Inconsistencies of taxes
Tyndall Tribune & Register
Tyndall, SD
April 22, 2008
by Judy Mace
Nearly 50 people attended a public policy forum in Tyndall April 16 addressing the issues of jobs, low income assistance through the state, the legislative items concerning low income and some information on tax relief. Cathy Brechtelsbauer, volunteer for Bread for the World, spoke about inconsistencies in taxes for the rich and the low income-did you know that we do not pay tax on food for hospitals but we do on nursing homes???? Did you know that we do not pay taxes on food for ostriches but we do for baby food? She had examples of inconsistency in property tax assessments and many other interesting factoids.
A guest panel of our Bon Homme Social Services office Joe Cimpl and County Health Nurse Paula Gibson and our local legislator, Senator Frank Kloucek gave information on the many services that are available to those needing assistance. Some of the programs include WIC (Women, Infants and Children) which includes free immunizations to those who qualify, plus lots of other assistance to new moms. Gibson made an interesting note that when she started some 20 years ago, there were 60 individuals on the WIC program. Now that number has increased to 174 currently which is still low for the number of individuals who could be utilizing the program.
Available through the Social Services office are fuel assistance, food assistance (food stamps - which many people qualify for, but do not take advantage of, even though the WIC is available at our local grocery store!) and other programs. We also learned more about the free and reduced meals that are available at school. This programs benefits the school and the teachers who have taken out state and federal loans. More information can be obtained by contacting Joyce Bittner at Bon Homme School District.
Residents should follow the legislative issues in Pierre, according to Frank Kloucek. He also suggested that a time be set up to help elderly with the paperwork that needs to be filled out when applying for government assistance programs, as the paperwork is usually daunting. He also urged elderly citizens to be aware of scams that pop up, either through the mail or over the phone. Frank suggested more use of blended gasoline....but we don't have one of those pumps in Tyndall yet...seems they cost about $17,000.
Twenty people took advantage of free blood pressure screenings by St. Michael's and many attendees picked up hospital brochures and also the new Tyndall business and service directory that is ready as a result of a partnership between Chamber and Horizons.
