InDepthNH.org invited feedback from readers on taxes in New Hampshire. The outpouring of responses means we will dedicate at least two more days to featuring additional opinions. Keep submitting your ideas to nancywestnews@gmail.com. We have heard plenty from elected leaders. Now it is time to listen to you!

MICHAEL & PATRICIA BRITTAN
Taxes in New Hampshire lack balance, hitting lower-income residents hardest. My wife and I strongly back public education, but the property tax setup is failing. Moreover, handing out vouchers to families with kids already in private or parochial schools worsens the problem. We support tackling New Hampshire's political taboo. Based on my reading, the 3-3 tax relief proposal seems logical.
MICHAEL & PATRICIA BRITTAN, Nashua, NH

SHARON RACUSIN, Hanover
Thanks for surveying readers on taxes. I grow frustrated hearing about budget shortfalls or service cuts due to insufficient funds. We are enduring needless austerity. Our governor appears set on making the state exclusive for the affluent, pricing out everyone else.

The affluent must contribute equitably. Interest and dividends represent unearned gains. Investors can well afford to support those needing essentials. Homeowners bear most public school costs while state funds divert to religious institutions, leaving towns strapped. Revenue comes from dubious avenues like gambling, casinos, and out-of-state landfill waste.

Governor Ayotte resists cutting the gas tax despite backing Trump, whose policies fuel record-high fuel costs, yet targets Vail Resorts over ski pass levies - a misguided move. Legislators assess bill costs upfront but ignore long-term expenses from flawed policies impacting health, safety, and environment, such as ending vehicle inspections.

Recall Sam Brownback's Kansas tax fiasco - it proved unviable, and New Hampshire risks similar fiscal ruin. Thanks for posing this vital query.
SHARON RACUSIN, Hanover

RUSSELL S. THOMAS, Nelson, NH
Taxes in New Hampshire are inequitable. Relying on property taxes for nearly all needs is narrow-minded and incorrect. Levies on luxury goods would help. Taxing high earners would too. A progressive income tax is ideal, though Free Staters and libertarians oppose it.
RUSSELL S. THOMAS, Nelson, NH

SUSAN PEERY
We require a comprehensive tax tied to ability to pay, moving away from heavy property tax dependence. It ought to weigh more on top earners. A surcharge on non-resident second homes would assist.
SUSAN PEERY

SARAH ZELLNER
New Hampshire must fund state needs while safeguarding living standards. Begin with taxes on alcohol, tobacco/nicotine, and junk food. These are optional indulgences; users should cover costs. They harm health, burdening state budgets with avoidable illnesses.
SARAH ZELLNER

CONNIE WHITCHER
We resided in Wentworth, New Hampshire, for over 30 years on a gravel road in a sparse town. We commuted 15 miles to jobs in Plymouth, a college hub. The town featured a tiny elementary school for 50-60 students and a gas station. Our log home on 1.5 usable acres amid 6.5 granite-heavy acres lacked cell, internet, or cable. Our annual tax bill exceeded $5,000 upon leaving. Elderly relief exists but feels outdated; we did not qualify.

The town plowed roads and ran a dump with strict disposal rules and fees. High taxes, heating fuel, and other pressures trapped us. We sold, relocated to a scenic spot elsewhere. New Hampshire dazzles but challenges residents. Its $7.25 minimum wage lags the Northeast. Our new, modest home taxes just $481 yearly. A solid choice with no regrets.
CONNIE WHITCHER

GEOFF WAITE, Campton
1) Gas tax. Dropping it now is myopic and foolish. Fuel costs stem not from the tax, which remains vital for infrastructure.
2) Income tax. New Hampshire should consider one. Taxes should blend wealth and income measures equitably. Sticking to property-only taxation is unjust; balance with income levies.
3) Sales tax. Another regressive option hitting low-income hardest. If pursued, limit to non-essentials like food, clothes, housing.
4) Not-for-profit taxes. System riddled with abuse, especially properties. Churches, private schools, wealthy thrift shops evade fairly; reassess. High NFP towns like Plymouth face insolvency.

Modern society needs government funds for operations. Without, chaos and primitivism follow. Taxes sustain civilization; rejecting them as evil harms progress. Shift the dialogue: embrace taxes as vital, move forward!
GEOFF WAITE, Campton

THOMAS HARTLEY
Thrilled to live in stunning No Income or Sales Tax New Hampshire. No interest/dividends tax. Lowered business taxes, no tip or overtime levies. Ideal for natural wonders and high quality of life.

Far superior to Massachusetts. Not a sanctuary state squandering funds on non-citizens; prioritize New Hampshire residents, veterans, seniors, disabled.

Temporary gas price spikes pale against threats like nuclear-armed terrorists targeting cities and D.C. A minor trade-off. Bless New Hampshire and America.
THOMAS HARTLEY

MARK M. THORNTON
My wife and I, both 80 and ex-medical professionals, raised two sons with disabilities. Deep disability community ties reveal underfunding's toll, beyond legal mandates into Medicaid.

Valuing people by output is indefensible and wrong. Libertarians/Free Staters oppose abortions yet neglect atypical kids.

Education merits separate rant. Need broad tax for education, care, housing, senior relief - duties of shared society.

True libertarians: head to Alaska, live like frontiersmen fleeing axes. Humbly,
MARK M. THORNTON

JAMES M. CONTOIS, Claremont, NH
Taxes fund government essentials: schools, roads, police for safety. This citizen pact demands it. New Hampshire tax woes are multifaceted:

Trust current Free State Republican leaders with funds? Absolutely not.
State abandoned local police/fire pensions long ago.
Vouchers aid affluent; education underfunded.
Need sales and income taxes, but fix funded systems first - no wasteful patches.JAMES M. CONTOIS, Claremont

DAVID KIDD
New Hampshire's tax system is deeply regressive, slamming workers, middle class, seniors, poor hardest. Property tax dominance bars homeownership, forces seniors from paid-off homes. Current Use aids big landowners over 10 acres, shifting load to small owners subsidizing them as values soar untaxed. Business/dividend cuts favor rich; property/rent hikes fill gaps for state services.
DAVID KIDD, Hancock, NH

REP. JESS EDWARDS, R-Auburn
Failing governments everywhere raise taxes. Rates crush communities globally. Lasting success demands curbing spending - unpopular but key. Spending others' cash feels free, breeds greed. Poor policy. Best,
Rep. JESS EDWARDS, R-Auburn

ANN FLORIO, Nottingham, NH
The 3:3 Tax Plan is smart, essential, feasible. Ballot it to ease property burdens? Funds state needs and education.
ANN FLORIO, Nottingham, NH

JAMES HILL
Foolish to axe interest/dividends tax harming education. Payers could easily afford it; complainers seem greedy. My wife and I gladly paid for strong public schools.
JAMES HILL