Obamacare means higher property taxes in Hutchinson
CBS Kansas (Hutchinson, KS): When President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law, nobody could predict the full impact. Many of the rules are still being written. But taxpayers in Hutchinson are starting to get a better idea.
“The people voted him in,” taxpayer Doug Henderson says. “He came up with this plan. They went along with it.”
Hutchinson School District Superintendent Shelly Kiblinger says Obamacare will require the district to provide health insurance for 328 more of its employees. That means it’ll have to come up with another $1.5 million–most likely by raising property taxes.
Kiblinger says the school board can raise the mill levy without taxpayers voting on it. Some say it’ll be money well spent. “I think the health of our citizens in this country is a very good investment,” taxpayer Jennifer Voth says.
Others say they can’t take another tax increase. ”Times are tough!” taxpayer Kim Waybright says. “Families can’t shell out any more than we already are!”
Right now, the Hutchinson District provides insurance for about two-thirds of its employees. Next year, it’ll have to insure each one who works at least 30 hours a week. It’s too early to know just how much more taxpayers will be on the hook.
Well, we did have to pass the bill to see what was in it. Elections have consequences.
DCG