Kansas lawmaker opposes lowering food taxes because it encourages people to buy food...

[cynatnite]

A Republican state lawmaker in Kansas says that he opposes cutting the taxes on groceries because it would be a form of “social engineering” that encourages people to buy food over other items.

The Kansas state Senate on Thursday voted to cut the state sales tax on food from 6.3 percent to 4.95 percent, but Sen. Jeff Melcher (R) led opposition against the measure, arguing that it would lead to people eating more.

“It seems to me we are encouraging the behavior of purchasing food and discouraging the behavior of purchasing anything else,” Melcher reportedly told his colleagues.

The lawmaker pointed out that the state already had programs to help get food to poor people, and that creating two different tax rates would be additional “complexity” for retailers.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/05/24/kansas-lawmaker-opposes-encouraging-the-behavior-of-purchasing-food-with-lower-food-taxes/

[ellie]

1. Where does the GOP find these people

It is almost as if they have an inexhaustible supply of stupid people.

[wercal]

2. In Kansas We have a food sales tax refund

It applies if you make less than $36,700...and are either elderly, disabled, or have at least one child.

The amount of refund varies, but the minimum is $47 per person...so in a family of 3, that would be $141...or the equivalent of $10,444 of groceries at the 1.35% proposed discount...or $200 a week.

So, unless a family spends more than $200 a week on groceries, they are better off with the current system. And the current system is more progressive, since it doesn't of the rebate or discount to the wealthy.

[TreasonousBastard]

13. But, I ask, why tax it in the first place...

first, you spend some money collecting the tax, then you spend more giving it back.

I know you can't tell who qualifies at the point of sale, so why not just eliminate the food tax and raise something else that doesn't hurt lower incomes?

Never mind... I keep forgetting that out most pressing problem is that the poor have too much money and the rich don't have enough.

[Gormy Cuss]

17. Yes, just exempt groceries the way most states do.

Much simpler and less regressive.

[freshwest]

21. +1

[wercal]

22. How is it less regressive?

In post No. 2, I show that the current Sales Tax Refund is possibly more progressive. It only applies to low income ($36k and below), while a blanket moratorium on food sales tax benefits everybody, no matter what income.

[Gormy Cuss]

24. Any time sales taxes exempt necessities of life it's less regressive for the lowest income tiers.

Charging sales tax and then refunding it later is essentially telling lower income people to loan the state money. A refund is better than nothing but it still represents more of a hardship for lower income people than simply not taxing grocery food items in the first place. Moreover, those making above 36K but not well* off are still paying a regressive rate compared to upper income families because the average cost of grocery store food purchases as a percent of total household expenditures decreases as income rises.

That's why sensible states either don't tax groceries or charge much lower sales tax for food.

*eta if I'm reading your post #2 correctly, also all nonsenior, nondisabled, adults without children are paying a more regressive rate because they don't benefit from the refund.

[demigoddess]

26. It is less regressive because

rich people cannot eat any more food than poor people, generally. Take a house for instance, a poor person will buy a small house, a rich man can buy a huge house. Taxing those houses equally would be stupid and regressive. Taxing food equally, as in not at all, would not be regressive.

[wercal]

19. I have no idea what the origin of the food sales tax is

But the OP describes a plan to reduce it...not eliminate it. I was merely pointing out that the proposed 1.35% drop would a) be less progressive and b) not save the poor any money.

Now the discussion of where Kansas gets is tax dollars is a much more macro subject...and there is alot in play, with proposals to eliminate state level mortgage interest deduction and a whole host of other things. However, I do know that 3.7% of the sales tax I pay is above and beyond the state sales tax...and is local city and county. Since neither of those entities have income taxing authority, the difference would wholly be made up in property taxes...which could lead to an entirely different discussion....since at some level, everybody pays for property taxes.

I

[TreasonousBastard]

20. This could lead to another, probably pointless,

discussion of the insanity of American tax policy. And someone noticing that local taxes are primarily school taxes.

[TreasonousBastard]

3. They tax groceries in Kansas? We don't do that here in tax happy NY...

unless they've been cooked and served.

Who taxes food? How the hell does a rightwing state allow taxes on food in the first place? Fuckers will put a property tax cap in to save millionaires some bucks but tax burger meat and potatoes?

Kansans must be some kinda assholes to put up with that.

[arcane1]

5. Food tax disproportionately hurts poor people, so rightwingers love it.

[MattBaggins]

6. Progressive taxation is the devil. Regressive taxation is godly.

So sayeth the repub bible.

[TreasonousBastard]

12. And then they give some back...

as wercal posted while I was posting.

Way to go for that efficiency in government they always talk about.

[Ilsa]

16. Numerous states tax groceries,

but a lot do it at lower rates than sales taxes for dry goods. I don't think food should be taxed t all, unless it is cooked, prepared food.

[tk2kewl]

23. taxing groceries is one of the most evil things i can imagine

i am a NYer and just assumed that our policy was a no brainer

[Wait Wut]

4. Okay.

I think that'll just about top off the week for me. Christ.

[HappyMe]

7. What?

Yeah, food is over-rated.

[Marrah_G]

8. No tax on food or clothes in MA

and a number of other necessities.

WTF is wrong with Kansas?

Seriously, a bunch of people got together and said " hey, this guy has the wisdom to represent our needs". How does this keep happening? Not just in places like Kansas, but all over the country.

[WinkyDink]

25. Same here in PA.

[DCKit]

9. Isn't that special. nt

[muntrv]

10. Melcher must live on motor oil and battery acid.

[Rex]

11. Republicans - stupid as the day is long.

They are the Party of Stupid.

[KamaAina]

14. What's the matter with Kansas?

Jeff Melcher.

[Revanchist]

15. I'm reading this on my mobile

Can someone please post a face palm for me?

[AsahinaKimi]

18. Yes because the good people of

Kansas should starve to death, especially minorities, progressives, liberals and Democrats. BAKA!

What a stupid Ass. (I have harsher words but will refrain from using them.)

[janlyn]

27. point being made

Had the Senator Made his argument the way wercal did, then I might say good point , lets explore that avenue of thought.

However the argument the Senator used is stupid to the point that I have to question if the Republicans currently have in office anyone with an IQ over 50!