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Sneaker tax? Illinois considers a 25-cent charge
STL TODAY
SPRINGFIELD— The cost of a new pair of basketball shoes could jump by 25 cents under a proposal floated this week by an Illinois lawmaker.
State Rep. Will Davis, D-Hazel Crest, wants to create a new tax that would generate an estimated $3 million annually for a youth job preparation program. He said the added cost would likely go unnoticed by most consumers, while helping finance a program for kids during tight budget times.
“Everywhere, funding is challenged,”Davis said. “I see it as a uniquely creative way of helping youth.”
Under the proposal, consumers buying any kind of athletic shoe would pay an extra 25 cents. Proceeds from the new tax would be earmarked for the state’s YouthBuild programs
There are a handful of YouthBuild programs throughout Illinois. In McLean County, for example, YouthBuild participants can learn basic construction skills while they build homes for low-income residents.
Davis said he decided an athletic shoe tax would be a good fit for the YouthBuild program because younger Illinoisans are major consumers of shoes.
“Who wears athletic shoes the most? It’s probably kids,” he said.
The proposal, however, is no slam dunk.
Rob Karr, senior vice president of Illinois Retail Merchants Association, said the organization will fight the proposal because it would create an unnecessary amount of additional paperwork for store owners.
“It imposes significant administrative burdens on the retailer,” Karr said.
reddecaesari
February 5th, 2013
between this tax and planned parenthood, liberals love stupid.
Boobie the Rocket Dog
February 5th, 2013
No place in Illinois is more than a two-hour drive from an out-of-state WAL-MART, and you were planning a trip in that direction next weekend anyway, RIGHT?
BILL
February 5th, 2013
isn’t a sneaker tax racist?
thirdtwin
February 5th, 2013
It’s true. When Dontavious buys his $300 noo shoos with an EBT, he won’t notice. When Zerell shoots Dontavious and takes his shoes Zerell won’t notice. When H’akeem Shoplifts his $200 Nikes, he won’t notice.
When I buy my $19.99 Walmart flatfoots, I will damn sure notice.
old_oaks
February 5th, 2013
All the more reason to use brick and mortar establishments to try stuff on before ordering online.
There’s been many times where I needed something like a router or a hard drive and found myself at Best Buy placing an order on my cell phone.
BILL
February 5th, 2013
are sneakers stolen from other people taxed?
a lot of sneaker stealin going on.
Grace_ia
February 5th, 2013
As if any tax actually paid exactly for the purpose it was proposed! They are always put in the general fund and parsed out for whatever “important” use the bureaucrats decide, and so government grows and grows. Talk about waste and duplication.
Dadof3
February 5th, 2013
They’ve been trying sneakier and sneakier taxes all the time.
serfer62
February 5th, 2013
TAXES!!!
Is that all the Goddamn Kommiecrats ever think about????
aleon
February 5th, 2013
NEWS FLASH: Chicago reports increased gun violence over sneaker tax. Reports are coming in of people being shot for their Nikes. Rahm Emanuel has called for all south side residents to go barefoot.
Unneutral
February 5th, 2013
Democrats have a real fetish about increasing taxes and their non-stop pushing stinks worse than a sweaty sneaker.
persecutor
February 5th, 2013
Stop your racist bellyaching.. it’s for the chilluns!
Stranded in Sonoma
February 5th, 2013
Only 25 cents? What difference at this point does it make?
Corky
February 5th, 2013
Let me get this straight–one buys shoes with an EBT card so they bought them with our money so the extra 25 cents is paid by us. Now they use this money to pay the same yoots to build houses that they themselves will live in–all on our dime (or quarter). Is that right?
Ted Nougat
February 5th, 2013
When the Left determines an activity or product is dangerous or harmful and wishes for it to CEASE, they levy a Tax(Fine)on the activity or product: Carbon Emissions, Tobacco, etc.
Yet, they believe that through the same method of raising Taxes (Fines) on certain activities and products, like hard-working, productive, job-creating, “rich” Americans, and now Sneakers – prosperity will be the end result.
Being a Liberal means never having to think beyond your good intentions.
hanoverfist
February 5th, 2013
Can we tax the border sneakers?
thirdtwin
February 5th, 2013
@hanoverfist…
Sure. We can tax ‘em when they stop to fill up at the Federal status stations.
theJadedBarell
February 5th, 2013
VAT Tax, one product at a time!