Texas law MIGHT create 50% tax on "violent" games.

[nefaquotek]

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3147454

Basically in March, people will vote whether "violent" video games, abortions and soda drinks (I know..... they have so much in common) have a 50% sales tax.

I will definetly be voting against this horrendous law AND I hope every cheap ass gamer in Texas of voting age will be too.

[shipwreck]

I can't access the article from work, but does it define how they will determine what is "violent"?

[nefaquotek]

"He stated that games would be deemed "violent" by a 10-member committee, and taxes would "be levied swiftly" against game publishers." -1up.com

[wubb]

I predict a lot of TX gamers will be buying their games on eBay if that passes.

[electrictroy]

Ahh the old "sin" tax. "We can't outlaw behavior we don't like, so we'll just rape your wallet."

So anti-liberty.

[Dr Mario Kart]

well...if they COULD get property taxes out, I could live with that. But otherwise, yea. Looks like I'm gonna have to like...vote now or something.

[shipwreck]

Okay, probably another thing answered in the article, but are all three of these issues on the same Bill or are they separate. That 50% tax on soft drinks has 0% chance of passing, that's why I'm asking.

[dratsacras]

Actually, that was just a "sin tax" proposal by a fringe candidate for Governor, and has about a 0.0% chance of actually becoming a law. And even if it did, so what? It'd get struck down the first time it was challenged in a court.
http://gamepolitics.livejournal.com/183912.html

[sonderiaom]

Locke, according to The Amarillo Globe News (http://amarillo.com/login.shtml?orq:http://www.amarillo.com/stories/012406/new_3796175.shtml), wants "to do away with property taxes statewide" while taxing "violent games" and a myriad of other things (i.e. abortions and soft drinks) a whopping 50%. He sees these taxes as "the power to destroy. So our concept is that we need to tax things we don't want and you want to not tax things you want to encourage."


This part is what bothers me. Basically they're going to take the property tax and make people pay for it through things that they don't like. There are so many things wrong with this I hope it doesn't pass at all. Though knowing how most of the voting community is usually older people, ones who don't usually drink 'soda', have abortions much or buy the occasional 'violent' video game, it'll probably go through.

[ryanbph]

50% is a steep increase in tax on these items. How much is an abortion couple hundred to $1k...that could be a $500 tax if they cost $1000, and $90 games if you consider xbox 360 games are $60.

[YoshiFan1]

I understand the reasoning for taxing games and abortions (not that I agree with taxing either of them, I'm just saying I understand why people would suggest it because some people in society deem both bad), but what's the reasoning for soda? Is it because it's unhealthy? If so, what's next, a fast food and candy bar tax?

[nefaquotek]

Okay, probably another thing answered in the article, but are all three of these issues on the same Bill or are they separate. That 50% tax on soft drinks has 0% chance of passing, that's why I'm asking.

It actually doesn't say. I can't access the Amarillo news thing so I can't say.

[sonderiaom]

Using a dummy account, here's the article direct from Amarillo
Gubernatorial candidate seeks support




By Jim McBride
jim.mcbride@amarillo.com

ARTICLE TOOLS
E-mail E-mail This Article

A Republican gubernatorial candidate said Monday he wants to scrap Texas' property tax system and would institute taxes on abortion providers, violent video games and soft drinks instead to fund state government.

Star Locke, a Republican rancher and builder from Corpus Christi, said Monday he's been touring the state, trying to drum up support for his campaign. Locke said rising property taxes are hitting landowners across the state and he's concerned about government taking away private property from landowners for other uses.

"One of my legislative proposals is to do away with property taxes statewide," Locke said during a stop in Amarillo.

Locke said he favors instituting a $10,000 per-abortion tax on abortion service providers, a 50-percent tax on violent video games and a 10-percent tax on soft drinks with added sugar to fund state government.

"I take the position that the Founding Fathers took: that the power to tax is the power to destroy," he said. "So our concept is that we need to tax things we don't want and you want to not tax things that you want to encourage."

Locke said he would create a 10-member statewide board that would determine which video games are violent and levy taxes against game manufacturers. The same board, he said, would decide which companies portray violence in their advertising and would levy a tax on their products.

"Once it's reviewed, the tax would be levied swiftly," he said.

The longtime Republican said he also would take aim at obesity by levying a tax on soft drinks with added sugar. Locke said he also would like to eliminate city governments to avoid duplication of services and would place more power in commissioners courts across the state.

Locke faces Republican Gov. Rick Perry, consultant Larry Kilgore and Rhett Smith, a businessman involved in private security, in the GOP March primary race.

