Tax increase needed to help mentally ill

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On July 22, the County Council is meeting to discuss a one-tenth of 1 percent tax increase to benefit gaps in behavioral health services.

Living in an area where the cost of living, taxes and fees are already significant, I understand the reluctance to see any additional fees imposed.

I am compelled, though, to send this personal letter based on my daily experiences with the most destitute cases and the valiant professional efforts locally in spite of inadequate support and resources.

A disproportionate number of our local poor, incarcerated and homeless are mentally ill.

Many of these cases are treatable and the waste of costly services maintaining and reacting to under-served people compounds a vicious circle.

This is also a national shame. We were all fed a bill of goods that de-institutionalization would give people dignity and save the taxpayers money — have we seen either?

Based on the need, I encourage our current elected officials to show leadership and courage here and support this increase along with increased surveillance of like funds and ensure they do not go the route of tobacco settlement money and other windfalls that seem to have vanished.

Ron Buchinski
Bellingham

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