Democratic Tax Cuts May Be an Election Year Gimmick, but They Are a Good Idea
As far as election year gimmicks go, this is one that should get unanimous support
To the surprise of nobody, the Democrats in the House of Delegates have unveiled an election-year tax cut package:
The top Democrats in Maryland’s House of Delegates unveiled a package of tax cuts Friday to help offset the rising costs of everyday child care and medical items such as diapers, child car seats and thermometers.
House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones framed the cuts — which will cost the state $60 million a year — as a way to help working-class families that have been hit by rising costs or squeezed during the pandemic.
“Struggling Marylanders need a break,” Jones, a Baltimore County Democrat, said Friday at an Annapolis news conference announcing the relief package.
She has promised since before the legislative session began that new programs, including any potential tax cuts, would provide relief to low-income and working families.
“As the price of basic goods continues to rise, it’s getting harder and harder for working families’ budgets to keep up,” Jones said.
The proposals would exempt the sale of diapers, baby bottles, infant car seats, certain thermometers, blood pressure monitors and other items from the state sales and use tax, effectively cutting the cost of those items by 6%. Those products would join others already exempt from the state tax, such as baby oil, baby powder and disposable medical supplies.
To which I say…..good.
Look, we all know that this package is an election year gimmick designed to say that the Democrats have cut taxes for working Marylanders. We all know what the truth really is, the Democrats have continued to push for higher and higher taxes on Marylanders across the economic spectrum. Just look at the Netflix Tax, among other things.
But just because something is a political gimmick doesn’t necessarily make it bad policy. In this case, I think the Democrats are correct. Items necessary for raising kids and protecting your health should be exempt from the sales tax, and with good reason. Those items are basic necessities for people to live.
I’ve got three kids. We buy a lot of diapers, baby wipes, and other disposable items necessary for raising kids. We have no problem affording them even with the sales tax applied. But lots of Marylanders are not so lucky. The curse of inflation and higher costs of living in Maryland thanks to Democratic tax hikes and overspending makes it hard for them to afford these basic necessities. Maybe some families will be able to afford to have more children now.
This is the most pro-life legislation from Maryland Democrats in decades.
Do the Democrats gain politically from it? Maybe, but as far as I’m concerned it just shows Marylanders how heavily they are taxed; getting pennies in return hardly makes the case Democrats think it will.
Regardless of the politics of it all, this bill should be a slam dunk. Both parties should pass it unanimously and send it to the Governor for his signature. This one is a no-brainer.
I still cringe when I hear any politician use the words "helping" and "working class families" in the same breath. A carry over from the OWE'Malley and his beLIEve campaign.