Alaska Municipal League prefers income to sales tax
Timothy Inklebarger reports on this week's joint meetings of the Alaska Municipal League and the Alaska Conference of Mayors in today's Juneau Empire, here: JuneauEmpire.com: State & Regional: Cities to push income tax 07/25/03
Alaska has to do something, as its financial reserves dwindle year by year. The legislature almost adopted a sales tax this past Spring. But the League would prefer an income tax. A state sales tax would compete with city and town sales taxes. Kevin Ritchie, the League's executive director pointed out that revenues from an income tax would come from non-residents to a greater extent - both because of payments by out-of-state workers, and because of Federal tax deductions.
Inklebarger quotes Governor Murkowski's aide John Manly, who says the Governor favors a sales tax solution and would likely veto an income tax.
- "Murkowski spokesman John Manly said the governor has made it clear that he does not and will not support an income tax on philosophical grounds.
"You are taking away money that one person earned to provide services that another person thinks they need," Manly said, noting that Murkowski likely would veto an income tax bill if one passed the Legislature.
"It's an old debate that centers around class warfare," Manly said. "They think rich people shouldn't be able to get rich. ... If they think that's progressive, I guess I don't." "
Comments