The governor and Legislature are extremely short-sighted on the issue of a tax-free weekend. The weekend was ruled out this year.
This small bit of largess is no more costly than money for the arts or funds for needle exchange programs. The revenue produced from a tax-free weekend is a huge boost to local business that are suffering the effects of a stagnant economy.
Additionally, the elimination of the weekend will suppress visitors to the Valley, who invariably spend money.
Small businesses will now have to rely on the Christmas shopping season to make the year, which is not a guaranteed thing. The governor and Legislature know how to tax and spend, but they do not know how to invest in communities.
John Zokowski
Hatfield