Editorial

West Virginians don't need yet another tax

'Bottle bills' are well intended, but costs and risks are too high

BY now, West Virginians are familiar with the procedure. Proponents of recycling propose that all consumers cheerfully pay 10-cent refundable deposits on the roughly 1 billion beverage containers sold in the state - this in addition to the state's "pop tax."

Each year, backers of a "bottle bill" that would cost consumers millions and millions of dollars come up with a new contention. This year, it's that higher taxes create employment.

"This is a job-creating bill," said Gary Zuckett, director of the West Virginia Citizens Action Group.

Supporters said the bill created 250 to 350 new jobs in Vermont.

Opponents point out, sensibly, that 10-cent deposits amount to a tax increase on beverages. People in rural areas would have to travel far to redeem their con-

tainers, said Greg Sayre of the Association of Independent & Professional Recyclers.

It could also cost the state $50 million a year to implement such a bill, Sayre said.

West Virginians want to end littering and keep the state clean, but bottle bill proponents have yet

to design a plan that will reduce littering without inconveniencing consumers and costing them a fortune.

Arguing that a bottle bill would create new jobs hardly makes the case for one. Building pyramids would also create new jobs, but that doesn't mean it would be smart policy.

The last thing West Virginians need is a new tax - especially one that could send shoppers in border

counties out of state for lower prices, and send those states' consumers trickling into West Virginia to redeem cans they didn't buy here.

http://www.dailymail.com/Opinion/Editorials/200902220226