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To the Editor:
WILL LINCOLN COUNTY SURVIVE? – Part 1
When I heard the media reporting on the Lincoln County Board (LCB) meeting & stating that Pine Crest (PC) was “NOT” self sustaining, I knew I needed to research. In my opinion it is much worse –Pine Crest is in a big hole and may take entire Lincoln County down with it!
It has been only 3-1/2 yrs since we were told (per an expert SURVEY) we needed to make PC more attractive for “rehab patients” & private pay residents; therefore, the LCB passed a $9.6 million building project for PC. This obligated LCB to a $630,000 annual bond repayment for PC that has NOT broke even in years. In 2018 I was told in an email that PC had 180 beds before the project and would have 180 beds after the project was completed.
Now, in October 2021, we are told PC has 160 beds (20 beds disappeared) and, further, only about 90 beds are occupied, some wings are closed down. What happened? Don’t blame the pandemic! Many residents who need care have opted to go elsewhere & others have been refused as PC could not provide the care needed.
– Leona Vander Sanden
Gleason, Wis.
To the Editor:
As part of the massive spending bill, Democrats are considering an astounding 26% increase in the corporate tax rate, to 26.5 %.
Those that support this move make it sound as if such an increase will be cost-free to the middle class. But nothing could be further from the truth.
When corporate taxes were dropped in 2017, Wisconsin’s economy benefited from a much-needed jolt. Median household income increased more than 6% in the three years ending in 2019, before the pandemic came ashore.
Hiking taxes will inevitably mean less hiring, lower wages, less investment in R&D, and lower economic growth. One study found that the overall reduction in employment resulting from the tax increases would be as much as 542,000 full-time-equivalent positions. Wages would decline on average by 1.15 %.
These numbers should worry every Wisconsin lawmaker that’s in Washington, especially Rep. Ron Kind and our state’s two senators.
As the spending bill works its way through Congress, pragmatic Democrats must work to safeguard jobs and wages. This means blocking what would amount to one of the biggest tax increases in history.
– Sincerely,
Pete Church,
Chairman of the Lincoln Town Board, Adams County
Grand Marsh, Wis.
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