Fairness for all via sales tax

This is a comment I wrote in response to an article in the Juneau Empire, our local newspaper. We have some unique laws here. No other municipality in the country does it our way. Sales taxes and the way we elect assembly members are two of them. Currently residents of Juneau 65 and older pay no sales taxes on all purchases except for liquor. Is it fair? Don't think so. Are the abuses of this exemption? You better believe it! Sara is a member of the assembly who is currently running for cover. Sales taxes are one hot potato here in the capitol city.

BLESS YOU SARA!! Finally a hint of fairness and common sense to our crazy unique sales tax laws. Exempt the basics for everyone. Include things like toilet paper. We don't have to exempt all food. Use some good health guidelines. But why not exempt hamburger and tax prime rib? End the unfair senior tax exemption. Only those already exempt items bought for resale get exempted at purchase. For rest take receipts to city hall. Have someone who knows what they are doing go over them. The present resale cards are a bit of a joke. Additional exemptions refunds can only be used as a credit on their sales tax collected account. Sure it would cost us a little more to administer resale purchases this way, but misuse of the exemption would just stop. The increase in revenue should more then offset the cost.

Give ourselves a present by raising the sales tax in an area roughly the same as the DT historic district May through September. Exempt all sales in Juneau, excepting tobacco and liquor, Thanksgiving through January 1.

And on residential rents cap the exemption there. Exempt only first so many dollars, and tax everything over that. Tax the high rollers and not those on the shorts.

Finally check the nonprofit purchases. Just because you work for one, shouldn't you pay sales taxes on the coffee purchased for the office? Why should items bought at places like Sally Ann be exempt. Doesn't the city charges sales tax at the pool and Eaglecrest. When you have a religiously significant type meal at your place of worship why is there no tax on the purchase of fixings or even the cost paid to to take part. The Feds don't let you deduct the actual cost of the meal for charity, why don't we do the same? You still got to eat don't you?

I am not trying step on any one's toes ora say unkind things about anyone. Fairness for all is what I'd like to see.

Where am I?

Hi!

Am still on the planet and connected to the Internet. I know there has been lots to comment on. Much of that will be stale by now. Some things are still worth mentioning. So hang on in 60 years have never been without an opinion, ideas to convey and stories to tell.