Recently, Senator Jon Erpenbach(D-Middleton) has proposed Assembly Bill 746 and Senate Bill 401. If passed, these laws will add a tax of 1%(on top of the state's 5.5% standard sales tax) to the sale of all video games and video game hardware. The extra 1% of the money Wisconsin gamers spend will be used to fund a "juvenile justice program". In the state of Wisconsin, minors aged 17 who commit a crime are charged as adults, Senator Erpenback plans to use the funds from the video game tax to reform this.
Why are video games the candidate for this sin tax? There is no direct evidence that links video games to behavioral changes that result in violence. This proposal puts video games in the same boat as cigarettes(which are scientificaly linked to cancer) and alcohol(which is the direct cause of deaths related to drunk driving). If the bills supporters feel this makes their tax seem unfounded and unfair, they may choose to list it as a luxury tax. A luxury tax is a tax that is attached to items that are frivolous and unnecessary, such as expensive luxury cars, yachts, and furs, implying that the people who can afford to buy these items can also spare some extra money on taxes. Personally, I wonder why all entertainment is not being subjected to this sin or luxury tax. If violent images in video games are capable of creating violent actions, are films not guilty of the same thing? If video games are such an unnecessary item to own, then aren't cds, dvds, magazines, hell, even soda? Where is the line drawn?
So, I know now you're all wondering why you should care. The simple fact is that ideas like this are beginning to pop up everywhere! This has been discussed in Vermont, New Mexico, Texas, and probably elsewhere! What can you do to help? I urge you to let any friends and family you know in the states affected to write to their representatives in regards to this outlandish proposal. If you are affected, or worried you may be affected in the future, you might want to check out the Video Game Voters Network, where you can easily create an account, receive a list of your personal government representatives, and even send them a pre-written e-mail expressing your disgust at the idea of unfairly taxing video games.
Well im not saying raising the tax on video games specificly is right but 5.5% sales tax is pretty low as it is. Even with the 1% increase on video games you will still be getting them cheaper than people from North Carolina which have a 7.5% sales tax.
Well, there's still online right? There's no taxes on the internet if I'm remembering correctly. At least not in MN, could be in WI though : / . That's stupid either way. They need to wake the fuck up and realize it's not harmful and it's a form of entertainment for people of all ages, not just kids 7-18.
Illinois sales tax is at least 1% higher than Wisconsin's sales tax anyway. And even then, with gas prices as high as they are, a person who lives in Madison or somewhere else mid-state would not benefit from traveling to MN or IL to buy a few games at all. Even living in the southernmost suburb in the state, it takes me 30 minutes at the least to get to the nearest Illinois Gamestop(yes, in Wisconsin we measure distance in time, not miles). I'm not talking about ways to evade the taxes, though. I'm saying that imposing this extra tax on video games players is unfair. And surveys have shown that the average gamer is 33 years old. It's stupid for them to assume that video games are just a "kids thing" and it's ridiculous that game buyers are being targeted to pay to reform a law that probably doesn't even affect them.
Also, couldn't you just drive down to Chicago every so often for a "game run?" Purchasing about 5-6 games at a time?
I live one state away (MN) and that blows man. We've got some stupid charge you if ur underage bullshit, but this is by far gayer imho. Although this will take effect, I wonder if there are ways around it. Such as buying games online, whether it be from a .com or from another country perhaps (if the shipping is cheap or whatev.) or buying used games etc.
ah, you crazy Swisconsinites! Cross over the river to a real state...lol, jk. It's crazy legislation, but thankfully it won't pass...give it another generation before stuff like that starts getting through and this country turns into a nanny-state.
This is messed up but oh well I'm glad I don't live in Wisconsin where people think like this.
if the opposite of pro...is con - what is the opposite of progress?thanks for the info - sick'em ECA
most things you say..."wow that is stupid...why?" to - there is one answer :: MONEY
I don't see this as blaming games for the problem - they are just seeing a basically untapped multi-billion dollar industry & they want a piece. It is a lazy solution to problems they created.
I may be missing something but reform is a positive thing right?...just not at the expense of gaming ALONE
re·form /rɪˈfɔrm/–noun
1. the improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt, unsatisfactory, etc.: social reform; spelling reform.
4. to change to a better state, form, etc.; improve by alteration, substitution, abolition, etc.
5. to cause (a person) to abandon wrong or evil ways of life or conduct.
6. to put an end to (abuses, disorders, etc.).
I wrote about this on GameGirl.com too. Some people will try anything...sad, really. There are plenty of other ways to make money. Politicians never cease to amaze.
**muah**
I'm sure it wouldn't be passed, but I think it is ridiculous that this is even being proposed. The idea is catching on in more and more states, so it may only be a matter of time until some state's politicians agree "why not?"
1% is not a lot of money, but that's a dumb way to try to raise money. a video game tax? lmfao, who the hell voted for that guy??
wow..that sucks hardcore. Its funny how people blame other things like video games instead of their own selves.
Consider yourself lucky, in the UK we are still subject to 17.5% tax on almost everything, including consoles and video games :(
As messed up as the Sin Tax on games is, all prior legislation proposed like this, has never passed and most never make it past committee, so I wouldn't worry too much. And this will never be upheld in court, as you'd have to do this on all media.
Wow this is some douchebaggery. And you're right, if video games were to have a luxury tax added to them, then all other mediums of entertainment media should too. Music and movies aren't a necessity a person can't live without, same thing with video games. Remember, while I love the U.S. compared to other countries, this country is still run by a lot of stupid people who have authority in the wrong places. Thus, this sort of thing doesn't surprise me. The economy isn't looking too bright at the moment so politicians are going to start pointing fingers at entertainment mediums with a "why isn't that product giving us more money" attitude. But what can we do about it?
"Hi there. My name is common sense, I don't really exist anymore, so don't come looking for me in places like the government. I'm taking a vacation until someone wakes the fuck up and stops being stupid."
