Posted by Many veteran politicos predicted that a breakthrough would occur in the State Senate just prior to the end of the session. They proved to be correct. Over 40 bills were passed in the 12 hour legislative day on Wednesday. I would submit that good government does not prevail when bills are passed out with such limited debate.
One bill that failed to receive enough procedural votes to be brought up for final passage was the proposed constitutional amendment to remove the state sales tax on food. With all of the publicity dealing with this amendment, I am amazed that so few people realize that a huge tax increase is included. Maybe the LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN THE HISTORY OF OUR STATE. Removing taxpayers ability to deduct federal income taxes from their state taxes cannot be labeled as anything but double taxation.
Contrary to some statistics floating around, an overwhelming majority of taxpayers will be paying more money in taxes. These are the people who pay the most for the government services that help our poorest citizens. Now they are asked to pay more.
The class warfare that is now surrounding this bill is usually found in Washington. Now Alabamians are being pitted against each other. Republican members of the Senate are now receiving phone calls from constituents who have received automative calls from liberal interest groups. When I ask them about what was said in the call, they only mention the removal of the grocery tax. They have no idea about the federal deduction. When I explain the full bill to them, they are angry with those who chose to spend money to manipulate them.
Fortunately, the votes required to pass this constitutional amendment are lacking. Some suggest that the people deserve the right to vote on any referendum. Typically the only referendums that are held are for liberal ideas. Many conservatives could list dozens of great ideas to come up for the people to vote. Hopefully any further referendums will reflect a move for less government rather than more. We shall see.
class warfare is too tame a name for this marxist garbage. I hope John Knight and his other graft buddies are able to find another source to launder their proceeds, but it aint gonna be this bill. I think the FBI been sniffing round the pigsty.
[...] Busy Week in the State Senate [...]
The largest tax increase in the history of the state? But the state doesn’t get the largest revenue increase in the history of the state? Must be because it is accompanied by tax cuts.
If this is the largest tax increase in the history of the state it is also THE LARGEST TAX CUT IN THE HISTORY OF OUR STATE.
No way around that.
Double taxation? Double taxation is all over. Sales tax is double taxation since we are paying sales tax that we have already paid income tax on. And this bill would cut back on that double taxation.
It’s not how many times you are taxed, it’s how much you pay in taxes, and Alabama overall pays the lowest. This bill doesn’t change that.
Are you saying that the Governor is lying to us when he says that only 70% of the taxpayers would pay the same or less, when Knight and his group say 80%? This is the first place that I’ve seen anything that says that “an overwhelming majority of taxpayers will be paying more money in taxes.” If that’s the case, will you please provide us with the information that reflects that? I want to take it to the Governor and ask why he’s once again lying to us.
I hate taxes as much as anyone else, but I do think the grocery tax should eliminated. As a point of reference, our joint gross income exceeds $200K per year, but thanks to Alabama’s income tax system, we have not paid a single penny in state income tax in the last 8 years. We have received a full refund of all AL withholdings. Something ain’t right.