Deseret News | 2 senators seek to hike sales tax on Utah food

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2 senators seek to hike sales tax on Utah food

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Taxpayers? | 4:47 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

Doesn't Stephenson work for the Utah Tax Evaders Association? Perhaps that is why he wants to increase taxes on families while leaving the special tax breaks he got put in place for the firms that donate to that organization.

McIff | 4:51 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

Kay McIff says big families don't really need a tax break? I thought this was Utah where we like big families.

James | 4:52 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

Thats right raise the tax on the poor.

Comments continue below

justired | 4:53 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

in my opinion, they should leave it off, and take of the remaining portion as scheduled.

Anonymous | 4:56 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

Taxing food is wrong.

carterslc | 4:57 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

other states have no sales tax and they are making it

JES | 5:06 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

I don't think Stephenson has thought this through very well.

Shawn | 5:08 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

I just don't get it. Utah is one of 6 states that have a tax on unprepared food. The people want the food tax removed NOT put back in place. 44 states realize that a tax on food is unfair to everyone but especially the poor who are affected the most by a food tax. We have to listen to 20 state senators who think that they know better than the majority of the people of Utah. The food tax is totally unfair and should be completely repealed and then forgotten about it forever. So, while everybody is still struggling to make ends meet our state legislators want to increase on an item that is needed by everyone. Will out state legislators please get their collective heads out of the sand, take a look at neighboring states since they don't impose a tax on food and figure something else out. You can do if you put your mind to it instead of taking the easy way out. Let's get real for one, PLEASE.

Restore the tax | 5:11 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

It was the best of times when it was removed. Now, it is the worst of times, and should be restored, either fully or partially. Many of the poor are receiving food stamps, and therefore, don't have to pay the tax anyway. It would not hurt them.

Education needs the funds. Classroom sizes of 30+ are straining our capabilities.

DD | 5:17 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

There are plenty of other states that don't charge sales tax on groceries at all. Perhaps Utah should find out how they're able to do that.

Food Tax Pathetic | 5:21 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

I'm of the opinion that there are some things that ought to be held sacred and tax-free.

Food is one of them. Tax alcohol or cigarettes or ATV's or even things like soda pop and snacks.

But regular food ought to be left alone. They should never tax basic life-sustaining items.

Steve | 5:22 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

How about they take a pay cut instead of giving pay raises all the time!!!!!!!!!And making us the people who can't afford pay for everything!!!!!

Skitarghee | 5:26 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

Raise taxes on food to 25%. Make those rich people and large families pay. If 6% is good then 25% ought to be better. Let's make it high enough so it makes sense to shop in Evanston or Malad or Wendover.

Rhinos in the Senate | 5:26 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

No where in the article did I see a reason for increasing the tax except to raise state revenue, for what? At least give us a reason for raising the tax like some big city tax payer wasted frontline rail system or something of that nature.

Meanstoanend | 5:28 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

Maybe the state does need more money but I naturally come from a state where there are no taxes on unprepared food at all and I think the prices on food here are already outrageous. Are there other alternatives?

mtl_bndr | 5:35 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

Just goes to prove this is a one party nation ,republicratic democonic party to represent anyone who dosen't pay tax or anything else! tax,tax,tax and spend,spend,spend,spend,spend;as long as it's not THEIR money!!!!!!!!!

Marci | 5:37 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

Are you kiding me? What type of lawmakers do we have? How does cutting food tax not help the poor? Isn't it obvious that the poor spend a lot greater percentage of their income on food than the rich? I think it's a great achievement that Utah finally did something to help the poor and now people want to take it away!

Dave N. | 5:38 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

I consider it morally wrong when any government for any reason whatsoever imposes a tax on food. Not a word about reducing costs by reducing bureaucracy. Just another reason why I never vote for a candidate who has already "served" two terms. They lose touch with reality and with what is right and good for the citizenry.

Ben H. | 5:38 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

All of the good work that Jon Huntsman did for our state is about to be undone. That is just too bad that some in our legislature lack the courage to stand up to people and force them to take budget cuts like the rest of us.

over taxed | 5:42 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

What ever happened to conservitive values?

