In the Aug. 18 edition of the Steamboat Pilot & Today, Savannah Wolfson wrote a letter supporting TABOR and attacking the Democrats, which is her right, but readers should be aware that Ms. Wolfson is the Republican candidate for District 26 in the Colorado House, something she failed to tell the readers. Her letter is a political position paper and not simply a comment by a citizen.

Savannah, I assume that if you are elected, the statements you made in the letter are the position you will take. So, let me make a few observations.

Start with your words, “fixing roads comes down to priorities.” TABOR has been around for nearly 30 years. During that time, there have been hundreds of studies made on transportation and unlimited recommendations made, and both political parties have been in and out of power. Yet the roads have not been fixed. The primary reason for the failure is the limitations set by TABOR. It will take big money to upgrade our highways. It is impossible to raise the necessary funds under TABOR and still maintain a viable government.

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Savannah, simply look at the Soroco school in your hometown, and you will find a school system that is struggling and teacher wages that are not high. Recognizing the loss of tax revenue accompanying the closing of the Twenty Mile Mine, the school system will be in serious financial trouble. It is obvious Soroco will need “serious” assistance from the state. TABOR restrictions will not allow that assistance.

The loss of tax revenue from the Twenty Mile Mine will place a heavy strain on South Routt’s medical clinic, city governments in Yampa and Oak Creek, the fire and ambulance service, and a host of other vital institutions. They are going to require real money assistance to survive. TABOR will not allow that to happen.

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The question must be asked: Savannah, do you intend to represent the residents of South Routt or simply follow a deeply entrenched party line?

Paul Bonnifield

Yampa