>I have never understood why things like this don't use some sort of sliding scale, rather than absolute dividing line.
Try translating your idea of a sliding scale into a piece of legislation which matches your intention.
Try translating your idea of a sliding scale into a piece of legislation which matches your intention.
Example: something costs 20 money, if you earn 100 money or below, then it is subsidized to cost only 10, where 10 money is a subsidy. For every 2 money you gain, 1 money in subsidy is removed.
If you earn 104 money, it will now cost 12.
The x and y values vary depending on what kind of things are subsidized, but this is a fairly simple way of doing it that doesn't punish you harshly for a small difference in earnings.