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[Charade]

I never understood why NY lifted the sales tax on clothing. I figured that would be re-instated at some point.

PA doesn't have sales tax on (most) clothing.

 

[luvmy3]

Strangely, politicians haven't figured this out yet.

Sure they have, they just figure they will find something else to tax.

 

[luvmy3]

PA doesn't have sales tax on (most) clothing.

I know some states don't have sales tax. I live in NY and we used to go to MA to shop. It wasn't that long ago that NY did have sales tax on clothing and then they lifted it. It was probably due to people, like me shopping in neighboring states that didn't charge it. I just figured they would lose too much money, since it was something that gave them revenue in the past.

 

[Pigeon]

Just on the rich, of course...

No, not just on the rich, but a progressive tax, yes.

 

[ntsammy5]

We have the most dysfunctional legislature in the country - this should be interesting and possibly entertaining, but eventually we'll all pay for it.

One thing to watch out for is if they push some of the spending back to the counties as mandates - they've done this with medicaid for years - they cut at the state level and then make counties fund the programs they've just cut - and the counties have no choice.

 

[friendofgusgus]

I never understood why NY lifted the sales tax on clothing. I figured that would be re-instated at some point.

Because they were losing tons of business to nearby neighboring states that do not charge tax on clothing. The threshold of taxability on clothing is still lower in New York than in many other places, where it hovers around $200-250/item.

It was an easy sell since the sales tax is incredibly regressive and hurts poor families with children the hardest, so they got to "help working families" and "keep New Yorkers employed" all at the same time! :thumbsup:

ETA: Wait, isn't that what they're supposed to be doing now?

 

[eliza61]

The obesity tax is not surprising. It where our country is heading incase you haven't noticed. Eventually, anything the gov't deems unhealthy (for you) will be he heavily taxed or just banned, trans fat anyone. They figure since we are so stupid that we can't make the decision ourselves to maintain a healthy lifestyle, they will just make it so that we can't afford not to. The truth is its just easy money for them under the guise that they are doing it for us and our well-being. They are doing it because they want more of OUR money to pay for THEIR overspending, period.

.

It could also be that Obesity and smoking are major contributors to chronic health care problems that cost states BILLIONS. Obese kids are now at risk for life long health issues. Kid comes into the hospital with JV diabetes and asthma who do you think is paying for it? Smoker comes into the hospital with respitory failure, emphazyma (sp?) and heart problems from 30 years smoking, who do you think is going to pay for it?
Obviously we are too stupid to make healthy life style choices since 2/3 of kids are now clinically obese and instead of getting healthy we sue Mcdonalds. We are Fat period
Please, like I said before let's try looking in the mirror before we start crying some one is taking my money.

 

[Chicago526]

I don't know, I think raising some of these fees are a good idea. Anyone that would pay, say $50 for a hunting license would pay $55 or $60 for one, most people that would buy a case of pop for $5 would pay $5.90 (18% "fat" tax). Obviously budget cuts should always be looked at first, but if there is still a shortage, I'd rather pay a bit more for a Coke than start cutting into esential services.

That said, I don't know if a "fat" tax is the way to go. In theory it sounds good, but in practice it sounds like a pain for businesses to keep track of. And what's considered healthy? Things like Twinkies are a no-brainer, but cheese can be very fattening (I'm living proof! ), and fruit juice is often loaded with calories, but I doubt either would be included in the fat tax.

 

[Tigger2252]

Aggressive cuts and some type of increases in taxes and fees are really the only thing that is going to be able to help close the deficit. While rebates, increased services, etc. are a wonderful thing, they all come with a pricetag. Everybody screams about paying more taxes and fees, but they are the same people that will scream when services are cut, and non-essential things like parades, festivals, etc. are cut. We can't have it both ways. New York State pays more to educate a single child than any other state in the country, and our Medicaid and social service charges are prohibitive. I work in a field close to education and the waste I see everyday makes me sick. I'm certain it is the same with every level of government as well. The number of administrators in government and schools is obscene. No one school building needs 4 principals. How many "directors" does one government agency need? They need to begin cutting at the top for a change.

 

[mkingdomlvr]

It could also be that Obesity and smoking are major contributors to chronic health care problems that cost states BILLIONS. Obese kids are now at risk for life long health issues. Kid comes into the hospital with JV diabetes and asthma who do you think is paying for it? Smoker comes into the hospital with respitory failure, emphazyma (sp?) and heart problems from 30 years smoking, who do you think is going to pay for it?
Obviously we are too stupid to make healthy life style choices since 2/3 of kids are now clinically obese and instead of getting healthy we sue Mcdonalds. We are Fat period
Please, like I said before let's try looking in the mirror before we start crying some one is taking my money.

