Opposing Viewpoints – Without state income tax, our sales tax on food is vital

It?s easy to get cheap applause by arguing to reduce the tax on anything. Unfortunately, when talking about making ends meet in a state budget, it?s not that simple.

It was well documented some six years ago that Tennesseans do not want a state income tax. That issue alone soured residents to then-Gov. Don Sundquist who was one of the biggest cheerleaders for a state income tax.

The outcome: People honked their horns and did just about anything to draw attention to the fact they do not want a state income tax in Tennessee. Today, it is largely considered a dead issue.

So what options does that leave the state of Tennessee for collecting revenue to run our schools, to repair our roads, and to help residents with vital services such as health care? That option is the sales tax.

While lowering taxes is certainly a popular topic, it?s not always a fiscally responsibly move. Tennessee can?t afford to cut off its main revenue source at the throat.

That?s especially true with the sales tax on food. Overall, sales tax collections are subject to great fluctuations depending on the economy. People don?t normally rush out to buy a power boat during a recession.

But food is a different story. No matter what our economic situation is in this state, people have to eat. It?s that simple. That makes the sales tax on food an extremely stable income.

To swap it out with a greater sales tax on cigarettes is complete folly. We want people to quit smoking so those sales tax dollars will hopefully dwindle.

If the state has extra money in the budget, we should enjoy it while we can. That?s a luxury we won?t always have. And it?s a luxury that will surely disappear if we try to fund vital state services on the backs of cigarette smokers. At that point what would happen if everyone quit smoking?