TAX: 6 percent solution

If Governor Otter is enforcing the 6 percent sales tax on Amazon online purchases to encourage Idaho residents to shop locally, perhaps he should reconsider his recent opposition to lifting the 6 percent sales tax on groceries. Idaho is one of only seven states that tax groceries at the same rate as other goods. Ten other states also tax groceries, but at a reduced rate (most around 1 percent) and 33 states do not tax groceries at all, recognizing that taxing the food people need to eat for life is an onerous burden.

In addition to this repressive grocery tax, Idaho’s income tax burden ranks 19th highest, but by population we are in the lower dozen, and in density only five states enjoy more space per person. Most Idahoans would agree we are fortunate by virtue of our low population/density to have fewer problems in our state than most others, so wonder at the necessity to be in these higher tax burden categories. It is a short drive across the border to a grocery tax-free state and some do. So Governor Otter, apply your logic to the local grocery stores: Repeal the grocery tax!

DENISE GRAVES

Hayden Lake