Walmart Tax

[MSgt213]

Panel hears ‘box store' tax plan

By CHARLES S. JOHNSON - IR State Bureau - 02/16/05

HELENA — Wal-Mart pays its workers such low wages that they qualify for state welfare benefits subsidized by Montana taxpayers, people told a Senate committee Tuesday.

As an incentive for these "big box stores" to pay a living wage to their workers, Sen. Ken Toole's Senate Bill 272 would impose a gross proceeds tax on these companies. However, they would be exempt from the tax if they paid their employees an entry level wage of at least $22,000 a year, counting both pay and benefits and if less than half of their workers were part time.

"State taxpayers are subsidizing Wal-Mart's payroll," said Kim Abbott, lobbyist for Working for Equality and Economic Liberation, a low-income advocacy group. "It's ridiculous."

However, a number of business people opposed the tax as a selective sales tax on selected companies and one that would harm Montana's business climate reputation.

"I think it makes Montana the banana republic of the North," said Webb Brown, president of the Montana Chamber of Commerce.

http://helenair.com/articles/2005/02/16/montana_top/a01021605_02.txt

[NYC]

1. This clear statement needs to be made more often:

"State taxpayers are subsidizing Wal-Mart's payroll," said Kim Abbott, lobbyist for Working for Equality and Economic Liberation, a low-income advocacy group. "It's ridiculous."

[idiosyncratic]

2. I hope it passes . . . and it sounds like Costco and other good

companies who pay well will be exempted.

I think it is a great idea for new revenue.

[ulTRAX]

3. Great Idea... but other measures can include.......

Great Idea... but other measures can include raising the minimum wage and permitting easy unionization.

[FlavaKreemSnak]

4. States will just have to start cutting out benefit programs

Most of them are running low on money and can't afford much anyway. Wal-Mart gives them an incentive to just cut the social program budgets. Then the taxpayers won't be subsidizing Wal-Mart's payroll.

[Tux]

5. Well

Our tax money are supporting corporations. Look at tech companies that send jobs to India. If they send enough, our gov owes them money. Several, I worked for one, don't pay taxes at all when it's over but ges checks from the IRS anyways.

[Democrats_win]

6. I'd settle for a law making tax subsidies for Wal-Mart illegal.

This Wal-Mart tax should be retroactive to the year that Wal-Mart first appeared in your state.

[Clark2008]

7. Huh?

"I think it makes Montana the banana republic of the North," said Webb Brown, president of the Montana Chamber of Commerce.

I'm sorry, but doesn't the low wages and lack of health care bennies make Montana the banana republic of the North, not the business tax to keep the burdeon off the taxpayer?
I think this guy needs to go back to school and learn what a banana republic really is.

[ulTRAX]

8. I think s/he means.......

big business will avoid the state

[MSgt213]

9. Big business would never pay 22,000 a year in a Banana Republic

[Clark2008]

10. And that's bad?

Personally, I try to shop at as many Mom & Pops as I can afford. The way I figure it, I'm paying to save time: they're never as busy, you can find what you need and leave and the people get to know you and have your usuals out on the counter for you when they see you pull in.
Can't get service like that at Wally World!
;)

[GetTheRightVote]

11. My daughter agrees with you, mom & pops, great service with a smile

:kick: