The capitol was a lesson in the differences between Republicans and Democrats on Wednesday. While Republicans argued for tax relief in their morning press conference, Democrats debated a bill that would dramatically increase taxes in the most asinine manner.
L to R: Senators Clark Barnes, Vic Sprouse, Steve Harrison, Russ Weeks, John Yoder, and Jesse Guills.
The Senate Republicans met Wednesday for a press conference on tax relief. The Governor promised a special session in December 2006 to deal with the issue but the Republicans asked, “why not today?”
Why indeed? I believe I know the answers to that question.
Unhappy to merely be the governor, Manchin wishes to be a legislator as well and dictate what the Legislature can and cannot do by narrowly writing his call for the special session. He did it in the September special session and there is no reason to believe he will not do it again. By narrowly limiting the call to only what he wants to discuss, he also provides cover for the Democrats who, when it comes down to it, want the government to remain the tax glutton it is.
The second reason is the elections will be over in November. Having the special session after the election give the democrats liberty to promise the moon until Election Day and then pass miserly reforms after they are securely ensconced in their seat.
L to R: Senators Clark Barnes, Vic Sprouse, and John Yoder.
In today’s press conference, the Senate Republicans spread out every tax reform bill introduced to-date by Republicans and urged the Governor to take up any bill and provide relief for West Virginians.
We have all heard the statistics. West Virginia’s tax burden is ranked 13th highest in the country. We are also ranked 49th in per median income. It is clear the time for reform is today, not December.
That was the Republican’s message Wednesday morning. The Democrats on the other hand have a completely different idea about taxes as was evidenced in the afternoon’s Senate Government Organization Committee when the Democrats took up Senator Hunter’s tax bill (S.B. 43).
The bill authorizes counties to impose up to a 3% “recreational and amusement tax” on admission fees to:
- Athletic events
- Car and motorcycle races or contests
- Theatrical performances, including movies, plays, lectures and concerts
- Tours and programs at historical or manufacturing sites
- Carnivals and circuses
- Craft, art or antique shows
- Flea markets
- Horse, dog or cat shows
- Rodeos
- Industrial, manufacturing or retailing shows
As well as a 3% tax on:
- Sales of alcohol
- Sales of tobacco
- Sales or rentals at ski and golf shops
- Skiing and golfing related services
- Sales or rentals of white water rafting, canoeing, kayaking, boating, scuba diving or snorkeling, horseback riding, climbing, hiking and camping apparel, equipment and accessories
- Admission and rental fees for bowling, miniature golf and golf driving ranges
- Sales of souvenirs, art and craft items
- Rentals of video tape players, video tape recorders, video cameras and other cameras
- Rentals of prerecorded videotapes
- Sales of food prepared for human consumption, sold at restaurants, delicatessens, fast food establishments and any business retailing carryout ready-to-eat food for immediate consumption
Then §11-28-5 says:
“The following sales, services or fees are exempt from a tax imposed pursuant to this article:
[…]
“(10) Admission fees requested as a voluntary donation or admission, and except for the sale of food and other items, fees charged for charity fund-raising events or for not-for-profit corporation fund-raising events; and
“(11) Except for the sale of food and other items, admission fees assessed for events sponsored by an elementary or secondary school or by a church.”
In plain English, if you are having a fund-raiser at your church and are selling pies, you must pay the government. If you are a charity trying to raise money for a worthy cause, 3% of the much-needed funds received from sales go to a government that has a $400 million surplus.
It looks like Senator Hunter did not miss a single possible scenario to make money – except for garage sales. After seeing the extensive list, this “recreational and amusement tax” is not the least bit amusing.
Wednesday underscores the divide between Republicans and Democrats. As West Virginia plunges down a precipice, Democrats are only willing to press down the gas. With failing ideas such as this I wonder if instead of a policy reform, our state needs policy-maker reform.
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Comments
Thanks for this information. It is unbelievable!!
Will try to pass it on.
Good stuff here. I was talking with my wife the other day, and she was telling me that he sister and brother–in-law were going to owe the state on their income tax. They have never owed before, and work the same jobs as always. This state never ceases to amaze me at the taxation. It is truly ridiculous!
Nancy: Thanks for checking in! For every story I am able to write I have at least two more as maddening.
Stacey: When you have a complex tax structure like West Virginia’s, there is no end to the confusion. We were over charged by several thousand and almost went to small claims court to get the money back. The state figured out they were wrong though and refunded the money.
Doesn’t surprise me. I was reading on another blog (http://mwilliams.info) some time back and he was talking about making a fair tax. One of the readers tried to argue with that the more complictaed the tax system, the more fair it is. Turned out he was a Tax Attorney. He just couldn’t (or refused to) see that if everyone paid the same percentage, it would be fair.
Gee, Stacey…don’t you know? Fairness isn’t measured by opportunity, it’s measured by outcomes!
www.fairtax.org
More of a reform on the national level, but something drastic needs to be done. We are far past the idea of slightly modifying our current system.
Will,
I have a simple philosphy,…it’s called the “Never, ever, never” doctrine of taxes.
Never, ever, never vote for a tax increase,…regardless of whether it’s pushed by a Democrat, Indpendent, or a Republican,..or whether it’s your mother, father, brother or sister asking for me. Never, ever, never,… After having personally witnessed the inefficiency of government at the local, state, and federal level, they already have plenty of money and need to work on the efficiency side of things before getting more money. Never, ever, never, ever,…
[…] Senate Bill 123 by Senator John Hunter (D-Monongalia). Affectionately dubbed the “clown bill,” Senator Hunter would have allowed counties to tax all sorts of amusements with up to a 3% tax. To add insult to injury, he would have also taxed monies raised by charity and church fundraisers. [read more here] Thankfully, the bill did not pass. […]