2009.05.31
Discuss Sunday's editorials
Health care's taxing subtext
Some health care reform strategists are talking about a value-added tax. They'd have to overcome its regressive nature.
Talk of health care reform could turn to talk of tax reform in Washington as policymakers consider how to pay for broadly expanded coverage from a budget already gushing red ink.
And, surprisingly, talk of tax reform could turn to talk of a valued-added tax -- surprisingly, because a VAT is a consumption tax, built into the price of goods and services. As such, it is regressive. It falls harder on the poor than the wealthy as a percentage of income.
That's a political taboo, and quite properly so.
What will Troutville do with all that land?
The town should explain its plans in detail before expanding its boundary.
We would bet that most people who stop near Troutville never even realize it is a town. The Troutville exit is a convenient place to pull off Interstate 81 for gas and not much else, unless you happen to live there. For more than 400 residents, Troutville is home.
Yet the town's boundary is rougher than most. It cuts through properties, even homes. Town officials therefore have proposed a boundary line adjustment. If they receive the blessing of Botetourt County and a circuit court judge, the town would have smooth edges.
NRV Current editorial
Overhaul Pulaski's reassessment process
One man has some smart ideas about how to improve appraisals.
Andy McCready knows a thing or two about property reassessments. He headed Pulaski County's Board of Equalization during the most recent round of appraisals. When he says the system is broken, the county should listen.
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