October 16, 2008
Seattle Grocery Bag Tax Will Go to Voters
by Joseph Henchman
Opponents of Seattle's 20 cent tax on plastic bags have gathered enough signatures to force a public vote on the measure, probably in August 2009. The tax had passed in July and was scheduled to take effect January 1, 2009.
I'm glad this charge is being called a "tax" because that's what it is. I'm still unsure as to whether the 20 cent tax represents the actual cost to society (which is the valid justification for imposing an excise tax higher than taxes on other goods), or whether it's just an attempt to shape people's behavior in a way that politicians prefer.
Back in June, we covered two criticisms: first, that the tax is non-neutral since it only applies to grocery bags and not bags given by other retailers; and second, it amounts to a regressive tax on food that is otherwise exempt from the sales tax.
The Tax Policy Blog is the official weblog of the Tax Foundation, a non-partisan, non-profit research organization that has monitored tax policy at the federal, state and local levels since 1937. Our economists welcome your feedback. If you would like to send an e-mail to the author of a blog post, please click on that person's name to locate his or her e-mail address or visit our staff page here.
Monthly Archives
Disclaimer: All views expressed on the Tax Foundation’s Tax Policy Blog are those of the individual authors, and do not necessarily represent the views of the Tax Foundation, its Board of Directors, or its financial contributors. The Tax Foundation makes no representation concerning the views expressed, and does not guarantee the source, originality, accuracy, completeness or reliability of any statement, information, data, finding, interpretation, advice, opinion, or view presented.
