Remove the Sales Tax on Food
Let's get rid of sales tax on food.
Here are some articles on the proposal taking shape in the House. The Spectrum, the Trib, and the D-News.
During its recent hearings, the Tax Reform Task Force heard strong commentary against the sales tax on food. Tuesday night a few House members were discussing their views on the various proposals pending before the task force. Speaker Curtis asked if we had any desire to remove the sales tax on food, and, when a few of us responded positively, he laid out the plan that is highlighted in the articles above (a shift to non-food items, coupled with an actual cut of $44 million).
It will face opposition, but with serious support in the House and, we expect, from the Governor's office (though they haven't weighed in yet) and with substantial tax revenues, the time just might be right to remove this awful tax.
We anticipate that Rep. Merlynn Newbold will run the legislation.
UPDATE (11/13/05): This issue obviously will stir some emotions.
Here are some articles on the proposal taking shape in the House. The Spectrum, the Trib, and the D-News.
During its recent hearings, the Tax Reform Task Force heard strong commentary against the sales tax on food. Tuesday night a few House members were discussing their views on the various proposals pending before the task force. Speaker Curtis asked if we had any desire to remove the sales tax on food, and, when a few of us responded positively, he laid out the plan that is highlighted in the articles above (a shift to non-food items, coupled with an actual cut of $44 million).
It will face opposition, but with serious support in the House and, we expect, from the Governor's office (though they haven't weighed in yet) and with substantial tax revenues, the time just might be right to remove this awful tax.
We anticipate that Rep. Merlynn Newbold will run the legislation.
UPDATE (11/13/05): This issue obviously will stir some emotions.
posted by steve u. at 11/04/2005
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13 Comments:
Sorry to post off topic. I know I have complained about Orrin's blog on another occasion. Is there another better forum to let this out? I try to understand how he is thinking. Can anyone help me?
Orrin can not be attentive to issues in Utah to save his life. He seems to use his blog to demonstrate that he is a faithful Bush supporter--he wrote a big defense of Harriet Miers, then took it off once she pulled out-- now he has the same basic post for Alito. Pres. Bush, if you're reading this, Orrin Hatch supports your nominations, okay?
In the meantime, if this is his campaign blog, what are Utahns supposed to make of this? Were a lot of us questioning Orrin's support of the nominations, or questioning his awareness that supreme court nominations were taking place? Rest assured Utahns, Orrin is aware of movements in DC.
Now about that part where he represents Utah, or works to move federal policy in favor of Utah... it's not clear from his blog, and it's certainly not clear from his actions.
I want to commend you and your colleagues for pushing for an end to the sales tax on food. I have always felt that this is one of the most reprehensible taxes that have ever been levied. As a individual who makes a living in professional services, I'd much rather have people taxed on my services rather than poor families paying tax on their food.
Removing the sales tax on food is the right thing, even if it means taxing services.
This article, despite its snide attitude, points out that we shouldn't have to raise other taxes to cut the sales tax on food. We should take a page from the basic tax cut manual and realize that removing this tax will stimulate the economy, thereby, actually increasing revenues. I know the governor never wanted to do a tax cut, but maybe we should look at the numbers from a new light and simply get rid of the tax without all of the fearmongering that it will cripple government.
I hope you don't mind me cross posting, but I thought I would share my thoughts on this on my blog. Essentially, I like the idea, but I think the proposal that are on the table (according to the Deseret News) are essentially not good enough or too much.
I'm not sure President Valentine's motion was intended to champion a $220 million tax cut as much as it was intended to kill the idea of removing the sales tax on food by imposing a huge fiscal note. If the President is championing a $220 million tax cut, the House will help make sure he gets it done.
As Scott at Reach Upward points out, the State would benefit in the future by people spending their money instead of Government spending it for them. That would help the economy grow more than anything Government would do.
Removing the sales tax on food makes lots of sense from a public policy perspective, until you realize that you are not cutting STATE tax revenue, you are instead cutting CITY tax revenue.
While the State has a fat surplus right now, many cities do not. So how will the cities replace these cuts?
I'd love to hear from Steve U. on this, if possible.
Anon,
Actually, this proposal would cut state and local government revenues -- $36 million state and $8 million local.
thanks for blogging steve
good leadership
sorry to hear you ain't gonna knock out orrin hatch in '06
i think it was you that caused him to start a blog - good work
what do you think caused the collapse of the world trade center
this here Brigham Young University physics professor says it wasn't the airplanes
what do you think?
http://www.physics.byu.edu/
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Thanks for blogging Steve U.
Also, haven't heard any audioblogs from you in awhile. I would like to hear you answer the above question regarding the BYU report on the World Trade Center collapse on an audioblog.
Steve, sorry you have decided to drop out of the '06 Senate race, but I understand political and life realities. I'm grateful that you are still an asset to Utah politics.
Thank you, Scott. And thanks for the kind words at Reach Upward.
Steve,
I hope you'll keep pushing ahead on removing the sales tax on food. It is time this happens.
I was also sorry to see you drop out of the senate race, but I understand the difficulties of going against such money and power. However, I'm so glad you're still with us in Utah! We will all benefit from your ideas, dedication, and hard work - hopefully for years to come. Let us know how we can help in your future efforts legislatively and with future campaigns.
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