| Mar 5, 2006 @ 8:53 PM |
lower taxes or a raised minimum wage?
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exiled131
Posts: 1,808
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there is currently a struggle in the legislature here in west virginia about what benefits a family more- lowering the sales tax on food(and eventually clothing) or raising the minimum wage. what are the views of the taxpayers? they never ask that i am wondering what others think of this.
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| Mar 5, 2006 @ 9:00 PM |
lower taxes or a raised minimum wage? |
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spongebob777
Posts: 7,904
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I would drop the tax on food first, then consider small increases in the minimum wage.
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| Mar 5, 2006 @ 9:05 PM |
lower taxes or a raised minimum wage?
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SunBabe
Posts: 12,279
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When I lived in Connecticut, there was no sales tax on food (except junk-food snacks) or clothing for children under a certain age (although since then, kids grew huge and started wearing adult sizes) tho I recall them changing it to clothing under a certain dollar amount. There was also no state income tax, but a back-stabbing govenor changed that 'benefit' ~sigh~ while not cutting the sales tax all that much.
Frankly, raising the minimum wage MIGHT help, but for those who already earn a few cents over that, it doesn't seem like there'd be much overall benefit to them. I honestly don't believe that "necessities" in life should be taxable...basic clothing, basic food, basic medicine, basic services. Anything above and beyond is an "option".
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| Mar 5, 2006 @ 9:10 PM |
lower taxes or a raised minimum wage? |
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exiled131
Posts: 1,808
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i say get rid of the food tax altogether and cut the clothing sales tax. there should be a maximum that a piece of clothing would cost before a tax would be charged. a pair of pants at walmart- no tax. a pair of $200 nikes- tax, maybe even raise it a little and call it a luxory tax.
this state has loopholes that will never be fixed when it comes to labor( the corporations love that) and raising the minimum wage here would look benefitial but would reduce the number of full time jobs. alot of them would be cut back to the 28 hour mark in a week to save companies from having to pay more in benefits.
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| Mar 5, 2006 @ 9:14 PM |
lower taxes or a raised minimum wage?
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spongebob777
Posts: 7,904
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raising the minimum wage here would look benefitial but would reduce the number of full time jobs.
That's why I would start with the taxes and see what happens before going nuts and raising the MW.
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| Mar 5, 2006 @ 9:27 PM |
lower taxes or a raised minimum wage? |
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DestinyAngel49
Posts: 516
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I live in West Virginia, also.
I agree with Exiled... On the food and clothing taxes.
I am on SS at this time, so I am not in the work-force.
However my children and in-laws are.
My daughter has already been going thru this problem. Her
hours were cut, so they didn't have to pay benefits.
I've been watching so many people struggle...
paycheck to paycheck.....
I hope something gets done here! 
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| Mar 5, 2006 @ 9:28 PM |
lower taxes or a raised minimum wage?
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RAKS37
Posts: 617
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Most places seem to run very understaffed these days.
And if they can get away with it part time / no benefits.
So don't know if ^ raise = v staff with how threadbare things are getting.
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| Mar 5, 2006 @ 9:31 PM |
lower taxes or a raised minimum wage? |
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Jankia
Posts: 11,906
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The sales tax on food should be abolished for low income people.
Anyone earning less than $20,000 or collecting social security should be given a sales tax waiver.
[Edited on 3/5/2006 9:33 PM]
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| Mar 5, 2006 @ 9:32 PM |
lower taxes or a raised minimum wage?
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exiled131
Posts: 1,808
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it isn't a matter of understaffing. the companies would hire more people, but still get away without paying the benefits. the government would love the rise in employment too- although these people would have to work two jobs to make the income of the one full time position they had before.
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| Mar 5, 2006 @ 9:47 PM |
lower taxes or a raised minimum wage? |
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DestinyAngel49
Posts: 516
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My daughter worked 2 jobs...
At the time she was on her own, a 4 yr. old son at home,
Rent.. Utilities.. Car payment.. Groceries, ect...
What makes it hard is when the employers won't work with
you on the schedules to be able to work both jobs!! 
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| Mar 5, 2006 @ 9:51 PM |
lower taxes or a raised minimum wage?
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exiled131
Posts: 1,808
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i created a term years ago for the whole west virginia problem. it is "user state" simply put, the state is nothing more than a resource for corporations to exploit the workers. it goes back to the coal mines in the past where you got paid in script and it was only good at the company store. for some employers, you owe your soul to your employer. they can tell you what to do with your life and all you get is a wee little paycheck.
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| Mar 5, 2006 @ 10:01 PM |
lower taxes or a raised minimum wage? |
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SunBabe
Posts: 12,279
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The sales tax on food should be abolished for low income people.
Anyone earning less than $20,000 or collecting social security should be given a sales tax waiver.
~grin~ So do you consider under $20K "low income"? The US government considers it to be about $8000/year for a single person. I won't even make that when I start collecting Social Security in a few years. ~shudder~ ...which is why I'm practicing not eating already, to get used to it. 
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| Mar 5, 2006 @ 10:09 PM |
lower taxes or a raised minimum wage?
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exiled131
Posts: 1,808
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eight thousand? no, those numbers seem a tad off. you can't count the deduction on the income tax for that number. the right number for the poverty mark is probably around twelve thousand for a single person.
well, we were both wrong. it is $9,570.
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| Mar 5, 2006 @ 10:12 PM |
lower taxes or a raised minimum wage? |
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Jankia
Posts: 11,906
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Yes,I certainly do SunBabe.
When gas costs $3, rent of a one room apartment is $400 and health insurance is unaffordable so when the hospital finds out you dont have any they can refuse anything except an emergency.
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| Mar 5, 2006 @ 10:14 PM |
lower taxes or a raised minimum wage?
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exiled131
Posts: 1,808
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my medical plan- if i go, it is directly to the emergency room. it takes a lot for me to even think about going there though.
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| Mar 5, 2006 @ 10:17 PM |
lower taxes or a raised minimum wage? |
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GuruFromDaNorthPole
Posts: 13
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You have a tax on food?
The REAL solution is to have programs for people on minimum wage to get a better education. No matter what the minimum wage is, it's always VERY difficult to live on.
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| Mar 5, 2006 @ 10:19 PM |
lower taxes or a raised minimum wage?
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sapphirerose
Posts: 36
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When gas costs $3, rent of a one room apartment is $400
$400!!! Where is this? In So. California a one-bedroom runs $1200-1600 a month!
I say lower taxes...raising the minimum wage won't help the non-working, fixed income group
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| Mar 5, 2006 @ 10:22 PM |
lower taxes or a raised minimum wage? |
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exiled131
Posts: 1,808
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education means nothing here past high school. that is why the state losses many of it's youth to states such as north carolina and georgia. and that is if you can get into a west virginia college or university. they are for the flunkies from new jersey and maryland.
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| Mar 5, 2006 @ 10:35 PM |
lower taxes or a raised minimum wage?
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DestinyAngel49
Posts: 516
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Exiled.....
HOW TRUE!!!!!
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| Mar 5, 2006 @ 10:41 PM |
lower taxes or a raised minimum wage? |
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Jankia
Posts: 11,906
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$400!!! Where is this? In So. California a one-bedroom runs $1200-1600 a month!
Wisconsin.Thats not just a one-bedroom,thats just one room,no bath,no kitchen.
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