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Posted on 07/15/2009 5:07:54 AM PDT by reaganaut1
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is proposing to raise about $10 billion a year to fix aging water and sewer systems by taxing the biggest users.
The legislation, which has sparked significant opposition from industry, is expected to be unveiled Wednesday at a news conference on Capitol Hill.
The bill calls for a 0.15% tax on any corporation earning a profit of more than $4 million a year. Manufacturers of any water-based beverages, excluding alcohol, would see a four-cent tax per container. Soaps, detergents, toiletries, toilet tissue, water softeners and cooking oils would face a 3% tax on wholesale prices. Pharmaceuticals would be taxed at 0.5% of the wholesale price.
...
A spokeswoman for Mr. Blumenauer said the trust fund created under the bill would bring in about $10 billion a year.
Concerns about the safety and integrity of water systems is a perennial concern, particularly in older cities. Recent water-main breaks in New York City have disrupted traffic and transit.
A U.S. Chamber of Commerce representative, Janet Kavinoky, said: "Anytime there's a broad base of general taxes being used to fund infrastructure, the chamber is going to take a close look at how that affects our members."
The chamber also has concerns that a federal subsidy for infrastructure repair could send a signal to local municipalities that they don't need to charge the real cost of providing water.
...
Kevin Keane, senior vice president of the American Beverage Association, said beverage companies would almost certainly raise their prices to help compensate for the tax. This is just another example of "raising taxes on the middle class," Mr. Keane said. [It] would just add to the burden of taxpayers at a time they are already facing economic struggles," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Republicans don't do as well with female as male voters. Women do most of the grocery shopping, and I don't think it would poll well with them. Republicans should stop being "bipartisan" and blast it.
Opposition to a water tax could be one of many themes for the Tea Parties.
Will people stop buying soap and toilet paper? We will be like the Europeans!!
If it were me, I would simply stop skimming off things like highway funds to spend on other things but I have one of those conscience thingies.
“Trust fund”?????
Where have we heard THAT before, hmmmmm?
And those of us who aren’t connected to water or sewer systems will be exempt, right? sarc/
Now they are gonna tax my ass! :-)
What RINO is supporting this?
They are just simply out of control, they have pushed too far.
I was just saying yesterday what is next toilet paper and waa la... the loons do it. NEXT 0bama will tell us what type of toilet paper we can use.
Republicans should run away from these taxes as fast as they can.
Let me tell you how it will be
There’s one for you, nineteen for me
Cos I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman
Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don’t take it all
Cos I’m the taxman, yeah I’m the taxman
If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street
If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat
If you get too cold I’ll tax the heat
If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet
Taxman!
Cos I’m the taxman, yeah I’m the taxman
Don’t ask me what I want it for (Aahh Mr. Wilson)
If you don’t want to pay some more (Aahh Mr. Heath)
Cos I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman
Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
Cos I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman
And you’re working for no one but me
Taxman!
Just another tax on the rich. Nothing to see here. Move along.
Taxes into....’Trust Fund”.
Government ‘Trust’.
Haahhahahha! Very funny.
I already pay a Water Bill to my Village for potable water and storm sewers, AND I pay a County Bill for sewage treatment.
Fricken communists.
maybe this will cause an erosion of support among women. especially the TP tax.
Apparently they figure that people are just going to whine and take up the rump.
So far, they win.
I the first stimulus bill had designated all 700 billion dollars to be spent on rebuilding our infrastructure we would at least have something to show for all the money we have to borrow. Instead it was turned over to the National Organization of Women (NOW) to determine where it would be spent. Personally, I don’t think that Johnston County,NC (Where I live) needed $300,000 to stimulate it’s Art Community...
Just try it.
Whew!!! I was thinking the same thing, but wondered if I was wrong until I read your post!!
Thanks for salvaging my sanity!!
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