Voices of the Peninsula: Vote Yes on Proposition 1 for seasonal grocery tax relief

  • By James Price
  • Wednesday, September 30, 2015 7:34pm
  • Opinion

Proposition One is our grocery tax referendum that will GET RID OF THE SEASONAL/WINTER GROCERY TAX (September through May) in the cities of Soldotna and Seldovia, and will keep it off in Homer:

■ In 2008 VOTERS APPROVED a seasonal grocery tax exemption which removed the borough’s 3% sales tax.

■ The 2008 exemption WAS AUTHORIZED TO ALSO REMOVE THE CITIES’ GROCERY TAX during the winter. HOWEVER, just 3 weeks before the 2008 election, the Borough Assembly approved Ordinance 2008-28 which authorized the general law cities TO CONTINUE TO TAX YOUR GROCERIES ANYWAY, thereby DISENFRANCHISING THE WILL OF THE VOTERS

■ Proposition One WILL UPHOLD the other half of the 2008 voter approved grocery tax exemption by REPEALING Ordinance 2008-28 and will REMOVE THE BOROUGH’S AUTHORIZATION for general law cities to continue to tax your winter groceries.

Proposition One is designed to provide direct tax relief for residents at minimum cost to local government:

■ The city of Soldotna’s total revenue has increased by over $1,680,000 from FY2013 to FY2014, according to their latest financial report. That’s about twice the amount they take from residents through Borough Ordinance 2008-28, that authorized them to ignore the 2008 voter approved initiative. SOLDOTNA ALREADY HAS ADEQUATE REVENUE!

■ Homer currently does not tax food in the winter, BUT has passed an ordinance to tax some food items beginning in January… UNLESS Proposition One passes.

■ The tax that we seek to repeal is NOT for education and NOT for general borough use.

■ Our Borough has operated without additional tax increases since 2008, when our Boroughwide grocery tax exemption was approved by the voters. Both borough and municipal sales tax revenues are currently at an all-time high.

■ This will put Borough merchants on a level playing field with the sales tax-free policy of our Anchorage neighbors by eliminating grocery tax for nine months of each year.

Proposition One will reduce the tax burden for all local, year-round residents:

■ Proposition One will help everyone, including local families and those on fixed incomes, including the elderly.

■ Food is a basic necessity of life. Proposition One reflects our values and will help us build a stronger community.

Why Now?

■ We have been forced to wait several years for this election because the Borough Clerk refused to certify our original referendum application. The Alaska Supreme Court forced the Borough to accept our referendum application after years of litigation in the state court system.

■ The Supreme Court decision granted YOU the right to decide. A YES vote will force the general law cities to follow the 2008 voter approved seasonal grocery tax exemption.

Please Vote YES on Proposition One, at the October 6th Borough Election.

— Submitted by James Price,
Alaskans for Grocery Tax Relief Now

More in Opinion

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Point of View: Some state lawmakers need to embrace reality, not PFD political theater

State revenues minus public services do not leave enough in the checkbook to pay an oversized dividend

Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, speaks about teacher bonuses during consideration a bill increasing state funds for public education in the Alaska House of Representatives on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Ben Carpenter: Holding up a mirror to state government

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks in opposition to an executive order that would abolish the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives during a joint legislative session on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman: Ensuring food security for Alaska

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks in support of a bill increasing state funds for public education in the Alaska House of Representatives on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge: Executive orders and spring forecast

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Sarah Vance (Photo provided)
Opinion: Strengthening Alaska Grand Juries

Upholding constitutional intent for transparency and accountability

Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, speaks Thursday, April 27, 2023, at a news conference in Juneau. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Rep. Ben Carpenter: Why reform for the grand jury matters

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, listens to testimony during a Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee hearing on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman: Leveling the health care playing field

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks Monday, May 8, 2023, on the floor of the Alaska House. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge: Another big week for education

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, speaks about teacher bonuses during consideration a bill increasing state funds for public education in the Alaska House of Representatives on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Ben Carpenter: Supporting better outcomes in education

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Most Read