http://wcco.com/water/watercooler_story_070085756.html
Florida Toilet Paper Tax Proposed
Mar 11, 2005 7:55 am US/Central
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) The Florida Legislature is flush with good ideas. Sen. Al Lawson’s latest involves a way to pay for wastewater treatment and help small towns and counties upgrade their sewer systems.
The Democrat from Tallahassee is proposing a 2-cent-per-roll tax on toilet paper.
“We’ve got 17 million people in this state and all of them can contribute to protecting our underground water supply,†he said.
In a Republican-dominated Legislature that doesn’t like new taxes, the idea could end up in the tank pretty quickly.
Senate President Tom Lee said he didn’t think it would get too far, but didn’t rule it out. “We’ll be getting to the bottom of it real soon,†he said.
Lawson’s been enduring plenty of jokes—bathroom humor, you might say—but he says it’s a serious issue.
Even if the proposal passes the Legislature, it would need approval from Gov. Jeb Bush. The president’s brother said if toilet paper is taxed, people might use less of it.
“That’s not necessarily a good thing,†he said.
http://www.nbc6.net/politics/4275476/detail.html
tate Sen. Al Lawson is proposing a 2-cent tax on each roll of toilet paper sold in Florida. He says the tax would raise $30 million a year.
The money would go toward building new sewage systems around the state, especially in rural areas.
Despite the numerous jokes spawned by Lawson’s’ bill, he insists it’s a serious issue.
The senator says too many small towns have problems with their sewer systems and as a result, wastewater is seeping into Florida’s water supply.
House Speaker Allan Bensen says he hasn’t seen the bill yet, but that “it sounds kind of crappy.” On a more serious note, he says the House isn’t too big on tax increases.
Senate leader Tom Lee says he doesn’t think the proposal will go very far. He also couldn’t resist getting a couple of puns in.
“Senate staffers are sniffing it out and will be getting to the bottom of it real soon,” he said.
Edited 3/11/2005 1:04 pm ET by Bill Hartmann