S.T.O.P.

A TAX INCREASE PRETENDING TO BE A TAX CUT

STOP OPPOSES ANY PLAN TO EXPAND THE SALES TAX TO COVER ALL FOOD, CLOTHING, UTILTIES AND EVERYTHING ELSE NOW NOT TAXED!TELL YOUR LEGISLATORS YOU OPPOSE THE COMMONEALTH CAUCUS PLAN !!!

Subj: House Democratic Weekly Message
Date: 6/4/2004 4:55:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: hdupdate@pahouse.net

Rep. Bill DeWeese, Democratic Leader
Rep. Mike Veon, Democratic Whip

June 4, 2004

A TAX INCREASE PRETENDING TO BE A TAX CUT

One of these days, a bill will be introduced in the House of Representatives by members of the (supposedly) conservative Commonwealth Caucus proposing to lower the sales tax rate – from 6 percent to either 4 percent or 4.5 percent (they haven't decided) – but to greatly expand the list of items subject to taxation. This scheme would provide money to eliminate roughly $5 billion in school property taxes, but it would expand the state sales tax to collect $12.4 billion more than is collected now. That sounds like a formula for the largest tax increase in Pennsylvania history.

TOO BAD THERE'S NO TAX ON BAD IDEAS

What would this mean for the average Pennsylvanian? The shorthand explanation that food and clothing purchases which currently are tax- free would be taxed at 4 percent (or maybe more) only scratches the surface and does not do justice to the amazing breadth of items on which this plan would raise taxes.

To name just a few, newspapers, magazines, toilet paper, baby diapers, candy and vitamins would all cost at least 4 percent more under this plan. So would bottled water and ice. You'll also pay the new sales tax on monthly utility and phone bills, coal and heating oil purchases, and plumbing, heating and air conditioner repairs.

Families of college students would face an even larger shock when the tuition bill arrives, because this plan would add the sales tax to the cost of higher education. If you can afford that hit, get ready to pay sales tax on college textbooks. Does this sound like a headache? That's a shame because aspirin also would be taxed, along with every other nonprescription medication at the local drug store.

And if you need to go see the doctor, you'll pay the sales tax on what you're charged for the visit. Other medical supplies that would be taxed include bed pans, dentures, cardiac emergency kits and defibrillators. Watch out if this plan would cost an arm and a leg, because the tax would even apply to artificial limbs, crutches and canes.

Set aside some extra money for dying, because you'll pay sales tax not just when you visit a lawyer to draw up a will, but on the casket, burial vault and grave marker. Need a flag for the funeral or some other special occasion? That'll be taxed too!

The plan would exempt gasoline, prescription drugs, hospitals, nonprofit groups, manufacturing and agriculture equipment meant for resale. But farmers would pay the new sales tax on equipment they buy, not to mention on currently untaxed items like fencing and animal feed. Farmers and pet owners alike would be taxed on veterinary services and animal boarding.

DEMOCRATIC SLOTS PLAN WILL LOWER TAXES WITHOUT MASSIVE TAX HIKE

House Democrats are continuing to fight for a realistic plan to cut property taxes by almost one-quarter. We support the expansion of gaming to include slots, not the expansion of sales tax to include everything. We are determined not to let tax-and-spend Republicans pass an unwise sales tax increase that would take billions of additional dollars out of Pennsylvanians' wallets and purses.

If you or anyone you know would like to receive the Weekly Message, please visit www.pahouse.com and sign up for the House Democrats' e- mail alerts.

To read Gov. Ed Rendell's weekly newsletter, click this link: CLICK HERE.

STOP OPPOSES ANY PLAN TO EXPAND THE SALES TAX TO COVER ALL FOOD, CLOTHING, UTILTIES AND EVERYTHING ELSE NOW NOT TAXED! TELL YOUR LEGISLATORS YOU OPPOSE THE COMMONEALTH CAUCUS PLAN !!!

Visitor Comments:

joe seigler says :
I watched the republican bill for tax relief on tv and was happy to see someone was trying to correct this unfair burden on senior citizens and property owners. I do not know witch way is best but I do know the present method is the worst way possible to fund schools. I am in the process of trying to sell my home because of the high preperty taxes but no one is interested for the same reason. $4300 in taxes! I am 62 and my wife is in a wheelchair I hope you can help.
Bill says :
I don't understand why you are against just taxing food and clothing only? If you spend $500.00 a month on food and clothing at 5% it only comes to $25.00 a month in taxes or $300.00 a year which is a hell of a lot cheaper than property taxes. Thank you Bill.
Anonymous says :
Bill is stupid. Does he expect our schools to run on smiles and good intentions? It does take money to educate children for our future. But we'd rather spend it on tax breaks for our past, our seniors.

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