Also found this quote straight from the Donkey's mouth that it's 100% not 50% right here (http://www.starovertexas.com/family_security_and_protection_act.html)

[shieryda]

well...if they COULD get property taxes out, I could live with that. But otherwise, yea. Looks like I'm gonna have to like...vote now or something.

Voting is something you should already take pride in doing, anyways.;)

[shipwreck]

That guy won't get elected. I wouldn't worry about this.

[mietha]

There is NO way this would stand up in a federal court. Leave it to Texas...

[NoRain]

Soft drinks, video games, and abortions. Seems like they are trying to make the kids pay for their land. Pick on the people who are too young to vote. What a smart idea. Should add it to board games, bicycles, formula, and diapers too.

[nefaquotek]

I am pretty sure too that it wont pass. I just want to make sure it doesn't.

[Reality's Fringe]

This was posted over at GamePolitics a few days ago, and they have a picture of him if you're interested. http://gamepolitics.livejournal.com/183912.html I wouldn't worry. Also note that Locke is a rancher and builder. I wonder why he wants to shift tax from property?

[nefaquotek]

This was posted over at GamePolitics a few days ago, and they have a picture of him if you're interested. http://gamepolitics.livejournal.com/183912.html I wouldn't worry. Also note that Locke is a rancher and builder. I wonder why he wants to shift tax from property?

Thanks, ya he looks like a loser that wont make it. That's a tremendous cost for abortions...... but that concerns me less. Most of my friends are just complaining about the soft drinks.

[Kayden]

$10,000 tax on abortion!? Don't people have abortions (partially) because they can't afford a damn kid?

[Vegan]

The new taxes sound ridiculous but don't underestimate how appealing it will be to older people who the new taxes won't affect. Hey, no more property taxes, and instead a tax on things that they don't buy? Doubleplusgood for those people. The bill has a decent chance of losing but it probably won't go down in as much flames as you might expect.

[evanft]

http://www.poe-news.com/imgs/story/44228-vote-kinky.jpg

[Strell]

http://www.poe-news.com/imgs/story/44228-vote-kinky.jpg

YES.

[gambitmachete]

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3147454

Basically in March, people will vote whether "violent" video games, abortions and soda drinks (I know..... they have so much in common) have a 50% sales tax.


What they have in common is that they are the three awesomest things in the world. Duh.

[Skelah]

somebody just wants attention it would never go down if it did..every game retailer in texas would go out of buisness people would buy there games online.

[FurryCurry]

This has no chance of passing simiply because it's so garsh darn unethical and insane. 50% tax on M rated games? Who are they trying to protect here. Why not just make a law that bans stores from selling M rated games to minors. If not then the store has to pay some sort of fee. And the abortion part? That actually has a somewhat decent chance of passing, I just hope the adoption and foster home and orphanage infrastructure can handle so many unwanted children. And the soda tax? Might as well increase the tax on alcholic beverages.

This bill is so freaking silly. I'd laugh in this fool's face.

Can a person under 17 buy a rated R movie?

[javeryh]

Actually, that was just a "sin tax" proposal by a fringe candidate for Governor, and has about a 0.0% chance of actually becoming a law. And even if it did, so what? It'd get struck down the first time it was challenged in a court.
http://gamepolitics.livejournal.com/183912.html

Exactly.

[dpatel]

although I doubt this will get passed, I definitely voting against it. I hope all of you do the same. 50% tax is insane.

[Strell]

Man. I am so going to open up a mature game only store and card people at the door.

I will ask politicians, concerned parents, and Jack Thompson for funds.

And then when I get them, I'm going to make a pool full of money and swim in it.

[My Name Is BoB]

We had a proposed law in Amarillo that was voted down a couple months back about a smoking ban inside restraunts. If a smoking ban doesn't pass, then a 50% tax surely won't either.

[Mr. Anderson]

We had a proposed law in Amarillo that was voted down a couple months back about a smoking ban inside restraunts. If a smoking ban doesn't pass, then a 50% tax surely won't either.

That's not too out there, indoor smoking is completely outlawed down here in Austin. And :applause: to evanft, anybody who lives in Texas needs to vote for Kinky this November.

[Ikohn4ever]

http://www.poe-news.com/imgs/story/44228-vote-kinky.jpg


Kinky is the man. Where the hell would you find a Jewish Cowboy running for govenor and especially texas.

[alonzomourning23]

I think the abortion tax, more than anything else, is the real legal issue here.

[help1]

thats more retarded than me.

[FurryCurry]

Man. I am so going to open up a mature game only store and card people at the door.

I will ask politicians, concerned parents, and Jack Thompson for funds.

And then when I get them, I'm going to make a pool full of money and swim in it.

I'm with ya!

