What would Sammy Davis, Jr. think?

OK, he’s dead. But if he were alive, would the Candy Man agree that a Twix Bar is NOT candy? What if what the Candy Man made was licorice and was determined by the bureaucrats at the state Department of Revenue to not be candy either? What if malted milk balls were free of taxation in the state of Washington?

Talk about your childhood wishes!

The list of what is candy and what isn’t has been released (and a big box of Big Hunks to Jason Mercier for finding it). We’ve created a searchable database on which you can look up your favorite candy – or foodstuff. The list has provoked a bit of discussion in the newsroom. For instance, why is a Reese’s with peanuts taxable but Reese’s Sticks exempt? And why is the Big Hunk taxable and the Look bar not. And why is a Snickers bar taxable but a Snickers Cruncher exempt? What, exactly IS a Snickers Cruncher?

The answer appears to be flour. In the law passed by the Legislature, the definition for candy comes from the national streamlined sales tax group:

“‘Candy’ means a preparation of sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, or other ingredients or flavorings in the form of bars, drops, or pieces. ‘Candy’ does not include any preparation containing flour and does not require refrigeration.”

As Mercier says: “There you have it. Clear as fudge.”

Wait, is fudge taxable? Read more »

Here is how legislators from South Sound districts voted on the final consideration of budget and tax bills in the final days of the 2010 special session.

Senate Bill 6444: Adopting the 2010 Supplemental Operating Budget, modifying the 2009-11 biennial appropriations for the various agencies and programs of the state.

Passed in the House by a 54 to 43 vote on Monday.
VOTING YES
Rep. Sam Hunt, D-Olympia
Rep. Dawn Morrell, D-Puyallup
Rep. Jeannie Darneille, D-Tacoma
Rep. Dennis Flannigan, D-Tacoma
Rep. Tami Green, D-Lakewood
Rep. Steve Conway, D-Tacoma
Rep. Steve Kirby, D-Tacoma
Rep. Tina Orwall, D-Normandy Park
Rep. Mark Miloscia, D-Federal Way
Rep. Dave Upthegrove, D-Des Moines
Rep. Pat Sullivan, D-Covington

VOTING NO
Rep. Troy Kelley, D-Tacoma
Rep. Brendan Williams, D-Olympia
Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor
Rep. Christopher Hurst, D-Enumclaw
Rep. Tom Campbell, R-Roy
Rep. Jim McCune, R-Graham
Rep. Bruce Dammeier, R-Puyallup
Rep. Jan Angel, R – Port Orchard
Rep. Skip Priest, R-Federal Way
Rep. Dan Roach, R-Bonney Lake
Rep. Geoff Simpson, D-Covington

Passed by the Senate Monday on a 25 to 21 vote.

VOTING YES
Sen. Karen Fraser, D-Thurston County
Sen. Jim Kastama, D-Puyallup
Sen. Debbie Regala, D-Tacoma
Sen. Tracey Eide, D-Federal Way
Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent
Sen. Claudia Kauffman, D-Kent
Sen. Rosa Franklin, D-Tacoma

VOTING NO
Sen. Randi Becker, R-Eatonville
Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor
Sen. Michael Carrell, R-Lakewood
Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn

Read more »

People with a sweet tooth take a hit under Gov. Chris Gregoire’s tax proposals.

Applying the sales tax to candy and gum would raise $28 million, Gregoire’s office says, a fraction of the $605 million she wants to raise in total.

There’s also $94 million in revenue from slapping a 5 cent tax on a 12-ounce can of any carbonated beverage. Another $8 million would come from repealing a tax credit for pop syrup.

Gregoire told reporters she picked items to tax that represent discretionary spending by consumers, from cigarettes to bottled water to candy.

Candy’s not the only …

Read more »