That means you pay taxes on baby formula, but not calf formula. The deck is stacked against changing these inequities. To raise property taxes, a city or county would have to get a bill passed by the Legislature and then hold a special election. Conversely, raising sales taxes only requires a vote of the city council. Is there any doubt why sales taxes, which hurt only poor people more, are too high, while property taxes, which are fairer, are rock-bottom low.
Sales taxes are seven times as hard on poor people as they are on the rich.
It's been nearly a decade since the series on taxes ran on the editorial pages of The News . Sadly, nothing has been done since. When Don Siegelman was elected governor last November, many people were optimistic that he could be the governor to lead Alabama into a new age. What we've seen so far dashes those hopes. Siegelman earned high marks for appointing smart, competent people to his Cabinet.