the incentives ($22 million by the state DOT) that were used to get Oak Grove Road and the additional work on Highway 67 in support of locating the hospital and the K-2 commercial project on Oak Grove. If we are willing to assist commercial developers, why would we not want to assist, incentify, major corporations to locate in Missouri/Poplar Bluff. The latter will bring the kind of jobs that will support the hospital, and the commercial development taking place and the "workers" employed in these non-factory jobs.

As for who's for it and who's against it, the AARP was a major proponent of Obamacare. Did they care what effect it would have on seniors? No! They were for Obamacare because they derive a significant amount of income from their insurance affiliations. Insurance companies will be major benefactors of Obamacare. Are they really interested in seniors? The Chamber of Commerce on the other hand is focused on what they believe is in the best interest of Poplar Bluff. Michael misstates when he says they are in favor of HB 253 because it reduces taxes on large corporations. They are for it because it will help attract more jobs to Missouri and Poplar Bluff. They have no other affiliations other than the community. Lastly, what relevance does Warren Buffet's tax percentage compare to his secretary's tax percentage have to this issue? None.

More jobs means better wages, greater individual opportunity for Michel's "workers" and a healthier Poplar Bluff.

H. Michael Doran

Poplar Bluff, Mo.