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Latest Taxpayer's Tab: Bag Tax

In this week's edition of the Taxpayer's Tab, NTUF analyzed a handful of new bills we've scored as part of the BillTally research project, including a new tax on disposable bags introduced by Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA).

H.R. 1686 was introduced the day after Earth Day, and would institute a five-cent tax on all disposable bags issued during retail sales. Businesses would be responsible for picking up the tab, and the tax revenue raised would go into a new Land and Water Conservation Fund to be used for environmental projects. Part of the revenue would also go towards tax credit payments to businesses that participate in certain recycling programs. Based on data concerning yearly disposable bag use from Rep. Moran's office, NTUF estimated the bill would cost at least $4.08 billion in the first year.

Also featured this week:

• Least Expensive: H.R. 1202/S. 547, the One Percent Spending Reduction Act of 2013, was introduced in the House and Senate by Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA) and Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY), respectively. The bill would cap discretionary and mandatory spending at the previous fiscal year's level, minus one percent, and eventually to 18 percent of GDP. NTUF scored the bill as an $83 billion one-year savings, or $166 billion over two years.
• Most Friended: H.R. 1406, the Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013, was introduced by Rep. Martha Roby (R-AL) and had 158 cosponsors in the House (all Republican). A "no-cost" regulatory bill under BillTally methodology, the legislation would grant comp time in lieu of overtime pay to private sector workers, an option that is currently available to federal employees. The bill would not affect federal outlays.
• The Wildcard: Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA) also introduced H.R. 1195, the International Conservation Corps Act of 2013, which would establish an international program to assist foreign countries in conservation efforts. It would increase federal spending by $10 million per year, or $50 million over 5 years.

For more information on these bills and their sponsors, check out the Tab online. If you'd like to receive future editions via email, be sure to sign up here.

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