MA: Mideast Foster Care Reform Act of 2014 (Vetoed)

[Franzl]

I will vote in favor of this proposal. Now that the wording has been cleared up, I think this is a worthwhile effort to improve the lives of many children.

[Potus]

I will vote in favor of this proposal. Now that the wording has been cleared up, I think this is a worthwhile effort to improve the lives of many children.

Your support is much-appreciated. We're going to make a difference.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

You had my backing from the word go on this Riley.

[TJ in Oregon]

This also has my support.

[Potus]

Thank you, TJ.

How does the Speaker feel?

[Njall]

I'm not the speaker, but I'll be supporting this now as well.

[Potus]

I'm not the speaker, but I'll be supporting this now as well.

Excellent. I appreciate it. That's a majority, I think.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

I'd like to see clauses 10 and 11 removed.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

I'd like to see clauses 10 and 11 removed.

Why do want to see those clauses removed?

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

I'd like to see clauses 10 and 11 removed.

Why do want to see those clauses removed?

I see no reason to raise those taxes, and certainly not if all of the revenue from the raise will go toward the foster program.

[Potus]

I'd like to see clauses 10 and 11 removed.

The reason I'm using sin taxes for revenue is because, in an indirect way, it's a usage tax. Alcoholism has a lot to do with standard child abuse. Marijuana will more than likely contribute to higher levels of neglect. Addiction is bad for families.

If you have problems with funding the trust with that money, I would be open to exploring options of changing the percentage kept in foster care. However, I'm not a fan of leaving the trust underfunded because this body decided sales tax cuts were a good idea. This is a good law and should be passed as written.

[Franzl]

I'm fine with clauses 10 and 11. Going to 1.02 of our current alcohol tax won't cause any problems and there are certainly worse uses for the money.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

I'm fine with clauses 10 and 11. Going to 1.02 of our current alcohol tax won't cause any problems and there are certainly worse uses for the money.

I'm assuming he means raising the tax to 2% above what it currently is (i.e. 30% to 32%, not 30.6%).

[Potus]

I'm fine with clauses 10 and 11. Going to 1.02 of our current alcohol tax won't cause any problems and there are certainly worse uses for the money.

I'm assuming he means raising the tax to 2% above what it currently is (i.e. 30% to 32%, not 30.6%).

Yes, two *per*cent versus two cents. 15% of the revenue will go into the budget. It's not life we're leaving the budget without any aid in the bill.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

I'm fine with clauses 10 and 11. Going to 1.02 of our current alcohol tax won't cause any problems and there are certainly worse uses for the money.

I'm assuming he means raising the tax to 2% above what it currently is (i.e. 30% to 32%, not 30.6%).

Yes, two *per*cent versus two cents. 15% of the revenue will go into the budget. It's not life we're leaving the budget without any aid in the bill.

OK, no now even I'm confused about what you mean.  What level do you want to raise the taxes to?

[Potus]

I'm fine with clauses 10 and 11. Going to 1.02 of our current alcohol tax won't cause any problems and there are certainly worse uses for the money.

I'm assuming he means raising the tax to 2% above what it currently is (i.e. 30% to 32%, not 30.6%).

Yes, two *per*cent versus two cents. 15% of the revenue will go into the budget. It's not life we're leaving the budget without any aid in the bill.

OK, no now even I'm confused about what you mean.  What level do you want to raise the taxes to?

From 30% to 32%. Raising the taxes by 2%.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

And why should only 85% go toward foster care?

[Potus]

And why should only 85% go toward foster care?

I don't think the trust will need all the money. It's a very large sum of money, and as it's been noted we're looking at a tight budget. It'll take care of the needs of foster care and also pad the budget.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Alcohol is also not taxed by percentage, so at what level would you like that to be taxed?

[Potus]

Alcohol is also not taxed by percentage, so at what level would you like that to be taxed?

Increase the rate by 2%. Meaning if it's a $2 tax, the increase is 4 cents. If it's a 50 cent tax, the increase is 1 cent.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Alcohol is also not taxed by percentage, so at what level would you like that to be taxed?

Increase the rate by 2%. Meaning if it's a $2 tax, the increase is 4 cents. If it's a 50 cent tax, the increase is 1 cent.

OK, but that's not what you said for marijuana.  For marijuana, you wanted it increased by adding 2% to the current value, not increasing it to 102% of its current value.

This is why I don't like doing tax changes outside of the budget.

You need to lay out what level you want all the taxes to be at.

[Potus]

Alcohol is also not taxed by percentage, so at what level would you like that to be taxed?

Increase the rate by 2%. Meaning if it's a $2 tax, the increase is 4 cents. If it's a 50 cent tax, the increase is 1 cent.

OK, but that's not what you said for marijuana.  For marijuana, you wanted it increased by adding 2% to the current value, not increasing it to 102% of its current value.

This is why I don't like doing tax changes outside of the budget.

You need to lay out what level you want all the taxes to be at.

Here we go:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

There. All cleared up.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

So you want the marijuana tax set to 30.6%, correct?

[Potus]

So you want the marijuana tax set to 30.6%, correct?

No. The rate is being raised by 2% not the taxes owed.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Yes, that would be raising it by 2%.  Look, I don't think you're understanding what I'm saying, so just write out what number you want the tax rates to be at.