Not poor, but........... | 5:45 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

I am on a fixed income, and the food tax used to reduce my ability to buy foods. Now with all the price increases, food is even more expensive, trucking companies have to be compensated for extra gasoline prices, mandatory rest cycles mean drivers take longer,(or two take turns driving)meaning they get paid more per run, and more fees that get tacked onto the price of food. Poor people and fixed incomes can't take a tax on food. Over the year, our food budgets would never stretch far enough to provide food for us on the same amount we are spending now.

The tax is unfair, it decreases a families ability to provide adequate, healthy food for themselves.

Tax, Spend, Anti-Family GOP | 5:47 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

Unbelievable.

hairdog | 5:52 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

You have got to be kidding me! I dont need the tax cut? ITS MY MONEY! NOT YOURS! I worked hard for it, did you? NO! Were my property taxes raised? Yes! Is my home worth more in this Obama economy? NO! Are my fuel costs, heating and water costs up? Yes! Do I need every stinking cent that i can get? YES I DO! We need to throw all these bums out of office and see how much they enjoy being unemployed. From Washington all the way down to our state and county and even city (so called) represenitives.

Master Dupay | 6:02 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

The food tax is the fairest tax in Utah. What is needed, of course, is a head tax. Bring it on!

Take Over the Peoples House | 6:11 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

If the Utah legislature puts a tax back on food, I suggest we take over the People's House. Why do gas companies get to operate with a low tax rate but not people who need to eat? Raise the tax on prepared food, which the well off are more likely to consume. This is the most backwards suggestion that I've read.

Brainless | 6:24 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

If you are short a Billion fromyour wallet....you cut out spending...raising taxes of 170ml won't get you there....SO GET REAL AND CUT a BILLION IN UTAH GOVT SPENDING, Leges!!!!

We need the $$$ | 9:37 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

You guys that are against this and comparing us to other states are forgetting that we have more kids on a per capita basis to educate than other states -- far more. It is a fact, no matter how you cut it.

We need more dollars to deal with the growing population of students. If you don't believe, GO VISIT YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL. Ask the teachers what is happening with class sizes. You will learn.

If you don't think Utah education needs extra $, you have not been asking about or looking at our schools.

As for the poor, I hope they are getting food stamps, and pay no tax. Food assistance are designed for exactly these situations. They should be receiving the assistance. Several local agencies could help them enroll.

sch | 10:51 p.m. Nov. 9, 2009

Anyone who thinks that those who are on assistance in regards to food and don't pay tax on food are sadly misled. I know personally several families who have been on assistance with regards to food stamps and they have had to pay the tax on food. Repeal the blasted tax on food since it is classified as an essential item and raise the tax on non essential items. Do not be so quick to act and think that you know better in raising taxes. There is only so much that we will take before a full fledged rebellion is on the hands of the state house. There is after all a saying in Belgium between a Priest and a Mayor: "You keep them dumb and I will keep them poor" The same goes here in UT only between the education department and the state house.

CP | 2:26 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009

I don't think it's right to tax food. If they want to raise the taxes on recreation things like alcohol or cigarettes or even the movie theaters that's fine with me..but leave the food alone. Or even better like one comment said: They should take a cut in pay and then there would be alot of money left over.

IDAHO FOOD TAX 6% | 2:56 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009

In Idaho we pay full sales tax on food, though through the kindness of the legislature we get a "grocery credit" on our tax returns. In my case, for my family of 7, we can spend about $450 on groceries per month before having to pay any sales tax on it. Isn't that benevolent of the Idaho Legislature? Of course they get to use that money for a year without interest before I get it back. The US Constitution makes a head tax illegal, so since we all have to have food to eat, can someone explain to me how sales tax on food isn't a head tax? But, what to worry, according to Pelosi's Health Care, we all get to start spending $15,000 a year on insurance or go to jail (or our neighbors get to pay it for us if we make less than a certain amount) Isn't taxation WITH representation great?!!!

THEeyepatch | 3:05 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009

You know what, why not, lets do it. Something needs to be built.

Food tax. | 4:31 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009

This tax has nothing to do with being poor because the poor on food stamps don't pay any tax on unprepared food. Food stamp debit cards are a tax free income.

There is still much that can be done to cut spending by state government, especially in cutting and subsidizing illegal aliens. Also the legislators can increase income taxes by getting rid of illegal aliens in the labor market. Illegals and their employers do not pay any taxes out of their incomes and are liveing pretty nicely on their tax free incomes.