Ban the kids.

Not the games.

Go Joe.

[nefaquotek]

What they have in common is that they are the three awesomest things in the world. Duh.

I do love games, but I am against abortion. Nothing against soft drinks (drank plenty myself) but so far I am living without them.

I wonder how they will get revenue since the property tax is going away since I do believe I heard that the supreme court declared it unconstitutional.

One way or another I am being screwed.

[dratsacras]

Yet again, folks, be advised that THIS IS NOT A BILL CURRENTLY BEING CONSIDERED. This is one nutball candidate's wacky idea for punishing people for engaging in behaviour of which he does not personally approve. For the THREAT of this tax proposal to be legitimate, this Star Locke guy would not only have to be chosen by his party in the primaries to run INSTEAD OF AN INCUMBENT GOVERNOR, but he'd have to win the gubernatorial (that's "for Governor" for you kids) race, and THEN he'd actually have to change the Texas tax code COMPLETELY to eliminate property tax and install his ridiculous alternative. I know Texas is full of the kinds of people who would vote a drunk-driving cocaine-addicted retard into the Governor's Mansion but the odds of THIS guy getting his way are pretty long. Your video games, abortions, and soda pop are not at risk, folks.

Well, maybe your abortions, but that's a whole other conversation.

[eldad9]

I do love games, but I am against abortion.

Let's do this: Since you're against abortion, don't have any. See, I'm against soda, so I just don't have any; I don't try to prevent other people from drinking it (well, maybe by stating my anti-soda view if the subject comes up).

But I know nothing gives me the right to prevent other people from drinking it.

[62t]

The cigarettes tax in Montreal is 50%. So it wont be totally shocking if it did happen.

[Reality's Fringe]

Man. I am so going to open up a mature game only store and card people at the door.

I will ask politicians, concerned parents, and Jack Thompson for funds.

And then when I get them, I'm going to make a pool full of money and swim in it.


Sounds good to me. Man, that'd be the seediest, rockin'est, most erotic gamestore in the hood. Ya HEARD?!

[gambitmachete]

I do love games, but I am against abortion. Nothing against soft drinks (drank plenty myself) but so far I am living without them.

Yeah, I was just joking. The only thing on that list I am really down with is the soda drinks. :mrgreen:

[zionoverfire]

I hope it passes, I firmly believe that if we remove the few entertaining things the state may infact implode and we can welcome in our neighbors from the north to fill the void.

[gambitmachete]

I hope it passes, I firmly believe that if we remove the few entertaining things the state may infact implode and we can welcome in our neighbors from the north to fill the void.

I think it would be awesome if the U.S. just suddenly gave Texas to Mexico. And then filmed the ensuing carnage to create the greatest documentary EVER. Too bad President Turd likes playing cowboy too much to ever do such a thing.

[MrBadExample]

I'm just curious if a good lawyer could argue that since the bill states "any form of human violence" and there are no real humans being harmed in video games (just virtual ones) that the tax can't be levied. :lol:

[Kayden]

I'm just curious if a good lawyer could argue that since the bill states "any form of human violence" and there are no real humans being harmed in video games (just virtual ones) that the tax can't be levied. :lol:



Good try, but "simulated human violence" is part of any form.

[Reality's Fringe]

OP, might want to update the thread. from Static3d, apparently it's a 100% tax:
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3147454

[botticus]

OP, might want to update the thread. from Static3d, apparently it's a 100% tax:
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3147454
That's not too bad.. the next GTA would only cost $100 in Texas.

[mykevermin]

I'd rather abolish property tax by taxing the fuck out of religion. Anyone who believes that their place of worship keeps out of politics in this day and age (and thus compromises their tax-free status) is living in an archaic world of delusion.

Or they're Episcopalian. Fuckin' fence sitters. ;)

[javeryh]

I'd rather abolish property tax by taxing the fuck out of religion.

Amen. Religion has got to go. I can't wait until science disproves the existence of God.

[MrBadExample]

Amen. Religion has got to go. I can't wait until science disproves the existence of God.
You're still waiting? :lol:

[Strell]

Can we please not turn this into a religion debate? It's not like there is a need for it to be discussed. This isn't even the debate forum.

However, I will say that myke brings up a good point that I agree with - I fail to see why religions aren't taxed. I guess it's the separation of church and state thing, even though there's a double (if not triple) standard at play with this philosophy.

[LinkinPrime]

http://www.poe-news.com/imgs/story/44228-vote-kinky.jpg

:rofl:

[nefaquotek]

Let's do this: Since you're against abortion, don't have any. See, I'm against soda, so I just don't have any; I don't try to prevent other people from drinking it (well, maybe by stating my anti-soda view if the subject comes up).

