I’ve posted a couple links on the sidebar about New York’s new tax frenzy, but hadn’t felt compelled to dedicate a post to it until I saw this:
If the proposed budget were to be approved, New York cigar smokers would be forced to pay 50 cents per cigar. The current tax is about 34 cents.
It used to be that we could have an argument about whether there’s any justification for the tax, whether each cigar really is somehow causing 50 cents worth of external harm. But as Rogier van Bakel notes, this is just one of 137 new or increased taxes proposed by Governor David Paterson and there’s no rhyme or reason to the list. Among the other targeted products and services:
MP3s and other downloads
Haircuts, manicures, and beauty services
Movies, concerts and sporting events
Beer
Non-diet sodas
Gasoline
Clothing and shoes under $500
And many more. When the government abandons all pretense at rationale and just taxes things willy-nilly, I don’t even know how I’m supposed to respond. Luckily, New Yorkers do, and I can guess which finger they’ll be holding up to the governor this year.
[As with most cigar stories, hat tip to the Stogie Guys.]
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Jacob Grier is a freelance writer, barista, mixologist, and magician in Portland, OR. He writes, eats, and drinks a lot. His articles have appeared in The Washington Post, Reason Online, The Oregonian, and other publications.
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