Democrats propose internet tax bill

by Chief Capitol Correspondent Mark Davis
Posted Apr. 16, 2007
4:20 PM

(Hartford-WTNH) _ The Democrat\'s new plan calls for extending the 6% sales tax to all purchases on the internet. In order to do that, lawmakers will have to eliminate the exemption for clothing that costs less than $50.

Currently, when you buy an article of clothing that costs less than $50 in the state of Connecticut, it is tax free. It is a long-standing exemption aimed at helping people pay for the necessities.

"The clothing exemption would be eliminated and Mr. and Mrs. Connecticut will end up paying an additional $135-million in taxes on their clothing. It\'s a bad idea," said Senator William Nickerson.

Today the Finance Committee gives final approval to the Democrats tax plan that eliminates that exemption. They are doing it so they can tax your purchases on the internet. In order to join other states in collecting sales tax on internet purchases, the tax has to be on every dollar. Otherwise the state can not participate and will miss out on an estimated $500-million a year in sales tax revenue.

Governor Rell says it is not worth it to lose the $50-exemption.

"You\'re talking about a tax on the middle class," said Rell.

The Democrats on this committee feel their tax cuts will more than offset the loss of the $50-clothing exemption.

"We really have to do that to be part of the compact, and we think if we provide relief through another tax mechanism then the burden of paying tax on that first $50 of clothing won\'t be felt," said State Representative Cameron Staples.

In addition to the internet tax, the Democrat\'s plan also would hike the cigarette tax another 49-cents a pack.

this better not happen. :mad:

Shade tobacco

It is not well known that the northern US states of Connecticut and Massachusetts are also one of the important tobacco-growing regions of the country. Long before Europeans arrived in the area, Native Americans harvested wild tobacco plants that grew along the banks of the Connecticut River. Today, the Connecticut River valley north of Hartford, Connecticut is known as Tobacco Valley, and the fields and drying sheds are visible to travelers on the road to and from Bradley Field, the major Connecticut airport. The tobacco grown here is known as shade tobacco, and is used as outer wrappers for some of the world\'s finest cigars.

Quote from: Stephengencs;142421

Good luck quitting smoking robyn......

Yeah, well...our attempt isn\'t going to be until June.