The Gadfly is a series of letters offering commentary on local issues and published in the Warrensburg Gazette.

Who would have believed it? A taxing body is actually thinking about lowering taxes! Why, it’s the Western Missouri Medical Center’s Board of Trustees that according to reports may lower the levy by a whole nickel. They’re only collecting about 15 cents as it is. A further reduction would put them below virtually all other taxing bodies. Of course, the hospital is primarily supported by fees for service (including state and federal money) with the property tax used only for capital improvements, but it’s still refreshing to see that they don’t invent new needs just to keep the taxes rolling in.

On the other hand, the hospital board seems to be trying to impose upon itself a type of gag order that violates the spirit of the Sunshine Law. At least one of their board members thinks that the confidentiality rules already in place don’t demand a high-handed approach that may violate the public’s right to know.

It seems that many in the media back every tax and government program that comes along and applaud new programs that provide more reasons to spending tax money. Whatever the “public good” of such programs, each requires that government take an additional share of our resources. Each additional day we work to satisfy the demands of government is one day less that we work for our own benefit. That’s why a tax decrease should merit a banner headline when announced.