Lawmakers get earful about proposed tax hikes
TACOMA, Wash. -- State lawmakers are getting an earful about the effects of their proposed taxes on things like candy, bottled water, janitorial services, and elective plastic surgery.
One business that says they will really be affected is Tacoma's Brown and Haley, who makes Almond Roca candy. Under the two of three tax plans under consideration at the Legislature, candy could see a sales tax.
For nearly a hundred years, Brown and Haley has been kicking out the Buttercrunch Toffee candies and other goodies which have been available to you without a sales tax. But soon a box that currently goes for $54.95 would jump $5.22 if the state puts a 9.5 percent sales tax on candy.
The company claims the candy is really a food item and thus not taxable.
Brown and Haley employees 250 at its plant and retail locations -- positions they say will be in jeopardy if the tax passes.
"That we feel it might hurt our jobs let alone our business," said employee William Young.
A long line of people were at the capitol Tuesday to testify against the House tax plans, which include soda pop, bottled water and janitorial services.
"Being a small business owner, the smaller you are the harder it is," said Trudy Snyder, who owns a home cleaning service in Vancouver. She says the sales tax will just be shoved right back at her.
"When push comes to shove, we would lose our customers, which in turns loses jobs and eventually more revenue for our state," she said.
Lawmakers heard from plastic surgeons who say it'll only hurt their clients, as facelifts and other elective surgery would be taxed.
"This is a discriminatory tax against working women," said Dr. William Portuese, a plastic surgeon.
But the crowd was split evenly with those who favor the tax hikes to pay for social services and education.
The plan includes a dollar increase in a pack of cigarettes.
"Want to thank you for the tobacco tax increase and increase on all other tobacco products," said Lucy Culp with the American Heart Association. "This is a great win for public health."
Doug Nelson with the Public School Employee Association added: "We just want to go on the record and say we applaud you in this effort."
The House plan is more in line with what the governor wants, but the Senate has called for an across the board sales tax hike. The two houses will have to reach a compromise, but one thing is clear: There will be new taxes.
One business that says they will really be affected is Tacoma's Brown and Haley, who makes Almond Roca candy. Under the two of three tax plans under consideration at the Legislature, candy could see a sales tax.
For nearly a hundred years, Brown and Haley has been kicking out the Buttercrunch Toffee candies and other goodies which have been available to you without a sales tax. But soon a box that currently goes for $54.95 would jump $5.22 if the state puts a 9.5 percent sales tax on candy.
The company claims the candy is really a food item and thus not taxable.
Brown and Haley employees 250 at its plant and retail locations -- positions they say will be in jeopardy if the tax passes.
"That we feel it might hurt our jobs let alone our business," said employee William Young.
A long line of people were at the capitol Tuesday to testify against the House tax plans, which include soda pop, bottled water and janitorial services.
"Being a small business owner, the smaller you are the harder it is," said Trudy Snyder, who owns a home cleaning service in Vancouver. She says the sales tax will just be shoved right back at her.
"When push comes to shove, we would lose our customers, which in turns loses jobs and eventually more revenue for our state," she said.
Lawmakers heard from plastic surgeons who say it'll only hurt their clients, as facelifts and other elective surgery would be taxed.
"This is a discriminatory tax against working women," said Dr. William Portuese, a plastic surgeon.
But the crowd was split evenly with those who favor the tax hikes to pay for social services and education.
The plan includes a dollar increase in a pack of cigarettes.
"Want to thank you for the tobacco tax increase and increase on all other tobacco products," said Lucy Culp with the American Heart Association. "This is a great win for public health."
Doug Nelson with the Public School Employee Association added: "We just want to go on the record and say we applaud you in this effort."
The House plan is more in line with what the governor wants, but the Senate has called for an across the board sales tax hike. The two houses will have to reach a compromise, but one thing is clear: There will be new taxes.