I am writing to express my opposition to Gov. [Jack] Markell’s proposed 2010 budget. I am an educator in the Caesar Rodney School district. The governor’s proposed salary decrease does not share the burden equally throughout the state. My wife and I are both educators. If the proposed budget passes and becomes law my wife and I will receive a substantial pay cut, have to pay a larger share of health care, and because we are a two-income family, pay a larger personal income tax because we make more than $60,000 per year. Fair? I think not. The governor states that these cuts will be temporary. Please. We all know that once the state takes the money away we will never see it again.
My classroom policy is that you cannot criticize without making positive suggestions to remedy the problem. I will adhere to that rule here. This proposed budget focuses on cuts instead of generating more revenue apart from sports betting and sin taxes. Why not increase vehicle registration fees, increase gasoline tax (this will generate revenue and cut down on emissions via less driving) and consider raising corporate taxes. Build a general personal income tax schedule that does not stop at $60,000 per year but includes income brackets into six-digit incomes and beyond. Surely taxing a person/family making $70,000 per year and a family making $300,000 per year at the same rate is not fair. Lastly, initiate a permanent state sales tax of 2% to 3%. This will provide a permanent source of revenue for the state and still be small enough to attract business from neighboring states. If the current executive and legislative branches lack the courage to initiate a sales tax, then have a statewide referendum and let the voters decide.
In conclusion, I spend approximately 15-20 hours per week working late at school, working at home in evenings and on weekends preparing for class, grading work or doing other required administrative work that I am not compensated for. And now you are considering paying me less? Please don’t tell me I get summers off with pay and all holidays. I only get paid for 10 months work; that salary is spread out over 12 months. My salary is far too small for the work I put in and the students I deal with daily. I teach because I love the job. I accepted a small salary because it is offset by smaller health care premiums. I made sound financial decisions for my family based on my current salary. These huge, unfair cuts may cause me to default on home and auto loans. Finally, I am a registered Democrat and have voted in every primary and general election. I will not vote for any incumbent who votes for or supports this proposed budget.
Dover, Del. —
