What a mess!

I don't want to get too far off topic here, but dammit, this state budget merry-go-round is an embarrassing mess. What in the world is going on in Augusta?

First I hear about registration fees (taxes!) on canoes and kayaks. And now I find out that there is some sort of access fee proposed for wilderness users? C'mon. I was tolerant to a point, but no more.

What other fees and fines and revenue enhancements are hidden away in this proposed budget?

We'll likely never know. And that's the problem. Too much of it is flying under the radar screen. And as you well know, or if you don't you should, once these fees are implemented, they will never, EVER go down or go away. And you're going to pay dearly.

Now let me be clear: I am the last person to advocate for a tax increase of any kind. Too much spending is the issue, not a shortage of tax dollars. We pay plenty.

But at least the proposal to temporarily increase the state sales tax to 6% is something that's highly visible. It's out in the open. We can see it and understand it. And that also means when the appropriate time comes (i.e. we get ourselves out of this budget fiasco) we can also GET RID OF IT in one fell swoop.

But what do I know? I'm just a lowly taxpayer who likes to hike.

Wilderness access fees. Canoe and kayak fees. Bah! How come I haven't had any legislators inquire about the 2 1/2 cent tax on hiking boots I proposed earlier. I'm waiting by the phone. Surely someone will call...