I gave the sales tax increase serious thought, even attending a well-done presentation at Reagan Middle School and reading “Boomtown,” but I cannot support this tax-and-spend policy.

n It’s a permanent cost-of-living increase. A great Lee County positive is escaping Chicago and suburban tax rates and high cost of living. Do we really want to keep eroding that huge advantage?

n It damages commerce and business. Nickel-and-dime arguments promoting tax hikes have produced destructive cumulative totals, which do affect consumer spending. Many businesses, including mine, avoid raising prices despite rising costs. A sales tax forces a price increase, without any profit to help the business.