Eliminating the tax on Food

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From Bread for the World;

Yesterday was the 235th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. To celebrate that historic resistance against unjust taxation, we offer encouraging news relating to a glaring tax injustice here in South Dakota.

 

We have just learned that the total food tax (state + city+ tribal) is estimated by the state to contribute a total of $79.6 million to state, municipal, and tribal revenues. And, get this: The estimated sales tax from an additional ½% tax on non-food sales would bring in about $80 million.

 

Get the picture? With ½ percent more on non-food, all sales tax could be shifted off — totally removed — from food with no loss of revenue to the state. AND there would be enough to fully reimburse cities and tribes for their loss of food tax. 

 

If the legislature would pass such an idea, and if the governor would sign, no tea would need to be dumped here in South Dakota. 

 

Consider this an opportunity for action. Let’s see if we can stir up legislators, editors and the public about this possibility as a helpful response as the worsening economy brings struggle for life’s basics to more and more people.

Sioux Falls Poverty

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At the City Informational meeting yesterday, a school district representative gave an informative presentation about impoverished kids in our community. I’ll warn you, the numbers are shocking and should be a wakeup call about taxes on food and utilities.

CLICK ON THE DECEMBER 15 INFORMATIONAL MEETING AND FAST FORWARD TO 27 MIN. IT LASTS TO ABOUT 55 MIN.

I really think this report should have been put out before the retail tax increase vote. While our city continues to blow money on historical windows and $750,000 pedestrian suspension bridges we have people in our community that can’t afford to buy food for their kids – food that is taxed so we can buy these WANTS.

The presenter even said one of the main reasons Dr. Homan doesn’t like to close schools on cold days is because school is the only place some of these kids get a warm breakfast. Pretty sad.

Greg Jamison even had the nerve to ask, “Thank you for the presentation, but what are we supposed to do with this information.”

Really Greg? You have to ask?

You should work on making cuts to our bloated CIP budget so we can reduce taxes for working families. That’s a start.

Tax Happy!

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What a perfect time to raise taxes, while the economy is in the toilet. That’s our city government, always thinking (about their campaign contributors that is).

KELO-TV does a story;

Eight South Dakota communities will implement new municipal taxes or increase taxes on January 1.

And Sioux Falls is increasing its current 1.92 percent local sales tax to 2 percent.

I would like to thank anyone who signed the petition to lower the sales tax in 2010 to 1.90 this past weekend.