Thank Taxes: A Week of Appreciating Taxes

April 14th, 2011

Every day, our tax dollars go toward building a smarter, stronger and more connected Mississippi. Taxes create community spaces, build schools, and create the transportation systems that bring us all together. Without these things, it would be harder to see the people we love, to participate in community events, and to train a more prepared workforce.

Just this week, taxes have supported me and people I know across our state in a wide variety of ways. In the last seven days, I have seen taxes provide:

Electricity to light and air-condition elementary school classrooms in Clarksdale;
A park at the Reservoir used for weekend cookouts and games;
Job training programs for low-skill adults interested in health care and manufacturing;
An airport to fly home through after visiting family and friends;
Bridges to drive across as I travel to communities and share information on programs that build economic security for families.

Together, our taxes make Mississippi a better, more connected place to live for ourselves, our neighbors and our children.

As a younger member of the workforce, I find myself asking if the choices made now will someday impact the quality of education my children receive as they grow up from 1st graders to 8^th graders and then college students. Taxes help strengthen the educational opportunities and resources available to them as they grow up and enter the workforce.

On Tax Day, I am thankful for the public resources we have, but I also reflect on how to ensure we strengthen those resources for our future and our children’s.

Author:

Sarah Welker, Policy Analyst