No sales tax, period. Back in the 1950s, Delaware had a 10% luxury tax on jewelry. So, every time you bought a piece of jewelry, you paid a tax of 10 cents on the dollar. This did not last long!
Out-of-state people, whether coming to their vacation homes in Sussex County or just crossing the line to shop, come here because we have no sales tax. Now, you might say this hurts Delaware residents. I think not, because, while they are here, they go to restaurants, fill up their gas tanks, pay tolls and spend on other items that have taxes on them but not visible sales taxes. Many own second homes and pay property and local taxes.
Those whose primary residences are in other states that have sales taxes hold their spending and buy big-ticket items in Delaware, like computers and appliances. This helps Delaware businesses and the Delaware economy.
Plus, we get to brag about it on signs on the Delaware state lines.
The Delaware legislature needs to learn how to budget. Do more with less. Have professionals from the corporate real world teach legislators how to budget.
As to how to save money, get a handle on Medicare and Medicaid fraud in this state. Get people off the rolls that should not be receiving the benefits and check the bills for items that people on the programs did not receive but are being billed for. Also, check and make sure that people who are here illegally do not receive benefits they are not entitled to, including Social Security.
I’m sure you could find millions of dollars, if not a billion, from waste, fraud and abuse.
Deirdre Taylor
Lewes and Newark
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
