In 2015, the Juneau assembly limited the senior sales tax exemption to food and other essential items. Recognizing that some seniors might struggle with this limitation, the assembly included a rebate program for those facing financial hardship.
That decision was a difficult one politically for the seven members who supported the limitation, but it was a responsible action. Juneau’s senior population has steadily increased and will continue to grow. Maintaining the full exemption meant shifting an increased burden of local taxes onto succeeding generations.
It’s unfortunate that there is an effort to reverse that decision. We decry the difficulty of attracting and retaining young families in Juneau, but ignore this burden shifting. The Census Bureau reports that at $69,248, in 2015, Juneau heads of households 65 years of age and older had a median income nearly $15,000 greater than families whose head of household was under 25. We seniors have enjoyed the benefits of a great community over the course of our lives. We should proudly continue to do our part.
Bruce Botelho,
Juneau