Instead of trying to extract more taxes from Internet commerce, Governor Spitzer should instead ask the legislature to enact a permanent Internet sales tax holiday.
Clearly there is precedent for varying sales tax rates. Many state and local governments offer sales tax holidays for back-to-school expenses. They exempt some types of purchases from sales tax, such as prescription drugs, and tax other goods, like alcohol and tobacco, at higher rates.
A permanent Internet sales tax holiday would encourage more New Yorkers to buy products online rather than driving to the mall. Let the postal delivery person, Fedex, or UPS deliver the products instead - they'll are coming down my street anyway.
Why would we want to encourage shopping online? How about less traffic, less gasoline consumption, and less air pollution. That would also result in savings on the maintenance and expansion of the state's transportation infrastructure and lower healthcare costs as a result of a cleaner environment. The latter would also help offset the reduction in sales tax revenues.
Such legislation would also reflect the sentiments of most constituent homeowners and other consumers, who in public opinion surveys consistently oppose Internet sales taxes. So how about it, Governor Taxcutter? Here's an unpopular tax you can cut that would reduce pollution, traffic jams, healthcare costs, and transportation infrastructure costs.
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Other reader comments on this article
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It's easy to see why politicians would want to pick the fruit that seems to be right in front of... [MORE]
UniqueContent
Feb 15, 2008 13:44
My heart goes out to all New Yorkers; history has shown that they are a benevolent group, who face adversity... [MORE]
Mark Hill
Nov 30, 2007 10:36
Instead of trying to extract more taxes from Internet commerce, Governor Spitzer should instead ask the legislature to enact a...
Bruce Hahn
Nov 27, 2007 20:52
Point of sale sales tax has been the norm for many years. Now it is a new age and the... [MORE]
Martin Collard
Nov 15, 2007 11:25
This is just wrong in my opinion. They're already taking about 60% of our income. Now they want to take... [MORE]
chris
Feb 6, 2008 18:10
While I understand why Governor Spitzer would like to gain additional revenue from Internet sales, the loop hole they are... [MORE]
casey Dougall
Nov 15, 2007 09:26
Things like this make me proud to call myself a "New York Refuge." I left the state in 1995 and... [MORE]
Bill
Nov 15, 2007 07:36
Saw this link on www.polijam.com Spitzer must be worried that his popularity it too high (at 40%, I gather).... [MORE]
brooke
Nov 14, 2007 22:53
Mr Spitzer has not had enough SHAME by proposing to give ILLEGAL ALIANS free passes and free drivers licenses. Now,... [MORE]