Once again let me remind you that there is a gathering of the Alabama Religious Community at 11:00 a.m. Thursday on the steps of the State House (where the legislature meets) to encourage legislators to abolish sales tax on groceries. If you can't be there call your legislator and urge him to abolish the grocery sales tax. Or do both. More info at www.alarise.org.
A friend of mine had a conversation with a legislator today, expressing support for the legislation. The legislator was frank, and said he would be voting no. He said that he had to vote no because the legislation would hurt people who presently enjoy the State tax deduction for federal taxes paid. It is true that under the proposed legislation that, in order for the act to be revenue neutral, it would remove the State income tax deduction for federal taxes paid.
Everyone would get a tax reduction by doing away with the sales tax on groceries. State sales taxes are four percent (most municipalities impose varying additional sales taxes). So the amount of taxes you save will depend on how much you spend on groceries. The truth is, wealthier folks spend much more on groceries than poor folks and therefore will save more on taxes. But everyone will get this break.
And everyone will lose the State deduction for federal taxes paid. Obviously those people in the lower income brackets will not lose much. Those who make more money will pay more taxes.
The legislator's response made me angry. I understand not wanting to pay more taxes. That is expecially on my mind today.
But I don't want my tax deduction paid for by the least among us, a tax deduction that is paid for by Alabama children not having healthy food, or adequate clothing, or a senior citizen having to choose between medicine or the power bill. We are better than that.
We talk of morality. This tax on the basic necessities of life for those who barely get by is immoral.
It shouldn't wait. There is no excuse, even if it means that the burden on our less fortunate brothers and sisters must be lifted and borne by the rest of us. That would be the right thing to do.
For years we have done much more for big business and large landowners, some of whom are not even residents of our state. That is one of the main reasons Alabama ridiculously relies on sales tax on food for revenue.. We have demanded so little from them. But big business and large landowners have money. And money buys influence. Influence with friends in the statehouse. Big money has a big voice.
The poor have no voice no influence, except yours.
This is one of those urgent things. Do the right thing, the good thing. Let your voice be heard, not just once, but again and again until this simple thing is done. Do it today and tomorrow. Tell everyone you know.
It won't solve all our problems. But it is doable. And it is a great start.
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