And the employers are making lucrative profits because they don't have to pay or file any shared taxes on SSA, Medicare, Medicaid, or Incomes. Its a very lucrative fraud scheme and why they fire american workers and keep illegals on the job.

Illegals are not only defrauding america of taxes due, they are also getting very lucrative welfare benefits and subsidized living expenses, like $50 rent in any place they live. Tax payers subsidize the other $700 of their monthly rent, even with their $40,000+ tax free incomes.

Too much government spending is going to illegal aliens who are illegal foreign nationals.

real | 4:31 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009

To those people that have "large"families and are complaining about the schools being over crowed, you pay the tax. If you can afford 8,9 + kids You pay for public education. Mine went to private school that I paid for. Remember how America came to be- they ran a way from taxation and religious persecution. Never re-elect an incumbent! When life closes in on the politician, he just votes himself a raise. We have unsupervised "children" in Congress running loose in the candy store, what do you really expect from them? Remember NWO

Amazed | 5:31 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009

I'm not sure why I spend the time reading the comments to news articles. It's amazing the lack of thought that goes into them. The article clearly states (and accurately I might add) that the tax on food is not regressive. It does, in fact, hit the rich more than it does the poor. Why? Because the rich spend much more money on food than the poor do. A percentage tax is a fair tax because everyone is charged the same rate. But people get all emotional about a tax on food because food is a necessity that people have to have. So what? So is soap and toothpaste and garbage bags and socks etc. - you name it. A family who spends $200 per month on food (this would probably be considered to be a poor family) would only be paying $112 per year for sales tax on food. A family who spends $1000 per month on food (and this is very realistic) would be paying $564 per year for sales tax on food. So the sales tax on food is hardly regressive. But most of the people who spout off don't take time to think.

Mike | 5:33 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009

I moved from Utah 2 years ago to a state that has no sales tax on food or clothing items. My state made up for it in Property taxes which i might add are outrageous.

Taxing people in a very poor economy is the dumbest thing government can do. That money needs to be in the hands of consumers so they can spend it and get this economy moving again.

fixed income | 5:36 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009

Vote them out of office next time. NO NEW TAXES !

John Wicks | 5:41 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009

What is needed is for those two BOZO'S to be voted out of office!!!

PJ Mama | 5:45 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009

If the dunderheads want to raise the tax,give us a good,fair argument. DON'T be a bunch of fingerpointing crybabies playing "he said this" and "he wanted that." How do other states do it? By having some sort of gambling in place to make up for the shortfall...scratcher tickets,state lotteries,Lotto,Powerball etc.
Bring it here to Utah and you won't see (as much of) our $$$$ going to ,Idaho,Colorado and Nevada

tired | 5:49 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009

So, this is what it's come to?
Food or education? You can't educate a hungry child.

People think those on food stamps are taken care of; but they don't understand that the State of Utah assumed that a family of two consumes $300 per month in food. Then they take your income, subtract half of your shelter costs, then through a number of other math exercises, the State determines how much they should deduct from that $300. Whatever that amount is, the balance gives you food stamp allowance amount.
Rarely $300. Most food stamp recipients still have to supplement their allowance with cold hard cash, like everyone else.

I'm in favor of a tax on fake foods...like soda, potato chips, cookies with high fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated fats.

Don't tax produce and other real foods.

yup | 6:07 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009

as soon as the boss man went to China the little people rose up and started acting macho again.

cut the tax, fulfill the promise. Taxing food, even if Utah has too many people in their family units, is wrong. Morally not acceptable. Go check out the mining companies, the insurance companies, and the banks if you want to know where the money is. You are chasing the wrong guys.

Kip Meacham | 6:19 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009

The paradox here is that the sales tax on food is the one tax that captures tax revenue from illegal/undocumented aliens. The surrounding states have alternate tax revenue sources like oil, natural gas, and gambling to shore up their state tax coffers. We can't have it both ways: we either cut taxes and spending (meaning reductions in gov services--which I favor); or, we raise taxes in the most fairly distributed means at hand. We either live with reduced gov services or pay for them.

