From LP at Corvallis-Scene:
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OK, so I'm not wild about the idea of a regressive tax, or about the way the City of Corvallis has promoted this thing, but I don't believe the opposition has made a fair argument, either. So, here's why I'm going to vote yes on the phone tax (02-54).

The city needs the money. That's not at question here. And they say they're going to use the money to buy fire trucks and train firefighters -- increasing the safety of all citizens. After that, it will continue to go into the general fund where it will likely be used to pay for other essential services.

Despite naysayers' claims, the tax is fair. We currently pay a tax on landline phones (7%). This new tax levels the field. It actually lowers the landline tax and implements an equal cell phone tax (5% for everything). And when you think about the real monetary cost, all the fuss is really laughable. If you can afford $50 a month for a cell phone, the extra $2.50 is not going to break you. Add to that your $35 Qwest bill and your total tax comes to $4.25. Isn't $4.25 a month a reasonable price to maintain city services that we all benefit from? Most of us regularly spend that much on things we don't need without a second thought.

To read the rest of LP's blog, see Corvallis-Scene.