How does this work?

I contacted my local state congress women regarding current budget problems and funding for education. Here is part of the response that just baffles my mind am I really that dumb???

Sen. Bakk has recently released a proposal to implement Gov. Pawlenty’s 21st Century Tax Reform Commission’s recommendation to expand the sales tax base; by eliminating the exemption on clothing beginning July 1, 2010. Minnesota is one of only five states that still carries the exemption. This is a bold plan that, if enacted, would:repay schools more than $120 million a year that Gov. Pawlenty captured in his unallotment aid shift; reduce our budget deficit by more than $257 million in 2011; and permanently reduce Minnesota’s general sales tax rate from 6.5 percent to 6.25 percent, saving taxpayers and business owners millions of dollars on purchases.

Can someone explain to me how charging me tax at 6.25% on something I never had to pay tax on before is going to save taxpayers, business owners, and me millions of dollars because I don’t have to pay tax a 6.5% tax? .25% is greater than 6.25% I thought it was the other way around, was I taught wrong in MATH class?

I do get that I will not be paying the higher tax on most things and I really don’t buy clothes but once in a blue moon. How about find money from somewhere other than my pocket?

I can list a few:
Political slush funds for so called public servants
Welfare
Prisons
Studies that study the obvious

I know some may say education as well, but less funding is not going to help the loss of common sense we are experiencing in our youth. Closing the achievement gap is only causing the dumbing down of America! It is unrealistic to think everyone can be equal! (see commonsense)

Why don’t they go full out and start charging tax on food? Why do they even call it a budget with the government? You would think a budget would be restrictive.

I was trying to find the list of taxes and fees we pay here in WI. and couldn’t. Regardless, we are all taxed and fee’d nearly to death. Two things need to happen. 1) Vote the “Partys” out of office and hire those that openly work for “We the people” 2) Everyone needs to understand that if you want the gov’t to provide a service – it costs tax payers’ dollars. Too many people expect the gov’t to do and provide everything for them. It all comes at a cost.

I agree. One comment about prisons though – Minnesota ranks 49th or 50th every year on the number of folks we imprison. To imply that we overspend on corrections in MN is not something I agree with.

50% of our tax revenue go towards education already within MN. If they can’t figure out ways to make it work with the money they have, why on earth should be create ways to give them more?

My .02

Question #1: How much total do you spend on EVERY SINGLE PURCHASE you make per year?

Question #2: How much total do you spend on CLOTHING ONLY per year?

Now, here’s the tricky part so stay with me…would you rather SAVE .25% on answer #1, or would you rather pay 6.25% on answer #2???

As for me, I would rather SAVE .25% on EVERYTHING I PURCHASE, than quivel over paying 6.25% tax on clothing…which for me I spend less than $500/year on clothing. That works out to be $31.25 a year in clothing tax, but consider the savings on everything else!

The only people that should be against this plan are people who’s major portion of spending is on clothing. The rest of us should welcome this proposal with open arms!

Teenage girls are probably at the mere mention of this proposal. And, the fact that a democrat came up with the idea actually blows my mind…I wonder did he do the math?

Close the borders and bring the jobs home.
That will solve the budget problems in Minnesota.
On a national level you will need to turn off the printing presses at the Federal Mint.

That political enough?

Oh, and lets do away with the Democrat vs Republican crap. One is just as bad as the other.

That’s how I read it too…. the only thing is, how do they “make up” funds, when in my opinion… .25% less across the board, cannot hardly be made up by 6.25% on a pair of jeans…

big G

Brian, you went off on a tangent there buddy.

Anyhow, Abraham Lincoln was quoted as saying “If you look for the worst in man you will surely find it”. My democrat comment was in no way a slam, because believe it or not both parties have GOOD PEOPLE. My comment referred to what BigG alluded to…how does this proposal close the revenue gap…to which I would respond that I don’t worry about that so long as I am saving .25% on gas, vehicles, toys, etc…

Regardless, if this does pass I am sure that if it doesn’t achieve its intended purpose that we can all rest assured the government will find a way to squeeze blood from us turnips.

Didnt I hear that all of our legislature members are up for election this year?? Time for some “change”.

I just looked on my Cabelas card last year, and I spent about $17,000 on taxable items, which results in about $105 of taxes. I spent only (and this is somewhat embarrassing) $300 on clothing! (Probably for my wife )

Under the current proposal I would’ve paid $19.50 in clothing tax, but I would have saved $42.50 if the sales tax rate was reduced by .25%. Not a huge savings, but savings none-the-less, and in this economy every penny matters. Now, had I bought a new Skeeter or some other big ticket item, the tax savings would be even bigger! But you get the idea, right?

Politics aside, what do the rest of you guys think of this proposal, I am curious???

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I just looked on my Cabelas card last year, and I spent about $17,000 on taxable items,

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$17,000 at Cabelas and you didn’t get me anything? You cheap

My .$02: Too many taxes already. Why not try Gov. accountability? I have a wife & 4 kids(#5 due in May). Kids grow. Kids grow FAST! That means they’re always outgrowing their clothes. We’re constantly buying shoes, underwear, jackets, shirts, pants, socks, etc. for our growing kids. The last thing we need is to start taxing clothes. Once it starts it’s only going to go up in %. The way I see it, families are going to get hit hardest by this type of tax

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…$17,000 on taxable items, which results in about $105 of taxes.

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The IRS is on it’s way to make some corrections.

Why are they always looking for extra sources of taxes to close gaps instead of cutting expenses????

Do you get an 2nd or 3rd job, or stop eating lobster?

I know I will tick off some with this, but the Federal Govt expanded unemployment benefits to TWO YEARS???? Remember in the 90s we said that people couldnt be on welfare for 2 years???? Politians were called heartless, but the reduction perpetual welfare really helped many people.

Are we really helping anyone or just enabling?

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…$17,000 on taxable items, which results in about $105 of taxes.

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The IRS is on it’s way to make some corrections.

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I assume he is somehow figuring the $105 as the .25% portion Which I can’t figure the math… but Call off the man….

big G

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…$17,000 on taxable items, which results in about $105 of taxes.

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The IRS is on it’s way to make some corrections.

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In Mich @ 6% thats $1,020 in taxes

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“if you want the gov’t to provide a service – it costs tax payers’ dollars! Too many people expect the gov’t to ‘do’ and ‘provide’ everything for them. It all comes at a cost.

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This Nailed IT! To much of today’s society has become an “ENTITLEMENT” society.More of the unwilling being lead by the unjust And expecting the hard working (with the exception of those just working but not hard)left to pay their way
Just my .02$ worth

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That’s how I read it too…. the only thing is, how do they “make up” funds, when in my opinion… .25% less across the board, cannot hardly be made up by 6.25% on a pair of jeans…

big G

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They must have some new math no one else knows about!

Can I start picking and choosing which taxes I want to contribute to?

I thought sales tax in Owattana was 7%? I think it is higher than 7% in Rochester.

My wife and I just decided that 2 great kids are not enough. We decided to have 3 more just so we can’t afford to pay our bills every month and can have the government with all these B as in B, S as is S programs take care of us for the rest of our lives. Just kidding, 2 great kids are enough We will all have to live by the A , legislators rules for as long as it takes to vote them out.

John

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…$17,000 on taxable items, which results in about $105 of taxes.

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The IRS is on it’s way to make some corrections.

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Ha! Ha! Good Catch…make that $1,105 in taxes…so yes quite a savings.

Rootski, it wasn’t all spent on Cabelas stuff, I just use their credit card, but it did earn me a nice little Henry .22 lever action in points!