Feed the Beast | 6:20 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009

It is not surprising that both the Utah Tax Review Commission and Senator Stephenson support reinstating the sales tax on food. Their focus has always been on finding and protecting stable sources of tax revenue.

Both the Commission and Stephenson are avid supporters of the property tax since it has to be paid regardless of an individual’s financial situation with only the most limited exceptions.

Likewise, they both support the sales tax on food because people still have to eat even if they have seen their family income drop precipitously due to job losses, retirement, lower pay, etc.

They find income taxes and sales taxes on non-food items to be troubling because as income drops, people pay less of these taxes.

In addition, Stephenson and Hillyard are typical of the legislators who focus on feeding the beast rather than on putting it on a strict diet.

After all, it is easier to constantly take from the people than to hold government to its legitimate functions.

It is more pleasurable to spend than to do the work necessary to eliminate nice-to-have programs, cut out duplicate activities and eliminate waste fraud and mismanagement.

Sheldon | 6:28 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009

Raise tax on food at a time so many families are struggling to make ends meet. I alreaady saw my property tax increase even though my home value fell. I guess Howard is looking for a way to fund a pay raise for him and his cronies sucking off the government teat.

If we need money for education how about eliminating the state income tax deduction for dependents that are in public schools. That way the families with 12 kids pay a little for their education.

money | 6:30 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009

food is a important commodity, we need it to survive, raising the tax is not helping the poor economy, as far as school goes, bring in the LOTTERY, it has helped all other states with new school books etc. go across any border, wendover, malad or evanston, all you see is utah license plates, so we support other states for educational purposes, no body is twisting anyones arms to play, but make it legal here, keep the money in this state.

Who should pay? | 6:31 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009

Obviously, the other guy. Taxing food is inherently wrong. But, the Mormon legislature has already taxed to the hilt things that Mormons don't use.

State income tax? Well, after 6 or 7 deductions there isn't much being paid. After 10% tithing, there is even less. Who should pay to educate all these kids?

And now I will hear how "all these kids" are necessary to pay for future SS and Medicare. So, that logic suggests that we need an ever increasing population. Some please explain how that logic pans out in 50+ years.

Notice that Utah is subsidized by other states, (mostly blue). Is that called socialism?

Bob | 6:33 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009

We need to vote this guy out. Raising Taxes on food at a time so many families are struggling to make ends meet. Most other states don't tax food at all. We need to cut spending not gouge the tax payer.

Anonymous | 6:47 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009

I have a proposal. Since the flat tax, also a Huntsman idea, was implemented, those in the upper (>$200,000) income brackets had their income taxes cut dramatically. Let's raise the income tax on households with incomes over $200,000 to say 7% (like it used to be). That should plug this hole. But no, wait, that would be a tax on the wealthy! We can't do that!!

jane | 6:49 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009

Yup, looks like Republicans at it again.. I have learned to go without a health care now and cut in my pay and work time, cut my expenses and health wellness to fit my budget. Make do with what you have!!! I have.

Cut Govt Compensation First | 6:52 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009

and then we will talk. The cost of Govt has to be reduced first. This includes all forms of compensation at all levels and departments. I don't see this debate going on. I only see straw dogs like schooling to cloud the issue of our tax money used to pay for overhead. Does anyone really think govt is lean? This last recession showed just how valuable I govt job is when you cant be fired in the worst of economic times. Reduced job risk should be compensated with less money. Let them quit and rejoin the real workforce if they don't like the compensation.

Mary Leishman | 7:00 a.m. Nov. 10, 2009

Taxing essential items such as food will only bring down the amount of food items each family can afford, cause and effect. I agree with those who state raise the taxes on prepared foods, ATV's and anything which would be considered a non necessity such as soda, chips, TV's, sterio's X-Boxes,etc. not a necessary item such things as breakfast foods, soup's, meat's, vegie's, bread and milk just to survive and live. All our government elected officials need to cut their spending by not getting a salary raise, all non-esential spending until there is a balanced budget across the entire United States, they need to stop spending money they do not have. I say; no more perks, no more salary raise's and tax payer paid health care for life once our government officials leave office, no more pork spending. If our elected government officials had to live like the rest of us after leaving office life, like paying and living on social security, things would be much different concerning our tax dollars and how they are spent. We the people need to start saying it with votes.

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