Lt. Governor Peter Kinder said he would have been “skeptical†if he were a member of Congress when the stimulus package was pushed through, but rather than question the bill that will send between $600 and $1200 to eligible households this summer he’s decided to embrace the measure.
“If were going to have this means of stimulus let’s make the most of it,†Kinder said during a conference call Wednesday with bloggers.
Kinder is supporting House Bill 2250 which would create a one-time-only sales tax holiday June 27 through June 29. He saw it as the best way to encourage people to shop by getting a break on their sales taxes.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mike Sutherland, also includes the proposed Show-Me Green Tax Holiday Act. Citizens would receive a sales tax exemption on energy efficient products costing $1,500 or less during a seven-day period once a year. Exempt products including those that meet or exceed federal Energy Star Program requirements.
Kinder said he’s met some resistance to the bill from the Missouri Municipal League, which usually fights tax abatements. Kinder said they should “stop being the scrooges†and “get with the program.†But he also said if it took adding an opt-out clause to pass the bill he’d acquiesce.
While Kinder admitted formulating economic policies were “above my pay grade”, he said he was very interested in a plan to deal with the dollar’s falling value.
“I happen to believe that mailing a check in these relatively small amounts across the countryside is not an effective stimulus,” Kinder said. “The falling dollar is what’s leading to $110 barrel oil.”
After briefly considering a run for governor, Kinder is seeking re-election this year. Democrat Sam Page will likely be his opponent in November.
March 19th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Thanks for joining us on the call Danielle!
David
March 19th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
This is a great idea. I can’t believe that there is any opposition to this. I guess the union thugs that support Sam Page have a different view. Of course they’re out to just soak the very people that put food on their table. What a bunch of idiots. Go Kinder!
March 19th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
I forgot to add that I do appreciate the Pub Def for a good article.
March 19th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
I never agree with Pub Def on anything, but it did do an excellent job of presenting this information and letting us make up our minds about the proposal. I’m a Democrat, but I think Kinder maybe on to something here. I mean, who would not support giving our working families a break like this? I think the Democrats are right on most issues, but get real, it looks like they’re picking a fight with Kinder over nothing.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Wow, no state sales tax for a weekend… lets see $25.35 (Missour sales tax for $600) in 1 persons pocket or 65,910,000 (2.9 million people) to colectivly spend on helthcare or education?
March 20th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Yeah, get with the program people! SPEND THAT
MONEY!
Or…pay down your personal debt and cut up the f’ing credit cards. The best thing about this proposal is the energy efficiency proposal…spending for the sake of “stimulating the economy” is, at best, a temporary band-aid on a festering wound.