Legislature raising taxes, lowering safety

The 2021 legislative session, which is scheduled to end April 25, will be remembered for several things - some good, some bad.

The candidates for the "bad" column may include a variety of new or increased taxes and fees that will hit your pocketbook in different ways. For instance, a higher state gas tax and a new "cap and trade" tax that would hit motorists hard, and a higher cellphone tax. Also, before the Legislature wraps up its 105-day session, it's likely to pass Senate Bill 5096, which would impose a state income tax on capital gains.

I voted against SB 5096 earlier this session. In the...