But I know nothing gives me the right to prevent other people from drinking it.

I agree with you completely. We may have antiviews on such subjects but we are not trying to impose them on to other people.

I feel far better knowing this moron wont get his strange little dream. I do wonder, is there anyone in the gaming industry even lobbying for us.......

[Vegan]

Amen. Religion has got to go. I can't wait until science disproves the existence of God.

That isn't even remotely what he suggested.

[mykevermin]

That isn't even remotely what he suggested.

If you're referring to me, I suppose you're right. I don't care about doing away with religion (though it's influence on politics is another matter entirely). I don't subscribe to the Tejas politician's philosophy, that we tax things into nonexistence - after all, it's done virtually nothing to the tobacco industry.

I do subscribe to taxing things that ought to be taxed - namely, organizations who take part in trying to influence our system of governing.

[javeryh]

That isn't even remotely what he suggested.

I know. I was agreeing with his proposition to tax the fuck out of Religion and then offering up my own opinion that "religion has got to go" because a large tax levied against religious organizations would likely drive them into the ground (people need cigarettes more than religion).

[Vegan]

a large tax levied against religious organizations would likely drive them into the ground (people need cigarettes more than religion).

I'm not a religious person but I think you underestimate most church-goers. :)

[GuilewasNK]

The cigarettes tax in Montreal is 50%. So it wont be totally shocking if it did happen.

I wonder if that has something to do with their healthcare system though.

[javeryh]

I'm not a religious person but I think you underestimate most church-goers. :)

Sadly, you are 100% right. :D

[AYATOLA]

This part is what bothers me. Basically they're going to take the property tax and make people pay for it through things that they don't like. There are so many things wrong with this I hope it doesn't pass at all. Though knowing how most of the voting community is usually older people, ones who don't usually drink 'soda', have abortions much or buy the occasional 'violent' video game, it'll probably go through.

yeah, but removing property tax would completely ruin the texas public budget. Community colleges will cost as much as institutions and there would have to be a new rate set on school tax to be able to pay for public schools. Also, the idea of taxing abortion would only force more "south of the border" abortions.

IT breaks down like this, don't pay your property tax and lose your house.
Don't wanna pay BS tax just use the internet or vacation to Mexico for your abortion.

The idea would completely ruin any "progress" made in education and with the rising cost of college education that would be incured we would have a state full of people with either usual debt and a k-12 education or extreme debt and a avg. college education.

Simply he's better off taxing what us texan's need, BBQ and Shiner Bock!

[crazytalkx]

This is all the law Texas needs
http://www.monkeyview.net/id/2470/default/Chuck_Norris.jpg

[Spacepest]

The new taxes sound ridiculous but don't underestimate how appealing it will be to older people who the new taxes won't affect. Hey, no more property taxes, and instead a tax on things that they don't buy? Doubleplusgood for those people. The bill has a decent chance of losing but it probably won't go down in as much flames as you might expect.

Agreed. I was reading the article and saw "no more property taxes" and thought--WOOHOO--that's the state a person might want to retire in. Conservative older people who don't buy video games, drink alot of soda, and whose kids are grown, out of those house, and don't need any more public schooling, and have outdated genitals would eat this stuff up. So would rich people with transportation...imagine owning a mansion in Texas and having no property taxes on it. If you wanted an abortion, cheap soda and video games, all you would have to do is go over state lines to buy this stuff. Local schools gone to hell--rich people could send thier kids to private school.

This proposal is so wrong on so many levels. And as a person with a working uterus, no way in good conscience could I even recommend these proposals passing.

(On another note: in the future I wouldn't be surprised if we see more ridiculous proposals like this as the Baby Boomer population finally hits old retirement age).

[ChubbyChase]

I don't know why they're adding a 50% tax on violent games. There's a rating on it. If it's rated "M" for mature don't buy it for a 10yr old. If a person can't tell fantasy from reality, they need help. I'm glad I don't live there.

[Quackzilla]

Eh, who cares? It's just Texas.

[WebScud]

Eh, who cares? It's just Texas.

8-[

Watch you back, for Chuck Norris may hurt you.

A 50% tax passed on content has to step of freedom of speech. No one is going to pay $90 for a next-gen GTA.

I'd like to see a video game publishers step shit up and take this guys on balls out. Maybe the next GTA can only be bought online via Rockstar North out of Canada. Yet, it's shipped from the US. No sales tax anywhere and cheap shipping, not to mention no age laws since you're buying from another country.

Even though I think that retailers (and parents) should respect the ESRB ratings, the industry needs to stop grabbing their ankles for power hungry politicans.