Editorial: Cut Food Tax - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Editorial: Cut Food Tax

Posted: Updated:

  • Editorials

  • Thursday, May 16 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:20:04 GMT
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;

  • Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-14 23:20:07 GMT
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 

  • Thursday, May 9 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-09 23:20:06 GMT
    What was the old Pan-Am gas station at the corner of Bibb and Coosa is now no longer.  Last weekend that landmark was demolished with nothing remaining where it once stood other than the outline of a foundation. What
    What was the old Pan-Am gas station at the corner of Bibb and Coosa is now no longer.  Last weekend that landmark was demolished with nothing remaining where it once stood other than the outline of a foundation. What
    •   

We all want the state sales tax on groceries removed, including both Democratic and Republican legislators.

To do so requires a constitutional amendment voted on by us.

It's time we get the chance to make that vote.

We haven't yet because legislators are at odds on how to replace that revenue.

Some would recommend the government simply spend  less.

That will happen soon enough when the stimulus money runs out.

A replacement tax is needed.

It could be a higher tax on tobacco or alcohol.

It could be a compromise on eliminating the federal tax deduction on state taxes.

Instead of cutting it completely, maybe cutting it in half will help get enough votes from legislators to get this done.

If that doesn't provide enough money to offset the food  tax revenue lost, maybe we cut the food tax in half for now and seek to eliminate it totally next year.

Surely, legislators can reach a compromise to give us a chance to vote on this important issue.