Action Request - House Amendment Would End Sales Tax Exemptions





An amendment before the House Revenue Committee would end all sales tax exemptions, including those on agricultural inputs, by Dec. 31, 2012.



House Amendment 1, which would amend SB 4, would end the sales tax exemptions on farm equipment, feed, seed, and fertilizer. The amendment was not called for a vote last week.



We need to let our state representatives know the importance of the agricultural sales tax incentives. We are encouraging everyone impacted to take action and call 1- 877-422-8424, ask to be transferred to their state representative, and ask them to not adopt the amendment, said Philip Nelson, president of the Illinois Farm Bureau.



We realize that the state is still attempting to balance the budget, but removing these tax incentives would strengthen the feeling that this state is not a good place to do business, especially in the current economy, Nelson continued.



Agriculture is the largest industry in the state and a cornerstone of the states economy. The message the state needs to send is that we want it to grow in Illinois, Nelson added.



This is a fight we fought several years ago, Nelson said. Without this exemption, Illinois agriculture will be less competitive because other neighboring states have the exemption for agriculture.



It is clear why IFB opposes this amendment, and we will continue working with the sponsor, the members of the House Revenue Committee, and all the members of the General Assembly on why they shouldnt adopt this amendment, Nelson said.



The Revenue Committee is scheduled for its next hearing at 8:30 a.m. Thursday in the State Capitol. House Amendment 1 to SB 4 could be called for a vote then.



In other legislative news, IFB opposes HB 1886, sponsored by Rep. Robert Rita (D-Blue Island), which proposes a special election in each county to elect a single countywide school board.



The bill also would dissolve each districts school board, except the Chicago Board of Education. Each county would form one school district. IFB believes school consolidation must be done on a voluntary basis.



IFB also opposes HB 1249, sponsored by Rep. Deborah Mell (D-Chicago), which proposes all foods containing genetically engineered material or produced with genetically engineered material be clearly marked with a label in a conspicuous place. - Kay Shipman