DH and I aren't obese, why should we pay taxes on the occasional treats we do have just because other people have no self control???

 

[wall*e2008]

How are other states plugging their budget deficits?

 

[Free4Life11]

DH and I aren't obese, why should we pay taxes on the occasional treats we do have just because other people have no self control???

Blame it on the fatties.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Aah but that's the problem Zip. Can John P Public discern any more what is essential? forget government spending, look to the private sector...and the credit collapse we are now facing. Check out this link on PBS. It's all about the retirement crisis and how most baby boomers are ill prepared for old age and how they will rely on the government. I'm not talking a few irresponsible people, we're talking millions of folks who in the next few years will need what you call "interfering".
I totally agree we can no longer discern what's essential and what is not but I'm afraid the genie is no longer in the bottle and I not sure we will be able to handle living on whats only "essential"

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/retirement/view/

I appreciate your earnest effort, but there is no way that you're going to get me to agree that all those taxes are a good thing. Government needs to reduce, and get out of people's lives. Period.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I think the Gov. is nickel and diming us to death. I think its worse for people in the city. I heard the news last night. Even my ds were freaking out about the soda tax

Did they say something about the STAR program? I get alot off myt axes for that so I sure hope they keep it. I cant imagine being without that.

I know they had a guy with a wine store saying stuff. That is really going to hit those mom and pop stores hard and put them out of business. I dont drink alcohol, but I am sure it will affect alot of people.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

DH and I aren't obese, why should we pay taxes on the occasional treats we do have just because other people have no self control???

Exactly. Such taxes are shotgun style blasts to the public's wallets. The truth behind this is liberal governments just want to tax people. Any money that individuals accumulate can be more properly used by the government (so goes that particular mindset).
Once they've taxed sodas and that's all played out, the bloodsuckers will move along to something else to tax. My state (NC) is mulling a mileage tax (taxing drivers for number of miles driven per year).

 

[eliza61]

I appreciate your earnest effort, but there is no way that you're going to get me to agree that all those taxes are a good thing. Government needs to reduce, and get out of people's lives. Period.

Heck no, what I was trying to say that yes government needs to reduce but it's hard to reduce when the people who voted for you are screaming about paying for a parade and let's face it politicians listen to the whims of their constitutes. My point really is, that we (Americans) talk out of both sides of our face. We say we want government to reduce but looks what happens when we have to actually scarifice.

I think we need to cut military spending and stop sending 10 billion dollars to Isreal for weapons defense but just try to do it, all heck breaks loose.

 

[eliza61]

DH and I aren't obese, why should we pay taxes on the occasional treats we do have just because other people have no self control???

Ok so you figure out a way to seperate the obese from the health concious and call me when the ACLU ends up on your door for discrimination.

Because you will admit that smoking and obese related disease are costing our health care system (especially in NY state when I did my residency) more and more.

 

[auroralark]

Ugh. These new taxes are ridiculous. Like we don't pay enough in taxes already. I believe we have enough people fleeing the state and moving elsewhere as it is.

18% tax on soda? Come on. I don't think that'll really drive away hardcore soda drinkers, just the casual drinkers. And taxing non-diet sodas - what about people who are allergic to artifical sweetners and can't have diet soda? Too bad for them I guess.

And taxing Ipod downloads? Give me a break. It's bad enough I have to pay sales tax of stuff I buy from the internet now. (And I can kind of understand that, I guess, even though I hate it.) You're going to tax a 99 cent song now? And movie tickets cost enough as it is and they have a hard enough time getting people to go - I'm sure taxing them we'll really bring the crowds in.

You can't tell me taxing us for every little thing is the best plan for the state. You wanna tax all these things? Fine. I have no problem driving into CT - I'll do my business there.

Ugh, this whole issue just has me steamed. All us New Yorkers should contact our representative and tell them what we think.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I live in New Jersey and I have to say that I really feel for you New Yorkers right now.

These nickel and diming taxes are ridiculous. But they keep saying about taxing Soft Drinks. How about taxing the alcohol consumption instead????????

That to me would be more harmful than soft drinks. Just a thought.

The Ipod tax is insane! Its almost surreal. I mean are the higher ups getting a salary cut? Probably not and that is really where it should start because that is where the issues really stand.

I also just heard about the whole MTA thing as well and that is also crazy. No higher ups are getting a salary cut but the "little people" have to pay more!!

As much as I love NYC, not at the moment.

 

[C.Ann]

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